iCard Service Ends with Introduction of MobileMe

 

The WWDC 2008 keynote today saw the rebranding of the .Mac package, yet again. There are certainly some nice features being added, such as push email, contacts and calendars, revamped web interface, and storage upgrades. You can read more about the MobileMe features here.

However, we should take this time to mourn the loss of a very dear friend: iCards.

iCards was introduced with the introduction of iTools (the precursor to .Mac) back in 2000, in the OS 9 days. The service has remained practically the same, and has always been my favorite way of sending cards to all of my friends and family online. MobileMe will see the discontinuation of iCards. Everyone should take a moment of silence to commemorate the passing of an age.

June 9, 2008 9:32 pm Add a comment
Under: Apple, Articles
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Comments (17) Leave a Comment
  1. Marco July 15th, 2008 at 13:03 | #1
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    What Icard is AXED? why I love Icard

  2. Jeremiah July 16th, 2008 at 09:29 | #2
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    I can’t believe iCards are getting the axe. That’s not a cool move at all. For shame, Steve, for shame.

  3. corky July 17th, 2008 at 02:35 | #3
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    i agree! icards was the best way to send an e-card. they were simple but classy. apple is making a misstep with the discontinuation of a great service…

  4. Debbie July 17th, 2008 at 10:40 | #4
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    How dare they discontine iCards, it was one of the nice features that was a cut above! Shame on Apple for leaving us in the dust, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

  5. Terri July 17th, 2008 at 11:57 | #5
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    WHAT?!!! I used iCard all the time! Its the only non-cheesy ecard option that I’ve seen. C’mon Steve – bring it back. Harumph!

  6. Matt July 18th, 2008 at 10:40 | #6
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    I think that it was a horrible move to remove this great service. It’s a sad day.

  7. andrew July 18th, 2008 at 15:42 | #7
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    Delivr is a good replacement to icards,
    very similar.. but no Cupertino watermark…

  8. Tom July 21st, 2008 at 19:13 | #8
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    I will miss iCards. Many other greeting card sites grab the email address of the sender and receiver and sell them to smamers. I knew I could trust Apple

  9. Juju July 26th, 2008 at 14:54 | #9
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    Icard was the best way to send e-cards on the WEB, really different of others ecards services. It was a very good showcase of the Apple’s spirit. Why this service is now down?
    I agree with others comments to say the Apple’s staff make a big mistake by closing this service

  10. Morridin July 27th, 2008 at 20:21 | #10
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    I am little sad … yes I am … :-/

    Didn’t recognize before and just wanted to send some love card … well … I’ll look for a paper and a pencil …

  11. Matt July 29th, 2008 at 10:14 | #11
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    I just purchased a family pack subscription for MobileMe and while I like the service a lot and find it more useful than .Mac ever was, I have to say that iCards and .Mac Groups are two things that I wish hadn’t have went away with the rebranding.

    There is plenty of discussion on the topic in the Apple Discussions for MobileMe. And of course, everyone is encouraged to send feedback to Apple so we may be heard and possibly have some of these services restored in the future.

  12. Jim August 1st, 2008 at 02:09 | #12
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    There’s a petition to bring back iCards here.

    Jim

  13. MacSmiley August 3rd, 2008 at 09:22 | #13
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    I am very upset with Apple for nixing the .Mac services… especially iCards.

    iCard sent to Steve Jobs

    They were simple, they were elegant, and they didn’t plaster recipients with advertisements, HTML, and flashing GIFS.

    I got responses from sending iCards I never got from sending emails… not even emails with pictures. The combination of whimsical images and text in one small, savable JPEG in the iCard message was hard to resist.

    Despite some less handsome alternatives, iWant Apple iCards Back!!

  14. Matt August 3rd, 2008 at 09:31 | #14
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    @MacSmiley

    I think your comment was worded well and accurately describes the reasons why those who knew of iCards yearn for the return of the service.

    Hopefully this will be one of the ‘features’ added in the upcoming months.

  15. MacSmiley August 16th, 2008 at 14:32 | #15
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    Since the Apple Discussions Moderators deleted this comment, I am plastering it all over the Internet!

    Everyone, call Apple Customer Relations at this number to complain (I found it was the best # to call after trying several). They say number of complaints matters. 800-767-2775

    — k2graphics

  16. Bummed Dude July 31st, 2009 at 15:05 | #16
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    It totally blows that iCards got eliminated…

  17. alejandra December 22nd, 2009 at 13:24 | #17
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    Hi,
    Does anyone know if its possible to create eCards on Iweb, I’m a graphic designer and want to set up a page so ppl can send free eCards from my website, is this possible?

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