Apps aim to revive tradition of hand-written notes

TORONTO (Reuters) – Whether it’s a heartfelt note to a loved one or a thank you letter following a job interview, new apps are aiming to revive the tradition of hand-written notes with a high-tech twist.

Bond Gifts, a free app for iPhones, lets users write a digital message that is converted into a hand-written note. A robot called Giles at the company’s New York headquarters writes the letter with a fountain pen on embossed stationery.

The notes are sent in the mail, complete with a wax seal, to the recipient.

“It’s a way to marry technology with tradition. When you get the mail there’s never anything good anymore because we’re all communicating digitally,” said Sonny Caberwal, founder and chief executive officer of Bond Gifting, which created the app.

“People might think about writing a note, but very few people actually do it,” he said, adding it is a quick way to provide a personal touch.
The user types the message and provides the recipient’s address, or the app can find the address for the sender. Each hand-written note costs $5.

The app also sells and sends gifts, such as books and candles, with a hand-written note within the United States. It also keeps track of birthdays and special events.