Amazon launched a new app for iPhone and Android today that’s designed to give people an easy way to fire off holiday greetings on the go. Called Surprise, the app allows people to pick from a variety of designs for different occasions including Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays, anniversaries and more.
Once a user has selected their design, they can include media content like a photo or video, along with additional text or audio to personalize their message. Of course, it wouldn’t be an Amazon app without the chance to give the Seattle-based company money. Surprise also lets people attach Amazon gift cards to their card, or just send a basic digital gift card with a small holiday border.
Surprise also integrates with Facebook to give users tips about what gift-worthy events are coming up in their lives.
The designs won’t bowl anyone over, but they’re a good way to quickly send someone a greeting card without having to spend a whole lot of time, or even sit down at a computer. In other words, it’s a good app for people who suddenly realize that they need to come up with a gift right away without spending a whole lot of time on it.
Surprise is also another way for Amazon to boost the sales of its gift cards at a time when they’re incredibly popular gifts. The company always does a massive business during the holiday season and this app could help them bring in more sales both now and after people get their gift cards.
