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Daily iPhone App: Cardflick

by Steven Sande Sep 27th 2011 at 2:00PM

Over the years since the iPhone first appeared on the scene, there have been several attempts to create business card apps that let you exchange contact details with friends or strangers by bumping their iPhones together (Bump, free) or tapping a button (myCard, US$0.99 or Fliq, free). One issue with these apps is that they usually require both people to have the same app installed. Now a new biz card app, Cardflick (free), has arrived on the scene.

Like those other apps, Cardflick works best if both you and the recipient of the card you're sending have the app. But you can also send a card to someone who doesn't have Cardflick installed on their iPhone. Using the Cardflick app, you gain access to a "card file in the cloud" that stores your card design and information. When you send the business card to someone without the app, they see exactly what your card looks like and receive a vCard attachment that can be used to add your contact info to Address Book.

Cardflick

Since there are other apps of this type that are already available, what makes Cardflick so compelling? The card themes -- they are very attractive and easy to change, and I have a feeling that more are on the way. Adding your info to a card takes just a few minutes, since the app just takes the basic info such as phone number, email, and website. When you're in a room with other people who have the app, you'll see a count of how many people you're sending the card to (the app uses location services to determine who is in the area). With a flick of the card, it appears on the other iPhones.

Cardflick is a snap to set up, good looking, and easy to use. Oh, and did I mention it's free? Be sure to check out the gallery for some screenshots of Cardflick in action.



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6 Comments

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Ketan Anjaria

Some great feedback here. Let me try to address some points.
Adam,
I think QR codes are a great idea but they haven't quite caught on yet. Plus QR codes have limited branding. Our goal is to eventually let you put your best foot forward visually and still connect.
Keil,
While vcard integration is great it doesn't mean it stays in sync. With our app, once you are connected, your contact info always stays in sync.
Cy,
Agreed integration is key. But hopefully we are on the right path ;-) All startups started small once right?
I do think finding the fastest way to transfer cards would be great. Whatever steps we can reduce the better. We'll think about how to improve the experience.

September 28 2011 at 7:29 AM Report abuse -2 rate up rate down Reply
Ian Webber

Of what I've heard the app requires access to your facebook account, then uses your personal facebook data to create cards but without enough options to customise that data, also creates a public profile of you on the developers website and post ads on you facebook profile.

If that's true then what's so cool about this app?

September 28 2011 at 5:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Ian Webber's comment
Ketan Anjaria

Ian,
We've now removed the facebook requirement (since earlier last week).
You are able to customize all fields on your cards. Yes your card is public right now, we are working on adding privacy options. But we don't do anything with ads at all on your facebook profile. We don't ever post anything to Facebook unless you choose to share your own card on Facebook.

September 28 2011 at 8:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cy Starkman

I agree with Adam about the misguided, but QR codes are just as misguided.

You still need an app, then open the app, then line up the camera, then take a photo, then find out if you need to take another photo cause the app didn't quite see the code. Then it processes. Then it gives you an option or 3, then you go to a website, then you enact another action.

The idea loses at step three, if not already at step one.

For any contact sharing solution to win it must be integrated, it just does it. There are so many great social/sharing/location apps in the AppStore and none will ever succeed.

September 27 2011 at 7:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Keil

If you can send vcard info, then what is the need for this app? I don't get it. If I want your info, I want it automatically in my address book.

September 27 2011 at 7:37 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Adam Rice

All these business-card apps are misguided. My approach:
1. Upload a vcard to the web somewhere.
2. Create a QR code for the vcard's URL.
3. Store the QR code on your phone. Or put it on the back of your business cards. Whatever. You can let anyone scan it and download the vcard. No special software needed.

September 27 2011 at 3:00 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
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