The sun is shining, we've had bucket-loads of ice-cream and this year's sunglasses have been christened.

Just in time for summer, we've made it to the number two slot in Photography on iTunes in Luxembourg, Switzerland and Malta. 

I'm sure that there's a limerick here somewhere.

But this one's only got four lines. Hmm.

We're giving away lots of postcards just in time to help you celebrate the holidays!

Share a favourite Christmas photo (past or present) on our Facebook wall here and ask your friends to 'Like' them. The first 100 posters* will receive a free postcard and if your photo gets 4-or-more 'Likes' we will gift you another postcard.

Follow us on Twitter and keep sharing the following tweet for yet more chances to win postcards:

In the run up to New Year's Day we'll pick five winners at random every week from our Twitter stream and gift each of them a pack of five Touchnote postcards.

And don't forget you can send Touchnotes from your iPhone, iPad, or Android mobile as well as direct from the Web. Pick a photo, customise it, add your message then select recipients  and we'll take care of the rest. Share those special moments with friends and family who can't be with you: decorating the tree, wrapping presents, Christmas lunch, and use Touchnotes as the perfect way to send a "thank-you" for each and every gift. 

*Please note each entry must be from a unique Facebook user name.

Merry Christmas!

The Touchnote Team 

Apple (you might have heard of them) today announced that they have decided to follow Touchnote into the mobile postcards market. They also released a new phone.

New CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, wasn't available to talk to us, but we were able to get an exclusive, considered quote from co-founder Raam Thakrar of Touchnote:

“We know how important it is to print photos and share photos so that they can be treasured. It seems others are realising this, too. But, wow, their cards are pricey.”

In a more sober vein, it's hard to know how to react when a big player moves into your industry, some of our thoughts are:

- it's flattering and exciting to have your business validated

- it's also scary when that 'validation' is from Apple

- we’ve been doing this since 2008, having sent cards to over 200 countries and territories.

- when a big company gets involved in activities that aren't its core focus, there's no guarantee that they'll make a good job of it

- our print and delivery is second-to-none, despite our cards being half the price of Apple

- our iPhone app remains excellent (have you tried the latest version)?

- we're pre-installed on all major Sony Ericsson Android devices

- we love iPhones, but not everyone is on them. Touchnote also happen to have a most excellent Android app and a website

- we've got some fantastic new features on the way for all our apps (but they're very secret)

We're quietly optimistic about what the future holds for Touchnote. Even with Apple trying to take a bite.