A service which allows me to upload a document (PDF, .doc, whatever), input an address and then pay for it to be printed and sent to that address via mail (courier optional).
I'd use this service so much:
1. Printers are fast becoming a thing of the past. How often will people need to use printers in five years time?
2. Lots of government functions still require printed documents (heck, even Twitter insisted that I fax them something a few years back).
3. Post boxes, stamps and envelopes are a pain to get individually.
Large chains like FedEx could implement this really efficiently since they already have offices all over the world. They can just print off at the nearest location to the target and minimize their expense. Getting a printed document hand delivered in an envelope can have a lot more impact over simply sending an email or fax.
On the same vein, someone could write software allowing individuals or organizations to set up a remote print-and-pickup service.
For example, every campus would hugely benefit from a service where students could just email a document to a specific address (smith.hall.printer@mycollege.com), have 5 cents a page automatically charged to their account, and pick up their assignment on their way to class to hand it in.
Students used to running around residence looking for someone with a printer, or sprinting to the library with a USB stick would be all over the service. Someone just needs to write a simple application that connects the dots and market it to campuses.
----
Reply From: smith.hall.printer@mycollege.com
Your document has been printed and 25 cents charged to your account.
I had this exact same idea last week but it'd be a tough one to crack. The devil's in the details of the operation.
You'd have to solve at least the following problems: Print/sorting/packaging/mailing, privacy (most of the stuff you "need" to print is confidential), timeliness (usually when I print I need it NOW, like when closing a sale on a house)
But if you can solve them, or at least start to, I think it'd be a great opportunity.
I've got a similar idea I've been working on called EasyPost.co. I'm not sure where it's going yet--I know a lot is broken within postage but that's an area I've thought about
Interesting. I'd have thought the few things that needed to be printed would also need some sort of physical signature as well. Do you not find that to be the case? What situations do you find yourself in that would call for such a service?
Would it make sense more for mass physical mailings via an API?
What a great idea for an API that's connected to an existing app/programming like Evernote/Notability/Office and linked to an established network of "member" vendors like UPS/FedexKinkos/USPS/colleges.
The difficulty with faxing something is that it's even more out of date than printing something. I don't have a printer, but at least I know a store where I can buy one. I've got no idea where the fuck I'd go to buy a fax machine.
There is such a thing as an e-fax (you send an email and it magically turns into a fax on the other side). I have only seen it from one side and do not have any details, though.
When I was doing Lots Of Paperwork for something, I'd often print out reams at the office and fax reams back. I consider myself rather fortunate that no one ever complained; being friends with the receptionist (who sits next to the fax and was thus ideally suited to calling me out on excessive usage of office equipment for personal use) probably helped.
I've used e-faxes before, but isn't it predicated by the other side (the tax office, or whoever) having either a fax machine or the inclination to accept an e-fax?
Same applies to me 99% of the time. I sign everything digitally using Preview.app in OS X.
I also like to print and send things when it's an old person's birthday (used Apple's Cards app recently and it was brilliant, although a relative was baffled and believed me to be in Prague since it was posted from there).
I'd use this service so much:
1. Printers are fast becoming a thing of the past. How often will people need to use printers in five years time?
2. Lots of government functions still require printed documents (heck, even Twitter insisted that I fax them something a few years back).
3. Post boxes, stamps and envelopes are a pain to get individually.