Intelligent Stamps - 03 September 2010

Today the Royal Mail have launched their first "intelligent stamp" and being keen on the useful development of technology I was delighted. The UK has always been at the forfront of postal services with the first "Bishop marks" printed onto letters in the City of London in 1661; and the first adhesive stamp investned by Rowland Hill in 1837; and the launch of the first recognisable stamp in 1840 - the "Penny Black" featuring Queen Victoria's head. However............

The intelligent stamp uses technology to interact with an iphone which then provides more information and a story behind the theme featured on the stamp. At one level this is a great promotional device for people here in the UK and abroad to learn about our history. However in times of budget restraint I cannot help thinking this development is a distraction. Could technology be used more usefully? For example, could senders switch on their iphone to see where their letter is physically? or if there is an additional amount to pay because I didnt pay enough for my oversize or overweight envelope, could an intelligent stamp not tell me what the additional fee is and even seek my authority to debit my bank account? 

As Royal Mail has identified, technology is there to be used; we just need to use it usefully.