Carrier Pidge App Sends Photos at Pigeon Speed

A new iOS app called Carrier Pidge, created by Noah Iarrobino, simulates sending messages via virtual carrier pigeons, with delivery times based on real distances and pigeon flight speeds. The app, which took three weeks to build, was released months before a similar app called Roost launched on iOS and Android. Users add friends to their 'flock' and send text or photo messages via a virtual pigeon. For example, a message from Boston to Maine (105 miles) takes about an hour at an average speed of 110 mph, nearly twice as fast as real carrier pigeons. However, there is a 0.2% chance the virtual pigeon dies and the message is not delivered. The app is free and described as 'dumb fun' by the creator. The article notes that photographers have embraced slower methods, such as a camera that mails prints. The app was coded with AI, which the author prefers over using AI for other purposes like making movies. The article was published on PetaPixel on August 17, 2026, and includes a tweet from Iarrobino dated August 12, 2026, stating that messages from LA to NYC take 22 hours.