New App Eliminates Junk Mail

If you've ever opened a junk-packed mailbox and wished you could somehow wave away all those pesky ads, Catalog Choice's new iPhone app, MailStop, might be a good fit for you. While it won't obliterate junk mail instantly, the app makes the process of eradicating it from your life pretty simple: Just snap a photo of the offending item, upload the picture, and Catalog Choice takes care of the rest.

The company will "communicate opt-out requests and monitor compliance" for a variety of unwanted items, including unsolicited catalogs, credit-card offers, coupon sheets, and requests for donations. The first five opt-outs are free. After that, you can eliminate five more pointless catalogs for $1.99, or 50 tree-killing advertisements for $14.99. Just remember: It won't help to try zapping away those outrageous holiday-shopping bills; unfortunately, there isn't an app for that . . . yet.

--Della Watson