Sick of Constant Pings, They're Sending Texts at the Speed of Carrier Pigeon (nytimes.com)

> Like real birds, the digital pigeons have a chance of getting lost or dying — 0.2 percent. Buying a new one within the app will run you 99 cents.

Cute concept (it's like skeuomorphism for the transport layer), but IAP for buying new pigeons is typical lousy monetization.