QR (Quick Response) codes are relatively known throughout the world especially in European and Asian countries. These codes are very easy to generate and to scan which is one of the main reasons I find them so appealing. They also do not require special barcode readers that most people do not have or need. So what you get is this code that looks like some sort of mind puzzle, unreadable without a computer or smartphone. Scan this code with the built-in camera, or upload the image. Then freely available software decodes and displays information.
That information might be:
• Simple text
• URL
• Email address
• Geographic location
• Price
• Calander event
• Contact information / Vcards
• Phone Number
• WiFi Network
Check out Wikipedia for a bit of history and technical knowledge
 |
| Image 1: QREncoder is available in the App Store |
 |
| Image 2: Play around with the colours also and error connection level, as well being able to post the QR code image on Facebook or Twitter |
Popularity
According to comScore there were 20 million in the US that scanned a QR code in one month alone so their use is quite common and there is marketing potential there.
 |
| Image 3: Retail and grocery audience on the rise |
Conveniently Time Saving and Helpful
Supermarket chain Tesco in Korea created Tesco Homeplus Virtual Stores (Video) in subways and metro stations (Image 4) that made it convenient for workers during their commute to do their shopping at the same time. These scanned items would be added to their cart and delivered at home. It truly does bring the shopping to the shoppers. Combine QR codes with a webstore and it would allow people the flexability to do their shopping whenever and wherever they go.
 |
| Image 4: Yes, looks real but this is a virtual store on the train platform |
The Bahn transit authority in Germany have introduced posters with QR codes that give commuters dynamic and upto date information on travel, connections, points of interest (POIs) and special promotions. They have also implemented the Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol on the posters making them probably the most advanced posters in the world. As a recently graduated university student who did his fair share of poster work, this is an excellent idea to direct viewers / readers to additional on the fly and take home information.
Make it a Competition
The fast food and supermarket chains have the widest reaching ability to increase the use of this technology. There are a few case studies going around, the best is when Mountain Dew and Taco Bell in the US created a promotion that allowed customers to scan QR codes on drink cups to get free music downloads.
 |
| Image 5: Over 200,000 QR code scans for free music |
Oh Google
 |
| Image 6: Google Favourite Places (window shopfront decal sticker) |
I created a QR code (Image 7) and posted it as my Facebook display pic, made a few posts in a page called Griffith Stalkerspace as bait and waited to see if anyone would catch on. I got caught hook, line and sinker.
 |
| Image 7: Testing QR Codes out socially |
Hell you can create your own QR code shirt if you are looking for attention. Or if you would like something more permanent, perhaps a QR code tattoo (Video) might tickle you fancy to show your devotion to your wife or whatever. Keep in mind that technology might not catch on or last forever so you might just regret that one. So in the words of a sleazy analogy: Like making a porno with Betamax instead of VHS. There has also been a proof of concept called TimeStation that uses QR codes to mark attendance and allows employers to track employees to punch in punch out (clock in clock out) times. Although, these cards would be easy to duplicate, I sense that it would not work.
 |
| Image 8: At the front it should have a QR Code that says 'iSad' or 'I have sex on the first night' |
There are plenty of QR code generators and readers on the market and on every platform you can think of. It is turning into the sudoku epidemic. So after much research here are the:
Best QR Code Generators & Scanners
iPhone / iPad / iTouch
Qrafter (Free)
Qrafter Pro ($2.99)
QR Reader (Free)
quiQR ($1.99)
Easy QR (Free)
Android
QR Droid (Free)
Barcode Scanner (Free)
ScanLife Barcode & QR Reader (Free)
Barcode Generator / Reader (Free)
QuickMark Barcode Scanner (Free)
Mac
QR Code ($1.99)
QREncoder (Free)
BlackBerry
QR Code Scanner Pro (Free)
Code Muncher QR Reader ($1.99)
MobileTag (Free)
I-nigma (Free)
Windows Mobile
QuickMark (Free)
OxoTag (Free)
Nokia (Ovi)
BeeTag QR Reader (Free)
Java
Upcode (Free)
UIQ
Upcode (Free)
Symbian
Upcode (Free)
Online (Browser)
Kaywa (Free / Donatable)
QRStuff (Free)
Online Decoder (Free)
Bar Capture (Free)
Facebook QR Codes (Free)
Firefox QR Codes (Free)
QR Code Google Chrome Plug-in Extension (Free)
Web / Desktop Publishing QR Code Plugins
Wordpress QR Code Plug-In (Free)
InDesign QR Code Plug-In (Free)
0 comments:
Post a Comment