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8.2.2010 by Flow    Comments ()        follow me     connect
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QR codes

QR codes

...QR what? Since I first heard of QR codes I see them everywhere. On business cards, art and tattoos, posters, food products, geek fashion and even on buildings (see video below). I still couldn't figure out what they do, my phone doesn't seem to be 'smart' enough.

In theory QR codes encode up to 7,000 alphanumeric characters, transferring a lot of information on very little space. You simply point your camera phone at a barcode, and the phone links directly to a web page in seconds. It all started - like so many technological innovations - in Japan.

qrcodeLendorff Kaywa generates these codes on their web site, where you can also download the reader. On the right is the code for my web site (which is completely pointless here as it directs your phone to the web site you're looking at).

For marketing purposes QR codes offer huge advantages. They are used at McDonald's in Japan on the packaging of burgers which links to a web site with nutritional information.

In the US and UK Google will be providing restaurants and retailers with stickers of the code for their shop-windows.

QR codes are increasing the web's mobility driving traffic to mobile sites on the go. The technology also links various media channels from print to web creatively. However in my opinion it will still take some time for anyone who's not as technophile as the
Japanese or the dear reader to pick up on it.




8.2.2010 by Flow

Comments

Rosy on #

QR scarfs? Only in Japan!