Mobile barcodes are a technology which has seemed on the edge of adoption forever. Technically there doesn’t seem too much difficulty in reading a barcode using a camera phone, but business models, usability of reader applications, and integration with m-business processes seem to lag. Handset manufacturers haven’t really helped either, a number of Nokia handsets have QR readers for example but finding them deep in the impenetrable Symbian menu structure is a challenge that defeats most users. Worse the availability of readers is very inconsistent. Devices like the 5800 which ought to be stellar devices for barcode reading don’t have a reader app. Very puzzling. However I’m encouraged by the growing enthusiasm for barcode reading on Android.
But what triggered today’s thought is that barcodes don’t just need to work technically, they need to look cool. Barcodes will be part of printed advertisements, shown on screens, maybe on TV. So they need to look good in the context of their surroundings. QR codes are a great technology because of their large payload but are hardly the most elegant creatures in the world. I always liked the appearance of shotcodes, but they haven’t gained any commercial traction, probably because they need an intermediate lookup registry.
However today I came across a cool idea. Fashionable QR codes. Take a look at this link which shows what happens when you let an artistic advertising agency loose with a QR code. Looks great, a shame it seems to defeat some of the handset reader apps I have. However even though this implementation is a bit challenging the idea is a good one.
And finally, for those who like playing with technology here’s what the blog URL looks like in a couple of mobile-readable barcode formats.
QR code
Shotcode
6 responses so far ↓
1 blissnetwork // Apr 29, 2009 at 12:17 am
I’ve never heard of shotcode before but I’ve created qr codes with a site like http://www.beqrious.com and it has worked wonders. I hope QR Code technology hits the US BIG as soon as possible because the advantage, ease-of-use and convenience cannot be ignored. The Japanese people have been using this for a long time and we’re really so far behind!!!
2 Nick Jones // Apr 29, 2009 at 3:50 am
I share your hopes, but am a bit less optimistic about the US because there’s an additional challenge. US operators are more control-oriented and maybe less innovative than operators in some other parts of the world. They tend to shy away from anything that might involve revenue going to anyone other than the operator, which can warp the way in which technology is delivered. So I suspect they’re likely to be cautious about open and consumer friendly barcode systems. Also, Nokia who could help drive de-facto standards because of their dominant global market share are weak in the US.
3 Ian Foster // Apr 30, 2009 at 2:51 am
Some more information on QR codes for your readers ..
QR code news
http://www.qrme.co.uk/qr-code-news.html
QR code forum
http://www.qrme.co.uk/qr-code-forum.html
QR code readers
http://www.qrme.co.uk/qr-code-resources/qr-code-readers.html
QR codes explained
http://www.qrme.co.uk/qr-codes-explained.html
QR code social network
http://www.qrme.co.uk/component/comprofiler/userslist/Recent%20visitors%20to%20QRMe.html
QR code videos
http://www.qrme.co.uk/qr-code-news/qr-code-video.html
QR code slideshow
http://www.qrme.co.uk/slideshow-overview.html
Regards
Ian
QRMe
4 Rex Dixon // May 1, 2009 at 10:44 am
Nick,
Green Day Shares Exclusive Mobile Content With Their Fans – powered by Delivr – Via QR Codes
The Used – sharing content via QR Codes
Drop me an e-mail back rex [at] percentmobile [dot] com – and I can send you the details.
Rex
5 John Gilham // May 2, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Microsoft has “Tags” (using color) as well:.
http://www.microsoft.com/tag/
6 Jane McPherson // Jun 1, 2009 at 4:18 pm
If you are looking for cool, check out SpyderLynk.
SpyderLynk’s SnapTag offers the functionality of a bar code but looks cool and requires no application download. The SnapTag is created from a brand logo or icon and SpyderLynk’s proprietary encoding. Consumers snap and send the SnapTag via MMS so no application download is required.
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