QR Codes
This past week, a client asked Neadom about a QR Code Scanner app for a Blackberry. This is something new and something Neadom and no one at Kotori has used, therefore, it makes for some research for a new article. You may be like me and asking what is a QR code and why would anyone need a scanner. Well, I did the research for you.
QR Codes are a step above to the traditional barcode. The typical barcode could hold a maximum of 20 digits and could only be read horizontally. The QR code can hold up to 7,089 characters and can span horizontally and vertically and can be scanned from any angle. The term QR is an acronym for Quick Response. QR Codes originated in Japan and have recently become popular in the Middle East and Europe and now the US. They first hit mainstream when they were initially used for tracking parts by vehicle manufacturers. Now they are being used commercially in the telecommunications industry where the mobile phones are driving up their popularity.
Now that you know what a QR Code is, how does it benefit you and why would you want a scanner? (That was my question.) You can take a use your mobile phone and take a picture of the QR Code. The QR Code software decoder can then transform the data from the code to a meaningful action like: connect to a web address, download an MP3 file, dial a telephone number, and prompt your email client with a sender address. Of course, this is all done in a matter of milliseconds making the transformation of your mobile phones browser to the mobile web instantaneous. The picture above is a QR code for Kotori Technologies website.
Now that you know what they are and how to use them, where and what to get? This, in part, depends on what type of phone you have. And like I said, we havent used any of the software, so we cant really pick one over the other without the experience. Some that seem to be more popular are:
For Blackberry
BeeTagg http://www.beetagg.com/
Neo Reader http://www.neoreader.com/
Up Code http://www.mobile-barcodes.com/qr-code-software/#upcode
For iPhone
NeoReader http://download.cnet.com/NeoReader/3000-2124_4-201792.html
Optiscan http://download.cnet.com/Optiscan/3000-20418_4-10977515.html
QR App http://download.cnet.com/QR-app/3000-20418_4-10977516.html
If you have any experience with the QR Code or have a recommendation, please let us know.
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