Whether you are in a coffeehouse, a retail store or reading a newspaper, you might have seen the white and black squares with funny designs on products, billboards and ads. These small squares with funny patterns are called QR codes (Quick Response). They are not new, they have been used for quite some time now. But still, not many know how they can be used and exactly how they would gain from doing this.
Introduction of QR codes
The Quick Response Code was created in 1994 for the automotive industry by a Toyota subsidiary. The QR code is a 2 dimensional barcode which can be examined optically, for instance using a mobile phone cam. The code can include information such as website URLs, product descriptions or vCards (digital carte de visite). The initial reason of the QR code was to track vehicles during production. Nowadays QR codes are primarily used for advertising and marketing, linking printed media with on-line media (such as web sites, YouTube video clips or online product catalogs). Another usage area for QR codes that is increasing in level of popularity is for mobile payments. Using QR codes is free and it doesn’t require any form of licence.
Ways to scan a QR code
You can easily scan a QR code making use of your mobile phone camera. In some cases you have to download and install an application to scan QR codes. Just do a search for “QR” in your mobile app store and you will certainly find many apps for free that you can download and install. If you have a Windows Phone you don’t need to download a distinct app, you can scan QR codes directly working with Bing.
Examples of excellent QR code usage
Mercedes-Benz #QRcode
One example that sticks out is Mercedes-Benz QR code campaign which aims to protect lives. In Germany car producers are requested to provide a “rescue sheet” with each car sold off. In order for the rescue personnel to rapidly get easy access to these kinds of rescue sheets, Daimler (Mercedes parent company) are going to place QR codes sticker labels on Mercedes-Benz cars. One QR code sticker are going to be placed behind the gas door and one more on the roof support on the opposite side of the vehicle (according to Daimler this is the optimal positioning for easy access and it’s unlikely that both of these places will be damaged in a car accident).
Benefits of QR codes
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There certainly are a number of advantages when using QR codes. As a user you get instant access to more information about a product, service or initiative directly from your mobile. You don’t have to type anything into your mobile phone, by simply using the camera and scanning the QR code, all information stored in the QR code is accessible via your mobile phone. You can keep a digital archive of the info in your telephone and return any time.
People should use them because they link the actual and online spaces via a little scannable code.
People should use them to try new things, to think out-of-the-box.
People should use them because they are cutting edge.
People should use them because they are cool.
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