QR Code – What’s the Hold Up?

by BrothaTech on August 19, 2010 | View Comments | 29 Views

I’ve been waiting for this mobile technology to take off here in the U.S. So far the reaction/adaptation of this technology has been a steady “meh”.

If you’re not familiar with QR Code (Quick-Response Code), I’ll give you the background. It’s essentially a mobile barcode that you can encrypt with any type of information. Contact info, calendar appointments, even URL’s can be encoded via QR code for mobile devices to “scan” and decrypt the information. It’s a very quick way to pass along information to anybody using a mobile device.

Business owners can create codes to quickly get their contact info into a client’s mobile address book. Companies can create codes that will send mobile users to online coupons they can use in-store without downloading the image and figuring out how to print them to hand to the cashier. There is even a real estate company out in Wisconsin that is using QR Code as yard signs to drive home shoppers to their mobile site to find out more about the property for sale. Or just create a code to get users to your mobile site (If you are using WordPress, I certainly hope you are using a plug-in that creates a “mobile-friendly” version of your website).

Once you create the code encrypted with information like your business info. (name, address, phone number and website) you can put that code…anywhere! On the back of a business card, on flyers, on a t-shirt, as an image on your website, etc. Anybody with a QR code reader app on their mobile device can scan the code using their device’s camera and instantly, users can opt to add your information to their mobile device’s contact list.

There are tons of apps available that will enable you to create the code and most (if not all) mobile devices offer mobile apps that will scan the code to access the information. And they are not expensive at all (most are free).

Services/apps to create QR Code:

BeeTag
Kaywa
Mobile Barcodes

Mobile Apps to read QR Code:

BlackBerry
iPhone
Android
Windows Mobile

Now i’m pretty sure you’ve seen these things out in the wild, but my question is why haven’t they taken over as the de facto way to access information via a mobile device? They are easy to make (The image in the article when scanned will take you to…you have to scan it to find out). And easy to scan – it’s just as simple as taking a pic of an image with your smart phone’s camera. So what’s the hold up?

Do U.S. companies fail to realize that a large number of people accessing the internet are doing so via their mobile devices? Some companies get it, and are using QR Codes to welcome their mobile device users:

Google
AT&T
HBO

Or is it education? Do people really know enough about QR Codes to create the demand for more entities to adopt the technology? If that’s the case then do me a favor, share this article with everybody you know so we can get the ball rolling! SmallBizGoMobile has done it’s job, now it’s time to do yours!

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  • http://topsy.com/www.marioarmstrong.com/2010/08/19/qr-code-whats-the-hold-up/?utm_source=pingback&utm_campaign=L2 Tweets that mention QR Code – What’s the Hold Up? – Mario Armstrong — Topsy.com

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by QR Power, Marcia Wade Talbert and Marcia Wade Talbert, Terrance Gaines. Terrance Gaines said: QR Code – What's the hold up? | SmallBizGoMobile (by BrothaTech) http://bit.ly/acbXwe [...]

  • http://twitter.com/robwhitney Rob Whitney

    I think it's a two-fold issue.

    1. People just don't know what they are, and there aren't enough high-profile companies making serious use of the codes, yet. (Best Buy just rolled an in-store program and I've seen a few others but nothing that's had real buzz.)

    2. There's a perceived inconvenience to downloading an app if somebody wants to access one on the spur of the moment. If mobile phone makers would include even a basic QR Reader in every single phone shipped it would a HUGE help.

    I started following 4-5 QR advocates & companies recently and the amount of traction they're getting is impressive. It's not nearly as invisible as you'd think, but it has a ways to go. I'm in commercial printing and constantly looking for ways to tie print to web or digital. QR codes have that potential, just finding the right usage is the key.

  • http://brothatech.com/qr-code-in-action/ QR Code in Action | BrothaTech

    [...] provided you have a QR Code reader app on your smartphone – which if you don’t, click here for more info. If you do have one and you’re itching to try it out, scan the image in this [...]

  • Mika Nicole Collins

    Great information as always~ Thanks! Mika

  • http://www.hackeducation.com/2010/09/02/another-good-reason-for-cellphones-in-the-classroom-qr-codes/ Another Good Reason for Cellphones in the Classroom: QR Codes | Hack Education

    [...] a recent post over on Mario Armstrong’s site, Terrance Gaines asks “What’s the hold up?” in more widespread adoption of QR Codes — it’s a good question, as QR codes, [...]

  • http://brothatech.com/ Terrance Gaines

    @Rob and @Mika

    Thanks for the comments! I think QR Codes are the future, it's gonna take for a MAJORITY of web traffic to come from smartphones for companies to reach out via QR codes!

  • http://twitter.com/qrarts Patrick Donnelly

    I don't think QR codes will “take over” – but I believe they will find their niche. (and I am a huge supporter). QR codes make sense for some HCI instances, and other times they dont.

    I think the question will be which prosumers to educate, and how. There will be a want from consumers, and a push from certain producers. We just have to make enough good matches.

    As far as I am concerned QR is already here. Its just a matter of exposure, and to begin with… more great UX (user experiences ) with Mobile that travel PAST hashtags of mobile, UX, and qrcode.

    So, lets make some (more) effective campaigns.

    Patrick Donnelly, QrArts.com

  • http://brothatech.com/ Terrance Gaines

    Thanks for the comments and I’m diggin’ the artwork on your site.

    Nice to see folks taking QR Codes and (in my Paula Abdul voice) “Making it your own”

  • http://www.marioarmstrong.com/2010/12/10/nfc-is-the-new-black/ NFC is the New Black – Mario Armstrong

    [...] all this sound familiar? Well, I am a fan of QR code technology that enables people to create funny-looking barcodes encoded with information that can be decoded [...]

  • http://www.marioarmstrong.com/2010/12/29/scan-qr-code-and-make-payments-with-mobio-app/ Scan QR Code and Make Payments with Mobio App – Mario Armstrong

    [...] you haven’t been paying attention to the internet over the past year or so. They are called QR Codes and simply put, they give users access to the information encoded on the image by simply scanning [...]

  • http://brothatech.com/a-brothas-2011-tech-predictions/ BrothaTech’s 2011 Tech Predictions | BrothaTech

    [...] The U.S. has been slow to adopt the technology, but as more and more American consumers adopt the smartphone way of life (INSTANT access to EVERYTHING), The ability to scan a QR codes and receive contact information, URL’s to websites, send and receive financial information will be the de facto way to get what you need while on the go. [...]

  • http://www.marioarmstrong.com/2011/05/24/square-moves-towards-mobile-wallet-reality-with-card-case/ Square Moves Towards Mobile Wallet Reality with Card Case – Mario Armstrong

    [...] that Square has devised. It’s only a matter of time before Card Case, NFC technology, and QR Codes make your smartphone the most important tool in your everyday [...]

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