If you own a T-Mobile G1 Phone
Both programs make use of an open source software from ZXing (“Zebra Crossing”). Other Android developers can use intents to bring the functionality of Barcode Scanner into their own program. One example of this would be Torrent Droid, which was the winner of our first Android Bounty.
Sharing Information with a QR Code.
In addition to normal UPCs, ZXing has added support for the following codes.
- UPC-A and UPC-E
- EAN-8 and EAN-13
- Code 39
- Code 128
- QR Code
- Data Matrix (‘alpha’ quality)
- ITF
A QR Code (“Quick Response”) is a 2D barcode that can store much more information than a standard UPC. Inside a QR Code you can find text, hyperlinks, contact information, geo location, and more. They are capable of storing up to 250 characters. QR Codes have become common in Japan, but have yet to take off in the United States.
One of the cool uses of QR Codes can be found via the share option in Barcode Scanner for Android. By pressing menu then share, users are able to easily send contact infomation, bookmarks, and text from their clipboard to other G1 phones. Users can create their own QR codes from one of the free online generators.
Scanning a QR Code From the Web
After you create your own QR code, there are many creative uses. They can be placed on the back of business cards so that your contact information can be scanned to someone’s phone in seconds. Advertisers can place them in print media to send customers to their product website. Bands could place them on the back of a CD case allowing you to hear an audio preview or purchase concert tickets. Secret messages can be hidden inside for people to find.
I’m already planning to place a QR code on my next order of business cards. We might even use them in some future promotions too. What other innovate uses can you come up with?
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Taylor Wimberly
Taylor is the founder of Android and Me. He loves playing with all kinds of gadgets, but most importantly cell phones. His other hobbies include cooking (BBQ hero!), politics, football, and watching every MMA event possible.
20 Comments
I’d be the first, but I don’t qualify for both requirements
can they still put headphone jack in the HTC Magic ???????
For the Final Model ??
I want a free screen protector.
WINNAR!
Not the first but figure it can’t hurt…”I want a free screen protector”
QR codes are cool and there a number ways to use them both in print and online. I think cyrket.com has implemented them ingeniously to take G1users directly to a specific app on the android marketplace. I started using QR codes on my site’s about page so readers can scan in my contact information.
Nice to see the word spreading about QR Codes!
If you are interested in doing ‘more’ with QR Codes, check out our site http://www.snappr.net
You can print your codes on t-shirts and other apparel, manage your mobile content behind the codes (like your contact info, your music, …) and more.
hope you like it!
cheers,
james
Here’s video of using Barcode Scanner and the QR codes on cyrket.com to launch right into Android Market.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIww6TA5f58
I want to geocode the person doing the scanning of the qr code with gps enabled phones. And get back time/date/lat/long. Is anybody doing this?
That kind of data would have to be allowed by the phone (and user) and I don’t believe there’s any standard format qrcode to request that information (like the general standards for providing email, contact, link info).
You could use one of the URL shortening/redirecting services that provides analytics. They can track general location via IP address, and you can have a unique target address for each QR code you generate (one for each branch of your marketing effort).
Simply: For each QR Code you want to put somewhere (one for a business card, one for a CD case, another for a show poster), generate a short URL with a service that provides the proper analytics. Then you can have very specific data tracking, including date/time the code was scanned, some regional location data, and a direct guide of which of your QR Codes is getting scanned the most often.
Optional You could get your own custom URLs on your own web service and install your own analytics software to track it all in one place and maintain control over your branding. That’s what I plan to do… after we finish our new album and DVD.
I use bookmarklets/firefox extensions to get a qrcode link to the page I’m viewing, nice to not have to type it in on the phone.
And I’ll have a qrcode on my next set of business/calling cards. (Did some for my brother a few months back.)
I’ve also see them used as the basis of games – scan the qrcode to eliminate other players in a kind of scenario game.
oh, bussness cards, I like that one, im trying to get a job so what ever helps my get one. I like.
QR Code’s are so cool. I really like the tool from mskynet for generating codes: http://mskynet.com/static/maestro.
I have a bunch of novel ideas for qr codes and 3d augmented reality combinations. Specifically I have a idea of how you could update the info given by certain qr codes so that people would be able to download and contribute media as well!
I need folks working in this field to contact me so we can talk….
Business cards, business cards… Ok, but then we need an app to add the scanned code directly to the contacts ….
All you need is a barcode scanner app for your phone, easy to find and free.
I am thinking about starting an online/offline gaming concept on http://www.qrgamer.com for a while but that market has to mature a little before that’s viable I think. (think of scavenger hunts, real-life shoot-m-up games with a QR code on your back, etc.)
Mskynet just added support for direct Android Market links to our API. The one below will search for PicSay http://www.mskynet.com/qrgen?qt=url&data=market%3A%2F%2Fsearch%3Fq%3DPicSay&nocap=1&width=355
Nice, that’s so cool! I really like the other icons they have as well.. The android logo is a really nice touch.