Android and Me » qr code

Google Voice now available for anyone in the U.S.

Taylor Wimberly — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:39:10 +0000

Google Voice is now open to anyone in the U.S. – no invitation is required. The free service provides one number to ring all your phones, voicemail transcriptions, and a ton of other things your carrier probably doesn’t provide. Check out the official Google Voice overview page for a complete list of features.

If you have never checked out Google Voice, I would suggest at least installing the Android client and see how it works first hand. The voicemail transcriptions are my favorite feature and the main reason I switched over from my carrier’s voicemail. Additionally, you can send SMS text messages using your Google Voice number without charges from your carrier. The latest update also allows for better inbox synchronization which allows for instant notifications.

Visit the official Google Voice site and just sign in with your existing Google Account to get started.

Mint cashes in on Android’s popularity

Taylor Wimberly — Mon, 03 May 2010 21:57:28 +0000

Android users can now manage their money on the go with a free application from Mint.com, the leading online personal finance service (acquired by Intuit last year). You read out preview of the beta and now anyone can download it from the Market (yes, even Android 1.5).

Mint allows consumers to see real-time account balances, check recent transactions, compare their spending against their monthly budgets, and edit transaction details all from their mobile device. More than 3 million users have access the iPhone app and now Mint is expanding their services to cover all the major mobile platforms.

The password-protected Mint also allows users to disable access if their phone is lost or stolen. Users just login to the Mint.com website and then immobilize the app.

Android specific features include:

OS Search: Easily search for and find recent transactions, anytime, anywhere.
Mint.com widget: Access a snapshot of overall cash flow in real-time.
Android Live folders: Get financial updates on the phone’s home screen without launching the Mint.com application.

Be on the lookout for a full review coming soon.

ShowClix turns Nexus One Android phone into mobile ticket scanner

Angie Wimberly — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:01:23 +0000

If you are looking to open up a new venue and you need an easy to use ticketing system, check out ShowClix Axess. The full-service ticketing solution allows promoters to use Android phones to scan tickets and check-in users to events. Customers can bring in their printed tickets or use their smartphone to check-in with QR codes.

A full list of features include:

Scans 1D & 2D barcodes
Scans print@home eTickets, hard tickets, and mobile tickets
Fast barcode recognition – 1 to 2 seconds per scan
Online and offline scanning
Find and check in ticket buyers who arrive without their ticket
Voice search
Check out and reentry mode
Works with multiple entrance points
Lightweight
Touchscreen

This has to be one of the most innovative uses of the Android platform I have seen. I wish some of the venues in my area were hip enough to give it a try. The service also looks ripe for some integration with some of the social check-in platforms like Foursquare or Gowalla.

“Axess is the product of years of frustration with the existing barcode scanning options that have been available to our clients. The introduction of Axess and our new ticket scanners carries the innovation of our web-based platform to the door of the venue. Our new ticket scanners aren’t just easy-to-use and affordable, they’re also packed with features that give our clients more flexibility and control over the way they admit ticket buyers into their events. Venues and event promoters finally have a better option when it comes to barcode scanning.”Joshua DziabiakShowClix CEO

Fun With QR Codes For Google Android.

Taylor Wimberly — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:31:21 +0000

If you own a T-Mobile G1 Phone, chances are you have used one of the applications that reads barcodes. ShopSavvy and CompareEverywhere are the two most popular applications that make use of scanning. Each one allows the user to take a snapshot of a product UPC using the built in camera, then compare prices on the web.

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 innovative uses can you come up with?