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QR codes are going to be the next great tech you need to know about. Remember when bar codes first became big (that is, if you’re over a Certain Age)? QR codes may become even bigger than regular bar codes!
What is a QR code?
“QR” is short for Quick Response. QR codes were developed in Japan in 1994 to help businesses transmit information quickly and efficiently. A QR code is type of bar code, a square with oddly patterned squares within it, kind of like a crossword puzzle gone horribly wrong. Here is an example of a QR code (this is the QR code for this website, The Wonder of Tech):
If you scan a QR code with a scanner, it may reveal all sorts of information such as website addresses, contact information, nutritional information at restaurants, museum exhibit information, songs, book chapters, pictures, etc.
Museums are using QR codes in their exhibits to display additional information about a display to interested visitors. Cities such as Minneapolis and London have offered tours using QR codes.
Some books now have QR codes revealing additional information from the author, video, audio tracks and places for readers to leave comments.
If you’re a realtor, you could put a QR code on your listing signs in front of your properties so potential buyers could scan the codes to get more information.
If you’re running a convention, you could provide attendees badges with QR codes containing their contact information for other attendees to scan.
You could put a QR code on the back of your business card to give quick access to your website.
Here is a photo of a hotel in Dubai that decided to go all out with its use of QR codes:
Please post a comment if you visit this hotel. I would love to know what a scan of its QR code reveals!
The possibilities are endless which is why the use of QR codes is soaring.
Do I have to buy a scanner?
No, one of the great things about QR codes is that you might already have a scanner in your pocket, your smartphone with a camera. By using a free app, you can use your smartphone to scan a QR code and have the information appear on your smartphone screen.
Which apps work as QR code scanners?
Google, which is free for Android phones and iPhones, works as a QR code scanner. I have tried some other free QR code scanners from the App Store, AT&T Code Scanner and QR Code Reader, but they didn’t work. I also bought the app quiQR for $1.99. What I like about this app is that it scans quickly and it also generates QR codes, such as the QR code above.
How can I test this out?
First, if you have a smartphone, open your Google app. Click on the camera icon in Google and point your phone camera lens at the QR code above. Click on the camera icon on this screen and scan the QR code. Your result should be wonderoftech.com. If you want to try another QR code, scan the QR code on the sidebar to this blog. That will give you a slightly different result.
Having fun? Search QR codes and see how many cool uses of QR codes you can find.
Here’s a group of people having the ultimate fun with QR codes:
The latest and the greatest use of QR Codes is on gravestones: http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/2011/08/05/qr-codes-on-headstones-in-graveyards-is-it-brilliant-or-creepy/?awesm=tnw.to_1AGTy
Perhaps a QR scanner will soon become your Killer App?
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Have you noticed QR codes? Have you ever scanned one? Let us know in the Comments section below!
This article is part of The Wonder of Tech All Star series to satisfy your tech cravings while Carolyn is on vacation. This article is an update of an article that was originally published on The Wonder of Tech on March 1, 2011. You can access the article here if you would like to read the comments on the original version. You can leave comments below and Carolyn will respond after she returns from her vacation on August 20.
Hi Carolyn,
I’ve seen some websites with QR codes and I thought it was just used online. Hmm, based on that hotel from Dubai, looks like QR codes will indeed become bigger than regular bar codes.
Hi Alex, Lol, QR codes are definitely bigger than bar codes when QR codes are dozens of stories high. 😉
The good thing is that QR codes can contain much more information than standard bar codes so will become much more valuable in the long run.
Thanks so much, Alex, for your visit and brilliant comment! 🙂
I saw this in a newspaper yesterday and it said scan the Q code with your phone; bet that confused a few people! 🙂
I think they could catch on eventually, but needs more devices which is possible, most laptops have a webcam.
You’ll like these photographs on my blog, my hospital doctor was looking at them earlier today. He couldn’t believe where I took them either. The woods where I took them are only a few miles from the hospital.
Hi Mike, You’re right, most people don’t know what QR codes are yet, much less how to read them. But if you have a smartphone, you have a QR code scanner. Very handy!
I am very excited to head over to your blog. I will do it soon. I will read all of the posts I missed, but the Neodigital Art posts are my favorite. I thought of your advice often on my vacation as I took pictures and I have a few questions I want to post on your blog.
Thanks so much Mike, for your visit and helpful comment! 🙂
This was one of my favorite Wonder of Tech blogs. (Came in handy because right after it was first published I had to go in for minor surgery and discovered that my wrist band had nothing on it but a QR Code. Thanks to Carolyn, I had peace of mind that my information was protected.
Remember, fellow Wonder of Tech fans, that Carolyn’s blog has been nominated for a Best of Philly Award. Please vote to let her know how much we appreciate her efforts.
Just scroll all the way down until you see Wonder of Tech and cast your vote. You can vote once per day for the next week. So feel free to vote every day.
Hi Kathy, I’m so glad the information about QR codes was helpful to you. There is so much stress in going to the hospital, so the more things that are familiar to you the better!
Thank you so much for your support with the voting for the Most Valuable Blogger Award! I really appreciate your voting every day and spreading the word.
The contest ends September 9, and you can vote every day until then.
Thanks again, Kathy! 😀
This one looks pretty amazing, i can easily see QR taking over the normal bar codes we’re using right now, looks to be easier to handle and able to contain a wider range of information.
There are interesting times coming.
Hi Lynn, QR codes are amazing and as more businesses start to use them, you will discover all sorts of uses for them such as special discounts, more product information, etc.
Thanks so much, Lynn, for your visit and amazing comment!
We can only hope they’ll spread and that businesses will start using them.
Right now i haven’t really seen them on the market, but that’s probably just because normal bar codes still have the monopoly.
Hi Carolyn,
There’s a lot of QR Codes in Norway at the moment. I’ve seen them on business cards, in magazines and on signs (outside of stores). I like the idea of the signs, where they add “secret” discounts to the QR codes.
What’s important though, is that QR codes should make something easier, not more difficult, and that the QR code experience should be something new and exciting (if it’s not easier).
I haven’t created my own code yet, but that’s because I have no idea why I should 🙂
Jens
Hi Jens, That is very interesting that QR codes are being used a lot in Norway now. I agree, the more businesses make their QR codes useful (such as special offers or more product information), the more likely people will be to scan them. And scanning them is fun, you feel as if you’re decoding a secret (which you really are) and maybe finding a treasure.
I use a QR code in my sidebar that changes for each post. The plugin is called QR Tag and generates the QR code automatically. Let’s say someone is at their computer and opens my blog to read it but then has to leave. He can scan the QR code in the sidebar using his smartphone, pull up the post and then he can read it later on his phone (or iPad).
I also have the QR code for The Wonder of Tech home page printed on the back of my business card for the blog. That’s generally a conversation starter!
Thanks so much, Jens, for your visit, helpful tweet and brilliant comment! 🙂
QR codes are amazing part in this area too 🙂 Its really bigger than regular bar codes 🙂
Hi kavya, That’s exciting that QR Codes are being used so frequently in your area. They are an efficient way to provide information, special deals, etc.
Thanks so much for your visit and comment!
Not only that I scanned some codes, I am also using QR for advertising my business.
You are right when you say that this is going to be big, and it is already starting, so everybody should keep up! Imagine the potential of QR and the variety of usage.
You can do wonders for the local business simply by making QR code stickers and putting them all over the city.
Hi Plessey, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I agree, QR codes are getting more popular every day. I’m seeing them more frequently now. That’s a great idea about the QR code stickers, as long as you put them in appropriate places. If you put them in places where they are obtrusive, you might gain negative publicity.
I have a QR code for this site on the back of my business care for The Wonder of Tech. I have yet to give my business card to anyone who recognizes what a QR code is, but that will probably change a year from now.
Thanks so much, Plessey, for stopping by and adding to the conversation!