Additional BB QR readers - XXV

 

Another free QR code reader is QR Scanner and Generator by Newgen Photographics.

As always the first stop post installation is at the QR Code Quality Standards Test v1.02 The application decodes the QR codes directly (and not after taking a picture). Nice and speedy it decoded several 'flavors' of QR codes handily - phone number, SMS text, email address, web address, YouTube video. It did have some issues with vEvents and vCards, and once the QR codes were read they were not all fully integrated with the corresponding BB applications - while the email launched, others (urls, addresses, phone numbers) did not integrate with the corresponding BB applications but directed you to upgrade to the Pro' version ($0.99).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the QR generator side it will generate the QR code flavors shown below. It is nicely integrated with the BB address book. One small issue - while generating a MeCard  or vCard a number of fields are mandatory... Most of them seem OK but requiring a web address for the MeCard seems excessive (you can not generate a Mecard without it...)

 

 

The bottom line? A quick and versatile application. Unfortunately for full integration you need to go to the paid app, and given the excellent and completely free competitors out there I'm not sure it is worth it (even at the bargain price of $0.99!)

Previous QR code reader entries:
Additional BB QR readers - XXIV - TinyBarcode
Additional BB QR readers - XXIII - QR CodeFX
Additional BB QR readers - XXII - QR Scan
Additional BB QR readers - XXIa - Arion & Carpet One QR Scanners
Additional BB QR readers - XXI - Arion & Carpet One QR Scanners
Additional BB QR readers - XX - Barcode
Additional BB QR readers - XIX - QR Scan Now
Additional BB QR readers - XVIII - Qrem
Additional BB QR readers - XVII - Mobio
Additional BB QR readers - XVI - intARact
BB QR readers - Biz Barcode II - Biz Barcode updated review
Additional BB QR readers - XV - CodeREADr
Additional BB QR readers - XIV - ContactScanner
Additional BB QR readers - XIII - Mception Scanner
Additional BB QR readers - XII - Biz Barcode
Additional BB QR readers - XI - QR Code Scanner
Additional BB QR readers - X - SimpleScanner
Additional BB QR readers - IX - WIMO
Additional BB QR readers - VIII - Upcode
Additional BB QR readers - VII - Lynkee
Additional BB QR readers - VI - Code Muncher
Additional BB QR readers V - Mobiletag
Further ScanLife - ScanLife
Additional BB QR readers - IV - i-nigma
Additional BB QR readers - III - Barcode Assistant
Additional BB QR readers - II - Deco, CertainTeed
Additional BB QR readers - BeeTagg, AT&T Code Scanner
BB QR Code Scanner Pro - BB QR Code Scanner Pro
Barcode Happiness - I - barcoo
No luck - Upcode
Misc update (BB/2D barcodes) - Mobiletag (also updated above)
BB & 2D barcodes - NeoReader, Microsoft Tag, ScanLife

Cool QR

Designer QR codes created by many agencies continue to prove that QR codes don't need to always be the boring black-and-white squares that you normally see... A few examples:

From QRPlanet:

And from SET Japan:

See also 40 Gorgeous QR Code Artworks That Rock 

Previous QR and Tag-related blog entries:
BB QR readers (33 links)
QR codes "in the wild" (17 links)
QR-and Tag-related entries (25 links)

Random charts - mobile action codes

Source: Mobile Action Codes In Magazine Advertising 2011

From Advertisers Drive Growth in Mags’ Use of Mobile Action Codes: "... Magazines’ use of mobile action codes, including all 2D barcodes, QR codes, Microsoft Tags, and watermarks, exploded in 2011, rising 439% from Q1 to Q4, according to [download page] a January 2012 study from Nellymoser. The total number of action codes in the top 100 US magazines by circulation jumped 64% quarter-over-quarter in Q4, rising from 1155 to 1189. November’s 681 action codes was the most of any month in 2011, up from 278 in July and 88 in January..."

QR/Tag roundup - V

Source: 9/11 QR code

Here are more QR code and Microsoft Tag news updates, uses, etc:

• Additional on-line QR generators (beyond the mega-list here) include the following: 123qr.com, Générateur de Qrcode emandarine, QR breeder, QRHacker, Applied-Info Systems, MobileFish, QR Code Maker, Unitag, Social QR Code,
  
• Examples of QR code usage: in Abilene, to manage personal medical information, by Coca Cola, in retail, personal ads to find companionship, the NYC DOT (QR code curbside haiku), in scavenger hunts, a crossword puzzle that doubles as a QR code, to download apps such as Angry Birds and Instagram, the weirdest places, to promote the City of Bristol, to sell the 2012 Toyota Corolla, and to promote safe sex.
  
• Examples of Tag usage: by a bank, and to combine technology and art
  
• A tutorial: How to design a custom QR Code using Photoshop
  
• Articles why QR codes are a bust, e.g. Why QR codes aren't catching on, and why you should use them, e.g. 'QR Code, Microsoft Tag and Other Action Code Use Shows Strong Q3 Growth in Top 100 Magazines'
  
• 11 must see QR Code Marketing and Implementation Campaign Videos
  
• Microsoft Tag has also embraced QR codes, and,
  
• The Better Business Bureau of Kansas is now offering QR code usage tips...
  

Previous QR and Tag entries:
BB QR readers (33 links)
QR codes "in the wild" (17 links)
QR-and Tag-related entries (25 links)

In the wild - XVII

The TSA wants your feedback, and is using a QR code to solicit it! However, their site is not particularly mobile-enabled or mobile friendly:

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Next up, a QR code on a ATM receipt... "The Fifth Third Mobile App is here! Scan the QR code and get it now." Well, not exactly. It takes you to the mobile banking site... eventually. Mobile friendly, yes, but two clicks too much...

Previous QR and Tag entries:
BB QR readers
QR codes "in the wild" (17 links)
QR-and Tag-related entries (22 links)

In the wild - XVI

The previous 'In the wild' blog entry (XV) had examples of QR implementations that were problematic for one reason or another... Here are some recently observed ones that seem to work better:

At an Illinois store selling flowers and Christmas items, use the QR code to sign up for their newsletter:

In Indianapolis, you could pay by entering your parking space number and paying at a central meter, or you could use a QR code to pay online:

Ate pizza at a restaurant over Thanksgiving, they had a QR code you could use to sign up for news, updates, special offers, etc.

Attended a presentation by a "thought leader." Following the talk one could either fill out a paper survey to rate the presentation, or scan a QR code to be taken to a mobile-friendly site to enter your feedback... A good, and useful, implementation:

I observed earlier that airports would seem to be natural venues in which to use QR codes given the volumes of people, some of whom have much time on their hands. And so, a QR/Tag scavenger hunt set up in the various terminals of DFW:

Previous QR and Tag entries:
BB QR readers
QR codes "in the wild" (16 links)
QR-and Tag-related entries (22 links)

In the wild - XV

Some QR implementations, found "in the wild.' The first, unfortunately, only available for those with Android or Apple smartphones....

The second an automotive print ad... Unfortunately the site requires Flash, so (again) unavailable on some smartphones...

The third on an insert in the daily newspaper. Scanning the QR code takes you to a web site that explains... duh... how to scan a QR code. Hmm, presumably you already know this, otherwise how did you get to the page via the QR code???

The next example is from an airport, which seems to this blogger to be an ideal place to sprinkle QR codes (to target people with time on their hands between connections)... A decent enough implementation, except for asking if you can use the phone for location services...

Finally, a QR code that takes you to a brief animation... Kind of cool, but not particularly useful in any way...

Previous QR and Tag entries:
BB QR readers
QR codes "in the wild" (15 links)
QR-and Tag-related entries (22 links)