Somewhere I have a 30 page report from an executive in a media company on why QR codes are the next big thing, because they are big in Japan. If there was any red flag for me it was the fact that those that didn't know consumer habits, technology or why the milieu of both would effect the adoption of a new mode of doing things were saying these things. QR codes were pushed because they hit the marketing sweet spot of…
40% of people surveyed in this not-so-scientific survey knew what it was. Despite there not being any real reason why they should know (there has been no effort into marketing them beyond the tech circles, as far as I can tell, unlike a hashtag which is used by nearly every television show, and explained by said television show). And despite the second most used mobile OS not having a default implementation. I don't…
Why the QR code is failing
31–38 of 38 posts
Re: Why the QR code is failing
#32Re: Why the QR code is failing
#33Demo coming soon.
Re: Why the QR code is failing
#34Re: Why the QR code is failing
#35I saw one use of the QR code that impressed me: in my city (Lyon, France), on bus stops, there are QR codes. Following them leads to a web page where you get the waiting time for the next buses. This is a quick and cheap way to display the waiting time without adding hardware to the bus stops. The only good point I see for the QR code is that it makes it easier to get to a webpage. That made perfect use of it.
It would be faster and easier for a Short URL in place of a QR code in most cases. For example - at the bus stop with a QR code I would have: - locate an app I rarely use in the Menu - open app - depending on app, hit button to go to camera - snap photo - processing time - opens web browser... (sometimes I'd get a confirmation page prior to the action) With a Short URL: - open browser thats prominently placed on my p…
Re: Why the QR code is failing
#36- Scan the QR code to receive a rebate coupon for the product advertised - Scan the QR code to receive a two for one deal on tickets for what ever event advertised - Places like 7-eleven offering you a free soda with your hot dog if you scan the QR code on the poster in the window before entering - Scan the QR code for an exclusive trailer for the movie advertised - An ice cream company introduced a new ice cream and you could scan the QR code on the advertisement to get a free ice cream - Adverisements for universities where scanning the QR code would let you order their information brochures sent home to you - Scan the QR code to be informed when the advertised service is available in your location
And several other uses I can't remember at the moment.
My point is that it is, like the author of the article indicates, quite possible to make great use of QR codes in advertisements.
Many of the mentioned campaigns I also know worked great. For example during the free ice cream campaign, the local 7-eleven was filled with teenagers with smartphones getting their free ice cream every time I went there.
I've also noticed that most of the campaigns that succeed don't "just slap a QR code in their", they give you information about it: "Scan the QR code to get a free ice cream using your cell phone. If you have an iPhone go to xxx to get a scanner, if you have an Android xxx, if you have a Nokia xxx" or similar solutions. It's kind of a chicken and egg problem. Nobody will use QR codes if they don't know what they are, or how they work. And nobody will known what they are and how they work, unless somebody tells them.
Re: Why the QR code is failing
#37Earlier quoted context omitted.
I just got an Android phone, and it's not. Just now, I went to this website on my computer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code I took a photo of QR picture with the built in camera. Nothing. I have to use google goggles or something to interpret the QR code.
http://code.google.com/p/zxing/wiki/GetTheReader