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American Business: Cracking the QR Code

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Re: American Business: Cracking the QR Code

#31

Post by Aga »

caw wrote: post #30
potatolicious wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And the cuecat made the offline world "scannable". That alone doesn't mean much. The problem right now is that, between a (short-ish) URL on a poster/billboard and a QR code, I am far, far, far more likely to use the URL than the code. Why? Because it's easier. Here's what I have to do to scan a code: - Scroll homescreens/app list over to the code reader app. - Start code reader app. - Tap (probably 2 taps, more if t…

Bestbuy has QR codes next to their items in store. It takes you directly to the product's page so you can read reviews and whatnot. I think that's an effective use for them if you've looked at the BB URLs lately.

Would it then not be better to fix the URLs instead of investing in QR-schemes?

Re: American Business: Cracking the QR Code

#32

Post by klodolph »

icebraining wrote: post #20
eggbrain wrote: post #5

As a consumer, I hate QR codes. They totally obfuscate what is going to happen -- Many times there is little to no information about where a QR code will send me. As an iPhone user, I also need to download an app to read the QR codes, and suddenly I now have another choice to make -- which app is the best quality and least spammy of the ones listed. As a designer, I also think they are quite ugly -- Try putting one o…

They totally obfuscate what is going to happen -- Many times there is little to no information about where a QR code will send me. How so? Every app I've tried (for Symbian) shows me the URL and asks me if I want to load it.

That's after you've already taken out your phone, launched the app, and taken a picture. Three out of four steps.

Re: American Business: Cracking the QR Code

#33

Post by caw »

Aga wrote: post #31
caw wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Bestbuy has QR codes next to their items in store. It takes you directly to the product's page so you can read reviews and whatnot. I think that's an effective use for them if you've looked at the BB URLs lately.

Would it then not be better to fix the URLs instead of investing in QR-schemes?

Not for BestBuy, probably for a few reasons

What would you change it to? UPC codes? One of my games has a UPC code of 000888834625. Try reading that quickly on a product tag. Short hashes like jKghH3? How do you convey that it's case sensitive? Otherwise you have to make the code longer and more complex because they have a LOT of products

BestBuy is a technology retailer. Use of technology looks good for them. They have an extensive marketing department because that's how they get normal people to shop there. It's been said this is a marketer's technology, not a user's technology. Who cares if people whip out their smart phones? Their product tags are all computer generated anyhow, it doesn't cost them anything if people use it. But what if this QR code just happens to get someone to check out the reviews and buy this product? Or what if it ever so slightly changes the perception of some parents that BestBuy knows what they're talking about, so they go there to buy their kid's electronic gizmos.

Re: American Business: Cracking the QR Code

#34

Post by ljf »

caw wrote: post #33
Aga wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would it then not be better to fix the URLs instead of investing in QR-schemes?

Not for BestBuy, probably for a few reasons What would you change it to? UPC codes? One of my games has a UPC code of 000888834625. Try reading that quickly on a product tag. Short hashes like jKghH3? How do you convey that it's case sensitive? Otherwise you have to make the code longer and more complex because they have a LOT of products BestBuy is a technology retailer. Use of technology looks good for them. They h…

Or...

They buy a new short url: http://BB.GD/shoes/1234

Keep adding sensible folders as is needed, words that customers can remember and numbers that are easy to type in. Hey the QR can still point to this, but give me something I can type in, or even remember and look at later.

By only using QR you are telling the customer that they are too stupid to type in a URL, to lazy to remember one, yet tech savvy enough to know what the barcode actually is.

Re: American Business: Cracking the QR Code

#35

Post by jarek »

potatolicious wrote: post #23
hsshah wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's certainly a witty statement. I will give an 'upvote' for that. However, I cannot agree with the statement. It may have started the way you are describing however, there are so many practical uses for a consumer as well. Essentially, it makes the offline work "clickable". There are other technologies as well that serves as a bridge for offline2online (folks have already mentioned about RFID). QR code is just one…

And the cuecat made the offline world "scannable". That alone doesn't mean much. The problem right now is that, between a (short-ish) URL on a poster/billboard and a QR code, I am far, far, far more likely to use the URL than the code. Why? Because it's easier. Here's what I have to do to scan a code: - Scroll homescreens/app list over to the code reader app. - Start code reader app. - Tap (probably 2 taps, more if t…

Or...

  - Unlock phone
  - Code reader app shortcut is on home screen, one tap to activate
  - App (Barcode Scanner/ZXing) goes directly to camera view
  - Wait about a second for camera to activate (Nexus One, $200 used off-contract)
  - Hold the camera still over the code and carry on with your detailed schedule
Sorry to hear iOS code readers require two taps just to get to the camera. Sounds like bad UX.
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