I feel like Meshtag[1] was built for exactly this. The trick is that the symbol doesn't encode the link the way a QR code does -- it just references one on their server, so the drawing can be loose and imperfect and still resolve. The flipside is of course that if Meshtag ever shuts down, every tag in the world goes dead. [1] http://www.meshtag.com
Hand Drawn QR Codes (2025)
41–47 of 47 posts
Re: Hand Drawn QR Codes (2025)
#42Anyone else scan their random junk that has QR codes to see where it goes? I've found a fair number of stuff has codes that do nothing. Bought an extra garage door opener remote, qr code on it does nothing. Got some SwitchBot gear, qr codes do absolutely nothing.
Re: Hand Drawn QR Codes (2025)
#43Anyone else scan their random junk that has QR codes to see where it goes? I've found a fair number of stuff has codes that do nothing. Bought an extra garage door opener remote, qr code on it does nothing. Got some SwitchBot gear, qr codes do absolutely nothing.
QR codes were invented for inventorying and labeling. Sending links to your phone is a side effect.
Re: Hand Drawn QR Codes (2025)
#44I feel like Meshtag[1] was built for exactly this. The trick is that the symbol doesn't encode the link the way a QR code does -- it just references one on their server, so the drawing can be loose and imperfect and still resolve. The flipside is of course that if Meshtag ever shuts down, every tag in the world goes dead. [1] http://www.meshtag.com
QR Codes work even if the publisher shuts down.
Re: Hand Drawn QR Codes (2025)
#45Earlier quoted context omitted.
QR codes were invented for inventorying and labeling. Sending links to your phone is a side effect.
No. They were invented for whatever reason and then the ability to be a link a phone can scan became their primary function when everyone on Earth started carrying phones. Pokemon cards have QR codes - every kid scans them, do you think they think whatever you do? I had a startup in 2012 that extensively used QR codes to make a game kinda like Pokémon Go and various "Scan to Win" games (I had in 3 bars and were scann…
Re: Hand Drawn QR Codes (2025)
#46Re: Hand Drawn QR Codes (2025)
#47Earlier quoted context omitted.
No. They were invented for whatever reason and then the ability to be a link a phone can scan became their primary function when everyone on Earth started carrying phones. Pokemon cards have QR codes - every kid scans them, do you think they think whatever you do? I had a startup in 2012 that extensively used QR codes to make a game kinda like Pokémon Go and various "Scan to Win" games (I had in 3 bars and were scann…
AR codes does not seem to be that seamless, but I am a Boomer by heart. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARToolKit
So, know that it may not be that seamless but I've experienced practically seamless AR, by simply opening an app camera, instead my default camera and I was able to do that to "blow peoples minds" back in 2012 - nobody had seen Pokémon Go yet and we showing them animated characters running around the actual room.
If a phone can automatically scan a QR code - which virtually all of them do, there is no reason it can't scan an AR tag built into the QR code by default also - not like a "real" reason.
I'll look into it later but I'm assuming its a bunch of excuses of the type corpos typically run with when they dont intend to do something - I dont really believe there is a patent they wouldn't infringe to keep our attention on lock - the AR tech existed 15 years ago and, just like Pokémon Go, its actually really cool stuff and has tons of very real applications that we haven't even skimmed the surface of yet.
Everyone isnt wearing smart glasses yet, but they are here for real now - ideally everything on earth is AR tagged or equivalent (there are several ways to do this now actually, tagless ways even) before we all have those glasses on - bc it will 100% certainly become so after that shift transpires.
The very fact that you even looked into AR makes you a better Boomer in my book - I'm sure a lot of Boomers on HN are like you, I will consider that more in the future when commenting here.
I hope you have a great day.
Sry for the book - I think you made me feel a little guilty, which is interesting.