Why the QR code is failing • Hacker News Board

Re: Why the QR code is failing

#21

Post by tomkarlo » Fri, Oct 21, 2011, 9:49 PM UTC

The problem is that QR codes are used to replace simple (static/generic) URLs. If you have a usage where there is potentially a wide range of values, they become more useful, but since they're being used in mass printing / advertising, they're going to be the same all over and in that case you might as well just use an easy URL.

QR codes work great when being used in items where there is a large (think 100,000) number of potential unique values. That scale means they shouldn't be used for a product SKU, for example - they should be used for a specific object like a SKU/serial # combo. Never enter a serial number again to register a product, for example.

Re: Why the QR code is failing

#22

Post by yannickmahe » Fri, Oct 21, 2011, 9:50 PM UTC

donohoe wrote: post #15

yannickmahe wrote: post #11

I 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…

I always feel it's kind of a pain to type in a smartphone, especially URLs where autocorrect can't work.

m.tcl.fr/123 wouldn't take so long I guess, but to me it feels more annoying than opening the app (which is on my second screen) and clicking on the "scan" button.

Re: Why the QR code is failing

#23

Post by rayiner » Fri, Oct 21, 2011, 9:50 PM UTC

I'm pretty sure it's because it's a solution looking for a problem as far as advertising goes. Much better served putting a "www.wheretofindus.com" on your ad instead.

Re: Why the QR code is failing

#24

Post by recursive » Fri, Oct 21, 2011, 9:53 PM UTC

ericflo wrote: post #10

badclient wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The whole needing an app kills it. If its built into the native camera to recognize these codes I can really see it taking off. No more needing to type long landing page urls when you see a billboard or needing an exclusive short url when you can just point your camera and see the intended page open up on your iphone browser.

On Android that's how it is.

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.

Re: Why the QR code is failing

#25

Post by mikeocool » Fri, Oct 21, 2011, 9:54 PM UTC

The QR code is only failing in advertising contexts. Printed out your boarding pass for a flight lately? It probably had QR code, but the beauty is you barely needed to know about it. All you had to do was print your boarding pass and then stick under the scanner.

In advertising contexts, you need to recognize the QR code, know what the hell it is, know how to search for an app in your phone's app store that will read it, download that app, open that app, and scan the QR code. All to be sent to an advertiser's website.

For any consumer to do that, regardless of how interested they are in the ad, is a massive ask.

Re: Why the QR code is failing

#26

Post by LargeWu » Fri, Oct 21, 2011, 10:03 PM UTC

prodigal_erik wrote: post #13

ryanlchan wrote: post #2

Key insight here is right at the middle: "People will not adopt a technical solution that serves to replace a manual task, if that solution is less efficient than the manual task it replaces. How could we think that QR codes for marketing would work any better than CueCat? Did we not learn the first time?" No matter how great technically, no matter what the reward is at the end, if you can't get people to use the pro…

As I saw it, the CueCat's problem was needing to be tethered to a computer with web access, which nobody at the time habitually carried in their pocket.

Also, it required a very specific hardware device.

Re: Why the QR code is failing

#27

Post by bdonlan » Fri, Oct 21, 2011, 10:04 PM UTC

ethank wrote: post #3

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…

It should be noted that smartphone adoption in Japan is rather low, and keyboard phones are quite rare. Usually there will be a separate website for PCs and not-so-smart phones. So there's a good reason to use QR codes there, even if it just leads to your homepage.

Re: Why the QR code is failing

#28

Post by pyre » Fri, Oct 21, 2011, 10:14 PM UTC

recursive wrote: post #24

ericflo wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On Android that's how it is.

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

Re: Why the QR code is failing

#29

Post by dane » Fri, Oct 21, 2011, 10:22 PM UTC

DanLivesHere wrote: post #16

donohoe wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

Or even text messaging. Text "M15 AT 53" to "311411" and you find out when the next bus is going to be at your stop. That'd work.

Melbourne uses a four digit number for tram stops (for use via text, automated voice, web and apps) and it works quite well. http://tramtracker.yarratrams.com.au/phone/

Re: Why the QR code is failing

#30

Post by 7952 » Fri, Oct 21, 2011, 10:26 PM UTC

It would be much more interesting to see stats about the use of QR codes in an actual campaign. If they generate even a few hits, and create a few new customers, it could be worth the inches on the ad. After all, they don't loose anything by using a QR code.