A "Quick Response" or QR code is an image that can be decoded into an text. It's like a two-dimensional barcode. Here's an example:
Scanning this picture resolves into the URL of this blog: http://castfortwo.blogspot.com .
This kind of pictures are typically used for tagging. Add the QR code picture to a thing, take a picture of the thing, decode the picture on the thing and there's the text. For example, a link to a website with product information.
You can make your QR code yourself here : http://qrcode.kaywa.com/
Using the Google Chart API, you can also generate QR codes. The URL
http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?chs=300x300&alt;cht=qr&alt;chl=Hello|World
generates a QR code for "Hello World":
Changing the parameter chl to the URL of this blog:
http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?chs=300x300&alt;cht=qr&alt;chl=http://castfortwo.blogspot.com/
gives:
Every BBC programme has also an QR code. Just add /qrcode to the URL.
For example, the URL of the Top Gear programme is: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mj59
Adding /qrcode gives:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mj59/qrcode
which render to:
There are several free applications on the iphone that can decode QR codes:
Several other mobile phones have such application to.
The BBC has even succeeded in tampering the QR code for the bbb.co.uk/programes URL such that the BBC text is clearly readable:
3 comments:
If you want to easily create and share your 2D Codes, check out http://www.snappr.net .
There you can create Codes ranging from a simple Web Code (linking a URL) to a Voting Code where you can ask people to cast their 'mobile vote'.
You can also print your Codes on shirts or hats to promote your content.
Hope you like it ;)
Cheers,
Philip
@pstehlik Thanks Philip for pointing me to snappr.net. It looks interesting. Thanks also for providing a free Java Mobile download for a QR code reader at load.snappr.net.
hi cast42. have a look at http://beetagg.com.
it's almost certainly the leading mobile tagging system ;)
The BeeTagg Reader supports most platforms and handsets. A code generator is also available, as well as dedicated tools/managers for agencies, publishers and brands.
/robin
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