Wednesday July 1, 2009
According to the source of all modern and undisputed information Wikipedia, a QR code is much like a barcode. The two dimensional “Quick Response” pattern can be decoded at high speeds and is used for disseminating information that you don’t want the human brain to be able to understand or would rather them decode by a device that can store that information. Sneaky, brilliant but pretty much a big ‘so what’, right?
Maybe.
Where this seemingly useless piece of technology becomes useful to the wider population of plebs is in mobile technology. As it goes, the Japanese found a consumer use for something that most people wouldn’t bother trying to find the fun in. Read on.
Most phones in Japan are configured to decode QR codes via their camera. Making them a powerful tool when transmitting information. Anything from a billboard to a slice of toilet paper could possibly display a QR code, which a user of a mobile phone could decode and be presented with any slew of information, which they could store or do what they want with. For example a QR code was used on UK billboards that directed the decoder to the website for the 28 Weeks Later DVD release.
What makes QR codes cool to me is the ability to make them into an artform in themselves. “The design of QR makes it possible to incorporate eye-catching images of logos, characters, or photos into QR code, without losing any information of the code”. (Wiki says it better than I can).
I first stumbled across this Louis Vuitton one on a typical blog site, and thought it looked cool but didnt really know what it was and why I should care. Then yesterday I saw this one and decided I thought they were worth more interest, especially if big brands are using this mysterious alien code.
I did some Googling and found that QR codes have even been used on gravestones as a way of linking to a virtual guestbook. Mourners can add comments, see who else has visited and find and add information about the deceased. See the video below of bikers visiting a grave.
There is also the ability to code a piece of jewellery so that it holds vital information like allergies, blood-type and medical conditions of the wearer incase they get into trouble. Hypothetically people could start QRing their clothing with codes that link to photos of their junk on the internet, hopefully it doesn’t get that far.
Whether the QR code is just a marketing fad or not is yet to be seen, but as usual by the time the fad reaches Aus the Japanese will already be scanning barcodes that make your phone dispense underpants and Coke. They do look rad.
Words by Jimmy
Talking about "What The Hell Is A QR Code?"
Jimmy reckons...
Awesome, is that permanent?
Thanks Andreas, it’s a cool ring.
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Thanks for posting the prototype of our QR Ring in your article…
We don’t know if QR Codes will go off around the world but we do know that they are funny to use and sometimes hurt a bit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvLCEppweiQ
This hilarious video shows you how millions of QR-enthusiasts will use this code in the future
Have fun watching the flick!