@Andrew

Sorry about that. Robert changed the image to a better one. The QR included originally was simply directed to (my) website.

There is a new service launching in the next few weeks, creating Retail specific QR codes. Check out their story http://portal.sliderocket.com/AWDOX/What-is-goBeepIt

"Once you have downloaded the app (most are free) you can scan the image below which is an example of a QR code."

Um, where exactly is that QR code?

"Once you have downloaded the app (most are free) you can scan the image below which is an example of a QR code."

Um, where exactly is that QR code?

Thanks folks. A short post like this can't capture all perspectives or all detail. One major obstacle is IMHO the
Fact that it is proprietary tech is a Toyota subsidiary. This makes it risky for companies to invest serious dollars

A coffee outlet I frequent no longer provides Coffee Cards but instead uses a smart phone app in its place. The customer scans the provided QR Code when they purchase and their virtual card gets virtually stamped. On the back end however, the business owner then gets stats on frequency of use, the biggest spender, coffee consumption, busy times and so on.

Scan This! QR Codes Are History
Google recently announced that it is ending both its development and support of QR (Quick Response) codes. QR or 2-D barcodes as they are sometimes called, were originated by a subsidiary of Toyota over 15 years ago and gained popularity in Japan. More recently, they have been employed by marketers to append additional content to print and digital media. By scanning a QR code with a smart phone, consumers can access web-based video, documents and other forms of digital content. What makes Google's announcement particularly interesting is that until now QR codes have been a cornerstone of their Places program.

Instead, Google has opted to pursue work on near field communication (NFC) technology. Developed in 2002, near field communication uses low frequency signals to allow devices to communicate once they come into a specific range of one another. NFC is currently being tested by hundreds of companies globally.

QR was doomed from the beginning

In a world where two clicks is one click too many, QR codes seem conspicuously clunky. First, marketers have to print a unique QR code for the content they wish to share. Then, depending on the user's hand held device, they may have to download an app to allow them to scan the QR code. It's not uncommon to have to scan the code more than once to get a clear enough image to decode. Also, the ability to navigate to the content is directly dependent on the strength of your handheld signal, which ruled out effective use of QR codes in certain locations (like subways). Finally, QR codes often lead us to content that was hardly worth the effort or anticipation (which can't be blamed on the technology itself) but nonetheless makes it seem even more a waste of time.

Although NFC applications may vary, it essentially involves bringing an "initiator" device and a "target" device into proximity to enable an exchange of information. It's not only easier to use than QR codes but you can expect most hand held devices to come "NFC ready" from the manufacturer by next year.

Follow the Dollars

The most compelling argument for NFC is its potential as a secure payment method. Several banks and retailers are already experimenting with "tap to pay" programs. Once consumers become comfortable using NFC as a payment method, it will tip its usage across all other potential applications as well.

I doubt that Google's decision or the momentum around NFC will necessarily be the death of QR technology entirely, but I do think its potential as anything more than a promotional toy has been forever diminished by NFC. I can't help feeling that QR codes are a little like the 3-D TV of the marketing world — a cool thing that no one really cared about.

Above all else, what is particularly evident from the premature demise of QR codes, is that technology in general is now moving at far too fast a pace for companies to maintain a wait-and-see strategy. Despite the inherent risks associated with jumping on new technology early, the cost of waiting may be missing the adoption curve entirely

The trouble with starting an article with a statement like this, is that you need to substantiate it: "QR codes (Quick Response codes) are growing rapidly in terms of adoption for marketing purposes." Not substantiating the premise of the article renders it suspect.

However FYI yes QR codes are big in Japan but they were introduced there in '94 so it didn't exactly happen overnight. In the US and to an even greater extent in Australia the jury is still very much out.

For those interested in QR codes it's worth remembering that you'll only be talking to the small segment of the public that has a smart phone, has downloaded a reader app and can be bothered to activate it and photograph a QR code. Oh and you'll also want an M Site to drive them to.

Also FYI in March last week QR Codes disappeared from the Google Places Dashboard and yesterday Google provided this statement: "Users will no longer find unique QR codes in their Places accounts. We’re exploring new ways to enable customers to quickly and easily find information about local businesses from their mobile phones". (source http://tinyurl.com/4q2z8x2)

The emergent Near Field Communications (NFC) tools will provide a better solution to many potential QRCode uses...especially for retailers, because customers will simply swipe their phone eg near a product to be taken to the relevent information on their phone.

Some good reading on QR codes:
http://tinyurl.com/3tn5kaj
http://tinyurl.com/42k5pe7
http://tinyurl.com/44y6ff8
http://tinyurl.com/6e5dvjp

I think there is alot of potential in the use of QR codes for small retailers like myself. It is just another way of integrating all your marketing efforts....facebook/qr/web/print. Having said that most customers that i have queried on it have no idea what a qr code is, let alone how to use it. uptake is slow definately.

Thanks Dennis
A feature on this coding would be great to get a better understanding.
It is interesting how QR cods are evolving rapidly now after having been used extensively in Japan for a number of years. Obviously the smart phone bug is driving this in Australia but how were other countries consumers utilising this technology so widely for so long before the spread of smart phones?
It would also be interesting to get an understanding on how the QR codes are actually generated - where is the database of these codes maintained / produced. I have generated say 3 different codes for trhe same website and the codes all look different. Therefore it cannot be a pattern for particular text so where is the coding maintained?
Thanks

We're already using them - we have a sponsorship sign on a local football field which includes one, and just last week ordered some promotional posters also featuring a QR code. Uptake in Oz is still slow but it will primarily be the younger ones that will drive adoption, I expect. A key advantage to adding them to product signage and packaging is that if a customer chooses to scan a product's QR code instead of the UPC/EAN et al, you send them to where you want instead of them heading directly to a comparison site, and get the first shot at influencing their comparison effort. That said, we've yet to have a single person scan the QR code and follow the link on our sign.... as I said, uptake is slow here.

QR codes are a great idea - but only really work in countries with non-roman text. They took off in Japan as most people didn't want to translate Kanji in Roman URL.
Whether it really works in Aus/USA/ENG is another matter.