For some reason QR codes have become the hot darlings in the tech industry today. You can see these codes displayed in a variety of instances, such as blogs, name tags, posters or even on your television. Before I go into their different uses, what are these codes and why are they so prevalent in today's social media?
First, QR codes "are a type of two-dimensional barcode that can be read using smartphones and dedicated QR reading devices, that link directly to text, emails, websites, phone numbers and more!"
Wow, thank you whatisaqrcode.co.uk, your explanation of QR codes is very succinct.
Anyway, they're popular because of the reasons specified in the quote, which is the ability to direct people who scan these qr codes to various websites, texts, emails, etc.
But enough on the history of QR codes, let's learn some of the more interesting cases to use QR codes.
NUMBER 1: VIDEO GAME SHENANIGANS
That's right, you can scan QR codes in video games! How cool is that? But what do you gain from scanning qr codes in a video game? Well, they can be used to give players hints, rewards or even ACHIEVEMENTS.
Here's an example of QR codes used in the indie plat former Fez.
In this case, scanning the QR code gives you a text that displays various combinations of RT and LT. If you were to push in the right trigger and left trigger of your video game controller, and follow the commands precisely, then you can gain a nice reward! Definitely a cool and interesting use of qr codes...I hope.
Now, moving onto the next interesting use of QR codes...
Which is none. They are not that interesting. Seriously, why are they so popular? Beats me...
References:
Chariton, G. (2011, August 15). The pros and cons of QR codes. Econsultancy. Retrieved April 19, 2014, from https://econsultancy.com/blog/7884-the-pros-and-cons-of-qr-codes#i.v0lc34pg0duyty
What is a QR Code?. (n.d.). What is a QR Code?. Retrieved April 19, 2014, from http://www.whatisaqrcode.co.uk/
QR code is definitely used everywhere now! Instead of typing all the long, ugly URL address up to go to a website, now just with one scanner you can basically get there instantly. Furthermore, It's interesting how the code can be integrated into games. This surely gives me new ideas to extend the use of the code.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I think you gave a clear explanation on what QR code is and where it can be used, and also showed a live example of its use.
But I would definitely want to know why they are so popular! ;)