What is a QR code? If you are pondering over that question then let me tell you that QR code will be on your face before you even realize it. QR stands for Quick Response and quite rightly so. Though you should not be fooled by the quick response moniker as the response depends on the smartphone camera and the app you are using. QR Code is two dimensional bar codes which doesn’t make any sense to the naked eye but packs in a lot of bits. It needs a camera and an app to interpret.
QR code app should be one of the must-have apps that should be installed on your smartphone. In fact Android app stores like AppBrain use QR code to direct you to you app download – no clicks and links needed. While QR codes are old, companies are finding new and innovative uses for them. Some are beginning to realize the full potential of QR codes.
QR code possibilities
For starters QR code could be your glorified and fully blown business card. For businesses it could be a window to provide context to customers with little attention span. For retailers it could mean new business. For newspapers QR code means new advertising revenue and it also means putting some life into the dead tree. For companies who want to advertise, it could mean less money spent on advertising space as more information can be crammed into a very little space.
QR codes means less marketing material to be printed out and less trees to fell.
QR codes also has the potential to replace the Yes or No SMS’s which TV channels use. Of course, the cameras on the smartphones will have to become powerful to scan the image displayed on a TV screen, but it’s a possibility never the less. Take-away restaurants can display a QR Code with all the menu items. Wouldn’t that be the most useful thing ever?
Let’s see some of them in action.
Tesco’s Virtual Mall in Korea
Tesco in South Korea made QR code the center of shopping experience. Virtual shopping malls are placed at every metro station and all the customer has to do is scan the QR code and place an order. The shipment will be sent to the customer’s address.
McDonald’s McSpicy
McDonalds in a bid to promote its new range of McSpicy burgers has gone the QR code route. It has sandwiched the QR code between two buns. The QR code has details to a microsite to promote the products. The intention is to create a lot of buzz, which McDonalds did. The viral campaign has reached 250,000 people in 10 days and its YouTube channel got 10000 hits.
Many companies in India are using QR codes to promote a message. I have seen at least 3 advertisements in the last 3 weeks where a QR code is provided. This QR code has suddenly made the print media attractive. Jet Airways, Bajaj Auto, Ford and Volkswagen have successfully used a QR code campaign.
QR codes clubbed with Near Field Communication (NFC) is a killer idea to make your smartphone the center of your universe.
We are entering an era where ‘match fixers’ will stop asking your Rashi and start asking you QR code.
PS : Here’s what the matrimony portals will look for in your QR code : Age, Date Of Birth, Height, Complexion, Religion, Caste, CTC, Movable property, and immovable property.
McDonalds Image source Afaqs