michael favia

Quick Response codes are really just slightly more robust versions of the UPC bar codes you see on your everyday purchases. Traditional bar codes require that everything is assigned an official ID and then they encode that long number in the bar code. When you buy something that number is scanned and the price and information about your product is looked up in a database.

QR codes let you encode more than the products ID in the graphic so the third party information isn't necessary. This additional space lets you potentially store large amounts of useful information and can be used to bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds. If i have to tell you how useful this is you aren't thinking hard enough. :)

Many smart phones these days have QR Code applications that will let you scan these graphics and make use of them in your daily life. If you own an Android phone you can use Zxings wonderful application called "Barcode Scanner". This is what I used to test my samples below. If you have an IPhone you can use the "Barcodes" application to the same effect.

I know what will be on the back of my next business card.

Visit a link

The following graphic directs your phone to my website.

Send a SMS

The following graphic sends me a SMS to me that says "QR Codes are convenient"

Sends an email

The following graphic sends me an email with the subject "QR Codes are convenient"

Save a contact

The following graphic encodes my name, telephone number, website and mailing address for instant addition to your camera enabled mobile phone.