New Codes Make Shopping Easier-Your Phone Can Now Scan Product Information

[The Straight Story]

New Codes Make Shopping Easier
Your Phone Can Now Scan Product Information

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Grab your phone. The QR codes are coming to town.

QR, which stands for Quick Response, is a code that looks a little bit like a Rorschach Test and a little bit like a retailer bar code. Detailed information about products at thousands of stores nationwide are embedded in the codes. When you come across an item that you're interested in, all you have to do is scan the QR code with your cell phone. You'll then get a link to a Web page and additional information about that item.

"I think QR codes are a way to learn more about the things in front of you. QR codes are like Web links to the real world, and they're a lot faster than typing on mobile phones," said Daniel Switkin, a staffer at Google.

QR codes have been used in Japan for years. In Japan and in Europe, the codes are even showing up on buildings, giving tourists and residents alike information about landmarks, directories of occupants, and, in the case of retail stores, occasionally the announcement of a special sale. Industry observers believe the codes will be the next big craze for the American consumer.

"I think QR codes are becoming more popular in the U.S.," Switkin said. "They're showing up on more products in more stores."

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/23014652/detail.html

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Saw this on TV earlier today

Looks neat.

[Cronus Protagonist]

2. I remember when some startup company sent everyone a little mouse thing

Specifically for that purpose. It was attached to magazines, sent through the mail and handed out at events. You were supposed to take it shopping with you and scan products you wanted, which would then, when connected to a computer, pull up more info about that product. It died an inglorious death despite being sent to almost every house on each coast.

[tammywammy]

3. I remember that! n/t

[Cronus Protagonist]

7. Yeah! That was it! I used to see them lying in the gutter and sitting on top of news stands

There were so many of them, and people didn't know what to do with them!

[Hawkeye-X]

4. This?

called Cue Cat

[BunkerHill24]

5. Yup.....this another way of collecting information of what you buy

Corporations would like to know what you buy, hence they gather information to micromanage your shopping habits. Case in point is grocery stores offering discount cards with discounts.

Protect your unanimity, I say.

[SidDithers]

8. Anonymity?...

Or do we all have to agree on something before we buy it?

:) :hi:

Sid

[BunkerHill24]

9. We are willing to get a discount on a two bound tomato,

without asking questions on what information is being taken from us at the cashier's counter.

Go figure!

:hi:

[Xithras]

19. No information is being collected about you at the counter.

I say this as someone who once wrote POS software for retailers, and up until last year ran a small company servicing them. Companies keep all sorts of information on product sales and shelf life, but they don't connect it to an individual customer.

Not unless you have one of those "club cards" anyway. If you have one of those, all bets are off. NOBODY who is concerned about their privacy should EVER get one of those store discount cards.

If you don't have one, you're safe. If you do, you've willingly committed yourself to someones database.

[Xithras]

18. The CueCat!

They apparently have MILLIONS of the things manufactured with visions of taking over the retail market in their heads. After they went under, those brand new scanners went on the market for next to nothing...for the first time, you could buy a barcode reader for only $2-$3.

Of course, if you got one from CueCat before they went under, they were free.

It was a neat idea, but they really should have tested the market first. If they had, they'd have realized that it was a silly idea. Then again, that was the DotCom era...even the silliest of ideas could get a crowd of investors to your door in under 5 minutes.

[ET Awful]

6. I could already scan any barcode on an item with my phone over a year ago

it would give me info on the item, comparison pricing, and the best price within a set radius.

For instance, if I saw a computer part I wanted in Best Buy, I could scan it, my phone would immediately deliver every on line price and if there were local retailers with an on line presence, it would list their prices first along with MSRP and a link to the manufacturers page for the item.

[Oregone]

10. I fucking hate technology

[Tesha]

11. Then you'd better log off of DU! (NT)

[Oregone]

13. And cancel my internet

But this comp sci major, web programmer would be hard pressed to get any work done


I still hate technology. Hate it

[Odin2005]

14. Then go live in a cave.

:eyes:

[Oregone]

16. Theyd throw me in jail for squatting

[Tesha]

12. QR Code for the URL of the English Wikipedia Mobile main page

[Odin2005]

15. This is cool!

[Xithras]

17. My Android phone does this. It's incredibly cool.

Point it at the QR or barcode of any product, and it will show you information, reviews, and even compare the prices of various retailers so you can determine the fairness of the price in front of you. I've already walked away from purchases in stores because a quick scan showed that it could be had online...or at another store around the corner...for less money than I'd have spent at the store where I originally scanned it. It's incredibly useful when you're trying to save money.