Week 4 – QR Codes

In the lesson we had a look at QR codes which are being used more frequently by people own a smartphone because of software that can use the camera to identify these codes. A quick description of QR codes from the website whatisaqrcode.co.uk can be found below to give an idea of how they can be used.

“QR or Quick Response 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!” (What is a QR Code, n.d)

For more information on QR codes such as how they can be used you can visit the website at http://www.whatisaqrcode.co.uk/
 
However in 2014 the creator of the QR code Masahiro Hara stated that with the advances in image recognition software could make the QR Codes unnecessary in a few years because of the possibility of image recognition software and the algorithms that they use.

To read this story for yourself you can visit the telegraph website at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10911122/The-QR-code-has-a-decade-left-to-live.html
 
Overall QR codes could still be used even after other technologies are out, I think this is because QR codes can still be used as a teaching method in classes to share documents and other digital learning material online and quickly.

One possible type of software to replace the QR codes could be image recognition software, for example Blippar could replace QR code in use of advertisements for businesses because people can read the image and obtain information as opposed to finding the QR code.

“Blippar is an augmented-reality mobile app and advertising platform that connects brands with highly targeted consumers. Blippar takes everyday products and transforms them into content-rich, consumer-centric interactive experiences. The app is available on iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone.” (Angeles, 2013)

For more information on Blippar you can visit the website at http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5627-blippar-app.html

References

Angeles, S., 2013. Blippar: Augmented Reality App Turns Everyday Products Into Interactive Experience - See more at: http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5627-blippar-app.html#sthash.vYxLMN0A.dpuf. [Online]
Available at: http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5627-blippar-app.html
[Accessed 23 February 2016].

What is a QR Code, n.d. What is a QR Code?. [Online]
Available at: http://www.whatisaqrcode.co.uk/
[Accessed 23 February 2016].