My brief thoughts on QR codes
I dig QR codes. I want to see them succeed. They’re the modern day version of the “tear off a phone number and call for more information” flyer but with much, much more potential (edit: I feel I should mention that these codes have actually been around for a long time—just not in the mobile marketing world).
Unfortunately, while I’ve seen countless blog posts from marketing types about how QR codes are going to change the world, I personally see no evidence that this is taking place—at least, not yet. It’s a myth being perpetuated by the same marketing types who are trying to justify the fact that they’ve been printing QR codes on everything. Most people don’t know what they are and don’t care.
I don’t think QR codes are going to take off until the readers are built into smartphone operating systems. And by smartphone operating systems, I mean Android (good luck getting Apple to play ball). But really, I think that one operating system is all it’ll take. If Android has a built-in QR code reader, businesses have a reason to print QR codes on signs and ads because there will be people around who can actually scan the things. And, if iPhone users see their Android friends using the technology, they’ll be more apt to get in on it, too.
I said brief, so I’ll leave it at that. Until these readers come bundled into a smartphone OS, awareness among normal, everyday people will remain low. Ask your mom if she knows what a QR code is and you’ll see that people are getting a bit ahead of themselves.
-shawn
