QR Codes and other technology (such as apps) tend to follow the 'Hype
Cycle' proposed by Gartner
see
http://www.gartner.com/technology/research/methodologies/hype-cycle.jsp
for background and
http://www.gartner.com/technology/research/hype-cycles/ for 2013 report
We did a test on QR Codes at an archaeological dig and were quite
pleased with the results, whcih I'm happy to share:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22279603/Burrough_final_rpt.pdf
It is best to use programmable codes so that you can keep the same
physical tags but have the ability change what they point to. We created
a small web app for generating programmable codes whcih can point to
internal pages on the app or external sites. You are welcome to a free
account http://q-action.appspot.com/
Also:
You don't need network or internet access as you can use QR Codes to
point to web pages on an Info-Point unit, whcih is self-contained
http://www.info-point.eu/
I suspect that QR Codes will become popular as new phones will tend to
have reader apps by default. They may then be overtaken by Near Field
Communications, which is easier technology from the users viewpoint,
once all new phones have NFC (it requires a hardware feature whereas QR
Codes only need software). There are though some drawbacks - NFC tags
cost a few tens of pence each, you have to programme each one, and the
user has to be within touching distance, so IMHO QR Codes (which are
standards based - I've seen a firm trying to sell something as 'QR
Codes' that were proprietary and non-compatible ) may well settle down
for a long stint as one of the prime technologies for mobile computing,
though eventually they will be replaced - just like my blockbuster
collection of feature films - that I have on VHS.
Neil Rathbone
****************************************************************
website: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ukmcg
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/museumscomputergroup
[un]subscribe: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/email-list/
****************************************************************
|