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Can you print an RFID tag? Can an RFID tag be read off of a billboard? I like RFIDs but I don't think they'll completely replace QR codes. I agree that markete

Can you print an RFID tag? Can an RFID tag be read off of a billboard? I like RFIDs but I don't think they'll completely replace QR codes. I agree that marketers should explicitly tell you what a scanned QR code is going to do. I've found i-nigma's iPhone app to be the fastest (free) scanner. Blazingly so. QR codes were never designed for public consumption and look quite digital. I like the trend of 'designer QR codes' and error-correction within the QR code's data payload allows for a certain amount of design freedom.

bradleyland 15y ago
I'm really baffled as to why you're being down-voted. QR codes and RFIDs share some aspects in common, but the points you outlined are the most relevant differences. RFID also has the issue of discoverability. In order for someone to know that they should scan for RFID, there would need to be some visual indicator. The only reduction in user friction would be the fact that they need not point their phone at the indicator.
eggbrain 15y ago
There are definitely problems with RFID tags, but I think QR codes are even worse. That's why I say it's a stopgap -- maybe RFID fixes its issues, or maybe something completely better comes out, but I don't see QR codes being around 10 years from now (outside of business applications at least). I'll have to check out i-nigma's app, but this isn't going mainstream until it's integrated into the phone. I believe Android already does (Google Goggles?), but get iPhone on board and we will definitely see the market turn. I think designer QR codes look better, but this is an issue of putting lipstick on a pig -- it looks better, but not that much better.
- cobrabyte 15y ago
  I was quite surprised that Apple didn't build-in QR scanning abilities into iOS 5 / iPhone 4s. They probably share your thoughts regarding the look of QR codes and are waiting for adoption rates to be higher (I.e. 'cross the chasm'). Or they're waiting on a more designer-friendly solution to fill the gap. I believe Android phones have QR scanning built-in.
  - hsshah 15y ago
    Agreed. I have been waiting for iPhone and Android to build QR scanning capability natively in the Camera app. BTW, Android phones (atleast until Gingerbread) does NOT have it built-in either. You have to use Goggles apps (or I prefer RedLaser)
  - nupark2 15y ago
    I would assume that Apple doesn't support QR codes because most consumers don't particularly have a use for them. I see QR codes everywhere in NYC, but actually getting one onto my phone involves stopping, taking my phone out, spending 10-30 seconds with the QR code. If your advertisement is capable of inducing me to do that much work, that's a pretty fantastic advertisement. However, despite the QR codes being damn near everywhere, I've still not bothered to scan one. QR codes are, in my estimation, a fad.

bradleyland 15y ago

I'm really baffled as to why you're being down-voted. QR codes and RFIDs share some aspects in common, but the points you outlined are the most relevant differences. RFID also has the issue of discoverability. In order for someone to know that they should scan for RFID, there would need to be some visual indicator. The only reduction in user friction would be the fact that they need not point their phone at the indicator.

eggbrain 15y ago

There are definitely problems with RFID tags, but I think QR codes are even worse. That's why I say it's a stopgap -- maybe RFID fixes its issues, or maybe something completely better comes out, but I don't see QR codes being around 10 years from now (outside of business applications at least). I'll have to check out i-nigma's app, but this isn't going mainstream until it's integrated into the phone. I believe Android already does (Google Goggles?), but get iPhone on board and we will definitely see the market turn. I think designer QR codes look better, but this is an issue of putting lipstick on a pig -- it looks better, but not that much better.

cobrabyte 15y ago
I was quite surprised that Apple didn't build-in QR scanning abilities into iOS 5 / iPhone 4s. They probably share your thoughts regarding the look of QR codes and are waiting for adoption rates to be higher (I.e. 'cross the chasm'). Or they're waiting on a more designer-friendly solution to fill the gap. I believe Android phones have QR scanning built-in.
- hsshah 15y ago
  Agreed. I have been waiting for iPhone and Android to build QR scanning capability natively in the Camera app. BTW, Android phones (atleast until Gingerbread) does NOT have it built-in either. You have to use Goggles apps (or I prefer RedLaser)
- nupark2 15y ago
  I would assume that Apple doesn't support QR codes because most consumers don't particularly have a use for them. I see QR codes everywhere in NYC, but actually getting one onto my phone involves stopping, taking my phone out, spending 10-30 seconds with the QR code. If your advertisement is capable of inducing me to do that much work, that's a pretty fantastic advertisement. However, despite the QR codes being damn near everywhere, I've still not bothered to scan one. QR codes are, in my estimation, a fad.