3 ms·

Shark Tank pushes "Scan" App to top spot in App Store

10 points by iambateman 13y ago

iambateman 13y ago
Is QR code reading really going to be a thing? Can we please figure out a better way to interact with phone<==>world than to force data through the camera? Maybe Bluetooth LE.
- coherentpony 13y ago
  I'm totally with you. QR codes are awfully cumbersome to interact with. If phones had an infrared receivers that might be another option.
  - slash-dot 13y ago
    Some phones used to have infrared receivers and they sucked. The bandwith was awful and establishing a connection required multiple attempts at keeping the phones steadily next to each others with the receivers/emitters facing each other. Even the camera is way better than that. Bluetooth or nfc might be more promising though.
t0 13y ago
He didn't even want a deal. Shark Tank has become free advertising for some.
jeffehobbs 13y ago
Apple's "Beacon" technology is way more interesting than QR codes.
- iambateman 13y ago
  I very much agree. Trying to find out more about Beacon, but there isn't much out there.
shawnreilly 13y ago
I think both Mark and Kevin made some really good points. I find the Sensor vs QRCode debate pretty interesting. There are pro's and con's on both sides. I agree with Mark that the sensor (or sensor like) User Experience is much smoother and more natural than scanning QR Codes. The time investment is lower, and it's just plain easier for consumers to understand / use. However, sensors have a physical proximity requirement (aka range). What if the consumer is out of range? Another potential issue for sensors; The automated nature of sensors creates a potential for excessive push abuse. Just imagine your phone beeping every time you walk past a store in a mall and you can't stop it from happening. There are other issues that affect both Sensors and QRCodes, such as security. If I remember correctly, I think a few people experienced this at Defcon (scan the QRCode, infected with malware). Same could be said for sensors (hypothetical of course, but imagine a sensor pushing malware to you automatically?). These are or will become real issues. I think Kevin had some good points about the Business Model, it was pretty unclear to me as well. If fact, I didn’t even know it was a paid app until I read this article. And even then, I think investors prefer a reoccurring revenue model over the one-time payment. Anyway, very cool for them, and I wish them success. My only gripe with the whole thing was the Design. Maybe it's because I'm a Designer, but I was not impressed at all by the Design.
- iambateman 13y ago
  Yeah their landing pages leave a lot to be desired. I haven't seen the app directly. The UX of a QR code is a disaster. Stand back, hold up your phone, DONT SHAKE. It's annoying. But then there's the issue of having QR codes all over our products. Do we really want another UPC code making our stuff look horrible? I don't.
wikiwatchme 13y ago
A friend of mine was on Shark Tank last season and they got mocked by the sharks for their poor business. Nevertheless, they were able to sell the entire company soon after the show aired, all due to the exposure.

10 points by iambateman 13y ago

Is QR code reading really going to be a thing? Can we please figure out a better way to interact with phone<==>world than to force data through the camera? Maybe Bluetooth LE.

coherentpony 13y ago
I'm totally with you. QR codes are awfully cumbersome to interact with. If phones had an infrared receivers that might be another option.
- slash-dot 13y ago
  Some phones used to have infrared receivers and they sucked. The bandwith was awful and establishing a connection required multiple attempts at keeping the phones steadily next to each others with the receivers/emitters facing each other. Even the camera is way better than that. Bluetooth or nfc might be more promising though.

t0 13y ago

He didn't even want a deal. Shark Tank has become free advertising for some.

jeffehobbs 13y ago

Apple's "Beacon" technology is way more interesting than QR codes.

iambateman 13y ago
I very much agree. Trying to find out more about Beacon, but there isn't much out there.

shawnreilly 13y ago

I think both Mark and Kevin made some really good points. I find the Sensor vs QRCode debate pretty interesting. There are pro's and con's on both sides. I agree with Mark that the sensor (or sensor like) User Experience is much smoother and more natural than scanning QR Codes. The time investment is lower, and it's just plain easier for consumers to understand / use. However, sensors have a physical proximity requirement (aka range). What if the consumer is out of range? Another potential issue for sensors; The automated nature of sensors creates a potential for excessive push abuse. Just imagine your phone beeping every time you walk past a store in a mall and you can't stop it from happening. There are other issues that affect both Sensors and QRCodes, such as security. If I remember correctly, I think a few people experienced this at Defcon (scan the QRCode, infected with malware). Same could be said for sensors (hypothetical of course, but imagine a sensor pushing malware to you automatically?). These are or will become real issues. I think Kevin had some good points about the Business Model, it was pretty unclear to me as well. If fact, I didn’t even know it was a paid app until I read this article. And even then, I think investors prefer a reoccurring revenue model over the one-time payment. Anyway, very cool for them, and I wish them success. My only gripe with the whole thing was the Design. Maybe it's because I'm a Designer, but I was not impressed at all by the Design.

iambateman 13y ago
Yeah their landing pages leave a lot to be desired. I haven't seen the app directly. The UX of a QR code is a disaster. Stand back, hold up your phone, DONT SHAKE. It's annoying. But then there's the issue of having QR codes all over our products. Do we really want another UPC code making our stuff look horrible? I don't.

wikiwatchme 13y ago

A friend of mine was on Shark Tank last season and they got mocked by the sharks for their poor business. Nevertheless, they were able to sell the entire company soon after the show aired, all due to the exposure.