QR Codes

This week I wanted to take a look at QR codes, those funny black and white designs that are popping up everywhere. What are they? What do they do? What use are they for us moms?

QR is short for Quick Response and a QR code is a two dimensional code that can be read by a special barcode reader on a camera phone. The code is made up of black modules arranged in a pattern on a white background. The information that’s encoded into the code might be a website URL, text or another type of data. I’ve also heard of QR codes that will make phone calls once they’re read. As soon as a code is scanned you are taken directly to the information, site, etc. that’s been encoded. That’s the awesome thing about a QR code, it’s a quick, direct response.

Chances are pretty good that you’ve seen a QR code (or 20 or 30) before. Lately they are literally everywhere. I see them in magazines, on business cards, on the grocery store aisle, on television and more. Once you’ve installed a barcode reader on your phone (more on that in a minute) you can use it to read codes as you find them. If you’re in the grocery aisle and you see a code next to a product, scan the code and you might be taken to a website that has a coupon. Or as you’re reading a magazine you might see a QR code tucked into the text. Scan it and you could find additional information or videos online. One of the magazines I subscribe to uses QR codes on a regular basis. They have a monthly exercise section and the codes take readers to bonus workout videos.

As I mentioned there are apps that will turn your camera phone into a barcode reader. Here are a few that I’ve come across.

For Android Phones:

QR Droid - I’m not an expert on Android phones so I’m going with the app that’s top rated. It’s been given 5 stars by PC World.

For iPhones/iPad/iPod Touches:

RedLaser - Barcode Scanner and QR Code Reader – I’ve always liked RedLaser. It’s great to see that it now reads QR Codes and it’s also now a free app.

Scan - Scan is a free, straightforward QR Scanner. It’s description says “If your iPhone came with a built in QR Code scanner, this would be it!”

QR Reader for iPhone - This QR reader also allows you to create your own QR Codes.

QuickMark - QR Code Reader – QuickMark is recommended by Google and works with a Chrome browser extension. You can also create your own codes.

Qrafter - Originally designed for the iPad this universal app is free with an in-app purchase for additional features. It claims to work very well on small codes.

So why am I bothering to write about these funny little codes? What good are they to me as a mom anyway? My husband’s been talking about them for awhile but I’ve resisted scanning and doing anything with them. Honestly, I’ve been writing them off as a gimmick. But that was before I really understood what they were and exactly what they could do. I didn’t get the fact that this little pattern could save me money through extra coupons. Or that it might take me straight to a business’ website instead of my having to hunt around for information on the internet. I’ve come around to the fact that QR codes might take a tiny bit of extra work with the scanning but they can also save me time and money. For me that’s not a gimmick at all!