Update: do read Where have all the QR codes gone? Finally, a newspaper that's trying out QR codes in India: Mid Day has introduced QR codes in the publication to enable readers to use their mobile phones to access rich media content. QR codes, which are two dimensional codes that can be printed on just about any surface - windows, hoardings, newspapers, magazines, or even accessible on the web, are deciphered by QR code reading software. You just have to take a photo with your mobile phone camera, and the software will display text or links on your mobile. The text is usually for messages to be sent to a short code, or links for downloading rich media content or promotions via the mobile web. (news via Exchange4Media) Mid Day is using QR codes for providing access to multimedia content: in this case, asking users to view a video (hence GPRS will be required) and answer a quiz. However, QR codes don't necessarily have to be used with GPRS enabled handsets - in Japan, where QR codes are the norm, even business cards have QR codes, for quickly adding contact details into the mobile phonebook. Challenges While QR code readers are pre-loaded on handsets in Japan, very few people in India are aware of it: hardly anyone has the software installed. It will be a challenge for Mid-Day, because users will first have to install the software: they suggest using i-nigma for QR code reading, but several other free software are…
