QR Codes or Quick Response Codes are two-dimensional barcodes that use dot matrices on a card to store, encode and read large quantities of data in various formats be they URL, picture or video. Unlike ordinary barcodes which can store up to only 20 digits, QR Codes are two-dimensional with capacity of storage up to 7806 characters. Due to its ability to send metadata on URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) redirection to existing smart phone applications, it can serve as a highly useful bridge between two data lines.
There are many different QR Code Readers available to download and use for most phones. There are even QR Code Readers to download to be used on Macs and PCs. Before you set out to build your marketing campaign using QR Codes, read on to discover which Readers you will recommend to your customers, clients or readers.
I-nigma
I-nigma comes installed in all of Japan’s major mobile manufacturers and reads QR Code, Datamatrix, EAN13, EAN8, UPC-A and UPC-E.
Latest Version: 3.10.07
Publisher: 3GVision
Release date: September 22, 2010
Compatibility: iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.1 or later.
File size 1.52MB
Price: FREE
Strengths
I-nigma is based on 3GVisions’ advanced bar-code technology and is considered standard by Japanese hand set manufacturers.
Weaknesses
N/A
Neo-Reader
NeoReader supports a range of mobile devices and reads QR codes, Datamatrix, Aztec Codes, EAN, UPC and Code 128.
Latest : Version 2.00
Publisher: NeoMedia Technologies, Inc.
Release date: March 08, 2010
Compatibility: The NeoReader QR-Code reader is only available on the following Apple, Blackberry, HTC, Motorola, Nokia, O2, Palm, Samsung, Siemens, Sony Ericsson and T-Mobile mobile phones.
File size: 390.62K
Price: FREE
Strengths
NeoReader developed by NeoReader Technologies can read barcodes for a good range of mobile devices. A marketing goal has been to be able to bridge the gap between the physical and virtual worlds. So it wants to be a pioneering device.
Weaknesses
It has attracted negative reviews for its “unofficial” role as source of specific data about users to paying companies. However, this fact has not been confirmed by NeoReader’s own web site.
QuickMark
QuickMark supports a range of mobile devices and reads QR Codes, Datamatrix and the proprietary code QuickMark.
Latest Version : 4.0.4
Publisher: SimpleAct Inc.
Release date: June 10, 2011
Version 4.0.4
Compatibility: Android 1.6
File size 1.05MB
Price: £1.49
Strength
QuickMark allows auto-scanning of multiple barcode formats from your phone. (Quick Code, QR Code, Data Matrix, EAN 8/13, Code39, Code128). The latest Version: Version 4.0.4 adds bulk scanning options, customized search URL settings option, QuickAction toolbar in History (tap barcode icon to launch), and includes debugger also.
There are also Mac and PC versions which you can use to scan QR Codes via a Mac or PC’s webcam.
Weaknesses
N/A
Other QR Code Readers
Kaywa
Kaywa supports a range of mobile devices and reads QR Code and Datamatrix. Kaywa is a very popular 2DBarcode reader (QR Code and Datamatrix) that can be installed on a number of mobile devices for scanning and resolving these codes. It can hold several types of information: a URL, mobile sites addresses, SMS, phone no.s, text of any kind and email addresses.
List of supported phones: http://reader.kaywa.com/phones
Zxing
Zxing bar code reader has clients for Android, Java, and iPhone but not Windows mobile devices and reads QR Code, Code 39, Code 128, UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8 and EAN-13. Zxing supports a wide range of functions from sending URL addresses, emails, SMS, telephone, vCard info, bizcard, iCal, YouTube URI etc. It is applicable on both iPhones and Androids. Zxing supports product searches but only from the Google Product search page and limits product search from limited country sets and selected regions.
Apple iOS 4 can be supported by zxing 1.7 but it does not support iOS versions prior to iOS 4.
As you have noted, some QR Code Readers will work better on particular phones, some will not redirect whilst others will and so on. If you are investing in Dynamic QR Codes, like SQUARE:CODES, then consider which app will help you update your Dynamic QR Codes the quickest.
