and many more.
What makes QR codes interesting ?
QR codes can be worthwhile for business's and corporations which could utilise the codes as a marketing campaign. QR codes are interesting due to its possibilities and are a new way in which data is now being delivered to the public. The codes are being produced on different types of print media and numerous types of digital information can be delivered to the public. These codes are becoming more common and popular in the western world in places like USA , Europe and South Africa (QR codes explained, 2011).
This technology is spontaneous and users maybe surprised at what information can be delivered to them and where these codes can found. The city of New York displayed giant QR codes during Internet Week 2010 where 11 New York agencies participated in the interactive billboard initiative. During this time the public could scan the codes to get information about the agencies, enter competitions and receive free ringtones (Van Grove, 2010). The codes can also be found in Museums to enhance visitor experience and to create more communication with visitors while educating them about the displays, history and participating in online interactive tours (Wheeler, 2011).
What do QR codes demonstrate about changes in communication?
Originally QR codes were used to track parts in vehicle manufacturing but are now being utilised in a completely different way (Wave,2010). This reflects how print media material has been adapted by mediatisation.
The market of smartphones is growing faster than any other market and by 2014 it is expected that mobile web usage will overtake desktop web usage (Watters, 2010). Changes in the communication revolution have empowered new forms of media that use new technologies. QR codes are being used as a new method of communication, marketing and media outlet.
QR codes demonstrate the changes of the speed of communication and how users are more accustomed to instantaneously retrieving information from things like the internet, email and text messaging (Wasserman, pg 132).
This technology brings in audience involvement as it is very interactive with users and with the emerging trends of media personalisation and participation reflects the need for media to build stronger relationships with their audience due to decreasing loyalties and a shift to personal preferences (Enli, Syversten pg 149-151). Museums which use QR codes are creating a different way to learn about history that can be personalised to suit the visitors to enhance their experience.
QR codes also reflect how old forms of media are being adapted to new technology. These codes have changed printed advertising campaigns making them more interactive and accessible. Brands and businesses are using QR codes to boost their marketing campaigns to engage mobile user audiences (Avivo,2011).
How useful and effective are QR codes ?
There are many different uses for QR codes that have created new and innovative ways which they are being used by businesses and the general public. The technology is gaining usage in the smartphone market but currently not all mobile phones are able to use QR codes. Smartphones like Android, Nokia, Blackberry handsets, and also the Nintendo 3DS, come with QR code readers already installed. Users can also create QR codes for their own purposes using online QR code generators ranging from basic free codes to costly premium codes (QR codes explained,2011). The QR reader software is available for most mobile platforms but is restricted to the smartphone market.
According to a survey by BeQRious (2010) it revealed that 5 out of 10 people have heard about QR codes and that 3 out of 10 have scanned one. The survey also revealed that there were 13 times as many people scanning QR codes in December 2010, compared to those in January 2010. This reflects that the technology is gaining more awareness and more people are scanning QR codes, the market is still on the rise and is expected to become even more popular in the near future (Avivo, 2011). QR codes are becoming more useful and more codes are turning up in all kinds of places around the world.
Bibliography
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Brooks, R. (2011). 13 Creative Ways to Use QR Codes for Marketing. Retrived from <>
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Avivo. (2011). Retrieved September 1, 2011, from <>
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QR codes explained. (2011). Retrieved September 1, 2011, from <>
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Van Grove, J. (2010). City of New York Blankets Times Square with Giant QR Codes. Retrieved from <http://mashable.com/2010/06/10/internet-week-qr-codes/>
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Wheeler, J. (2011). QR codes in Museums. Retrived from <>
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Watters, A. (2010). The Future is Mobile. Retrieved from <>
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BeQRious. (2010). The Status of QR Codes: Statistics and Some Fun Facts. Retrieved from <>
