Current reports from JumpScan, a leader of social QR, shows Apple’s iPhone is proving to be much more popular amongst the QR crowd than Google’s Android. Compiling research from 5,000 mobile devices, the iPhone comes out on top, Android second and Blackberry a far cry at third. JumpScan co-founder, Mike McKearin, theorizes that time is in the iPhone’s favor, as it was available some time before Android devices. The gap is likely to close as Android users grow more accustomed to QR implemented in mobile websites.
JumpScan is a veritable equivalent to social media through use of QR codes. Allowing users to consolidate information, such as their contact information, as well as feeds to their other social media presences, the service has been heralded as a digital business card.
With every profile attributed with a QR code, users simply need to scan the code to be connected with another person. Says co-founder, Phil Davis: “A JumpScan QR code provides a convenient way for potential customers to connect on-the-fly, simply using a web-enabled phone.”
Smart phones are powerful tools and companies like JumpScan are starting to take notice of their versatility in communicating with consumers. According to Nielsen reports, smart phones penetration is at 25 percent of its particular market and, should the trend continue, will surpass any other mobile devices by the end of 2011.
With QR gaining ground on the social networking front, smart phones may one day come with pre-installed scanners. With the ability to instantly connect with people through a simple scan, and downloading all their contact information straight to your phone, “the days when people say ‘Friend me,’ or ‘Let me type in your number,” are quickly coming to an end.
