Despite the rabid success QR codes have been experiencing in the world of marketing, consumers in the U.S. and some parts of Europe have been slow to warm to the barcodes. At times, the blocky patterns can be seen ominous, especially when companies do not inform consumers how to use the codes. A general lack of knowledge is one of the primary barriers keeping QR codes from mass acceptance. While some companies are focusing their efforts on raising awareness of the codes, others are adopting another technology, citing its ease of use and immediate consumer appeal.
NFC technology is, indeed, a technology that is attracting the attention of a growing number of advertisers. Recently, NFC has been closely associated with mobile commerce, being the key technology to unlocking a future of electronic payments. This, however, is not the only use of the technology, as it has been shown to be a powerful marketing tool in the past. A simple wave of a smart phone can initiate an NFC connection, allowing consumers to obtain the content offered by such technology.
The only problem with NFC is that there are currently very few smart phones that can interact with the technology. This is being remedied by companies like Nokia who are developing new mobile devices that can make use of the technology right away. NFC may not be enough to dethrone QR codes, but it is certainly a technology that poses a myriad of benefits to those that can use it.
