Technology is changing the way people interact with the world around them, change that is coming at an alarming rate. Two decades ago, few would have believed that TV commercials would become interactive. Fewer believed that cell phones would be useful anything more than phone calls. Now, interactive marketing isn’t simply a fantasy: It’s a standard. Companies that don’t adhere to the latest technological trends are often left behind by consumers who are always on the lookout for a quicker, more engaging experience.
Mobile technology is the latest trend. Oddly enough, the proliferation of such technology is championed by the QR code – a data matrix barcode that is already several decades old. The codes are simple blocky patterns yet don’t operate in the same capacity as traditional barcodes. A wealth of digital content can be stored in those blocks, content that can be unlocked by using a smart phone. Consumers can use the codes to get nearly instantaneous access to whatever a company is offering with little to no cost to the company using them.
QR codes have been the subject of debate, of course. Some say the codes are ushering in a new era of mobile marketing and consumer-business interaction. Others argue that the codes are antiquated and beyond their prime, waiting to be overtaken by newer barcodes. Google recently weighed in on the debate by dropping their support for the codes. This has had little effect on how people perceive them, however, and the codes have continued to grow in popularity at a rapid rate.
The codes have been used in many industries, from fashion to real estate, and many more are now turning to QR codes to add a new dimension to their products. Other organizations, such as libraries and public transit systems, have adopted the codes as well.
With mobile technology gaining momentum, QR codes are becoming the tool of choice for just about everyone.