Quick Reference or QR codes are those densely populated grids that appear within a square that can hold more information than its predecessor bar code. Once you scan the code from a capable devise, it takes the user directly to the web site. It is being used for inventory tracking, event ticketing and advertising. The Tokyo based Denso Wave invented the code technology in 1994 in order to track the auto parts inventory.
Its use has been more prominent within last two years and in December 2011, 8.4 percent magazine ads carried it according to Bloomberg Businessweek. Fandango is installing QR code readers at movie theaters to read codes from smart devices for proof of purchase of tickets. New Apple iPhones will carry ticket reading capabilities for Fandango. However, it appears that the trendiness of the QR code is dwindling. Only 5 percent of the Americans scanned QR codes between May and July 2011.
Only the smartphone users can scan the code after downloading an app. Person needs to hold the phone steady to scan and it can’t scan a code from a distance. Additionally, the smartphones requires internet service availability to obtain access to the scanned web site.