Hum Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 (CNN) -- Quick response (QR) codes -- those two-dimensional barcodes that resemble a checkerboard on LSD -- are appearing more frequently on billboards, magazine ads, business cards, stickers, T-shirts and anything that is used to promote stuff. But evidence suggests many people don't understand what QR codes are or what to do with them. You might think that if anyone would know how to use a QR code, it would be college students -- a demographic that is immersed in technology and bombarded by marketing. But a recent study found that nearly eight in 10 college students had no idea what to do with a QR code. Archrival, a research group that focuses on youth marketing, surveyed 500 students at 24 colleges and universities across the United States. They found that although about 80% of students owned a smartphone and had previously seen a QR code, only about 20% were able to successfully scan the example QR code they were shown. Furthermore, about 75% said they were unlikely to scan a QR code in the future. "Why the discrepancy?" wrote Don Aguirre, brand manager at Archrival. "Students simply struggled with the process. Some didn't know a third-party app was needed [to scan the QR code]. Many mistakenly assumed it could be activated with their camera. And others just lost interest, saying the activity took too long. "Unless QR codes become easier, more nimble, and can provide content that engenders a more meaningful connection to the brand or product, students will continue to shower them with apathy." more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+John. Subscriber¹ Posted December 8, 2011 Subscriber¹ Share Posted December 8, 2011 The barrier for me is having to create extra steps to get to content. I'm fine with typing in an email, but for first time scanners it's a case of going to the app store, choosing an app, downloading, installing, scanning and then finally getting to scan a QR code that's just a link to a website anyway. ozgeek 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astra.Xtreme Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 The barrier for me is having to create extra steps to get to content. I'm fine with typing in an email, but for first time scanners it's a case of going to the app store, choosing an app, downloading, installing, scanning and then finally getting to scan a QR code that's just a link to a website anyway. This. For such a "simple" concept, it takes way too many steps for the end result. Maybe when a phone's camera can natively interpret the QR codes (without a third-party app), it will become useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Patriot Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Shouldn't the title by "Why aren't QR codes catching on?" since that is what the article is asking? That being said, I'm 40 years old and I use them when I see them. And most phones I've seen come with a barcode scanner installed already, so there isn't much doubt about what to do with them (hell, the icon for the scanner software usually looks like a QR barcode). Also, I still never will understand why surveyors assume that college age kids are the prime demographic for technology. Most college age kids I know are more focused on sex and beer than they are on technology. I'd say 25-50 would be the prime age for technology users. Glassed Silver 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon H Supervisor Posted December 8, 2011 Supervisor Share Posted December 8, 2011 The barrier for me is having to create extra steps to get to content. I'm fine with typing in an email, but for first time scanners it's a case of going to the app store, choosing an app, downloading, installing, scanning and then finally getting to scan a QR code that's just a link to a website anyway. oh, and then there's the fact that if you don't hold your phone absolutely still it won't scan the code correctly Shouldn't the title by "Why aren't QR codes catching on?" since that is what the article is asking? That being said, I'm 40 years old and I use them when I see them. And most phones I've seen come with a barcode scanner installed already, so there isn't much doubt about what to do with them (hell, the icon for the scanner software usually looks like a QR barcode). Also, I still never will understand why surveyors assume that college age kids are the prime demographic for technology. Most college age kids I know are more focused on sex and beer than they are on technology. I'd say 25-50 would be the prime age for technology users. your assumption is right in some cases, but in the current day and age there are a lot of people in college for a technology related field right now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted December 8, 2011 Author Share Posted December 8, 2011 ^ The article is supposed to be answering the 'why'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charisma Veteran Posted December 8, 2011 Veteran Share Posted December 8, 2011 For me it's not even the app issue--I downloaded a scanner program a long time ago--it's just that I don't really care about going to their website (often it isn't even a mobile version, wtf?) on my phone. If it were something more useful to me, I might scan them more often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Patriot Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 your assumption is right in some cases, but in the current day and age there are a lot of people in college for a technology related field right now More than likely, those would cover the 20% in the article that knew what to do with a QR code. There are far more students in non-technological fields than there are in technology-centric fields. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulsiphon Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 QR is a fad just like Facebook. Nobody smart cares. Class dismissed. Brandon H 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deactivated_ Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 If it's something that I am interested in, I'm more than capable of typing their web address myself.... In far less time than it takes to get out my phone, scan the QR code.... Charisma 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Patriot Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 it's just that I don't really care about going to their website (often it isn't even a mobile version, wtf?) on my phone. Yeah, I've seen that quite a few times myself. It seems that some of the people who make use of them are clueless about HOW they are actually used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakem1 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 99% of the QR codes I see are part of an advertisement. Given the fact that I spend most of my time trying to avoid advertising, why would I go to the trouble to scan a code that would give me more information about an ad? IMO this is the reason why nobody's interested in them - they're rarely used in a useful way. deactivated_, Charisma and Syanide 3 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I know all about QR codes.... I even have a scanner app on my phone.... and I've scanned exactly ONE QR code :/ And that was to test the scanner app lol 99% of the time I don't see why I would want to scan them in the first place Brandon H 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LogicalApex MVC Posted December 8, 2011 MVC Share Posted December 8, 2011 Yea QR Codes are a pain... Bing Vision is the first good implementation that I've used. So I notice I use them more now. More is probably twice a year instead of once, but still it is more... MightyJordan 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 QR codes are ugly and a pain in the ass. They don't make navigating to a site any easier than just having a short (and far more iconic) URL would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellofsouls Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 It's just unneeded sophistication. Why not just display the URL itself, which could be just as easily interpreted by an OCR software, and still human understandable instead of appearing like garbage to the human eyes. It seems the only use is to artificially hide the URL info from normal people for some ulterior reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Johnny Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Doesn't help that most barcode scanners don't allow your camera to go into macro mode. I see a lot I might be interested in, but those ones tend to be tiny, and the bar code scanner can't focus on them. I've found it a lot easier to get into it with Windows Phone though, seeing as you can get to the scanner by pressing the search button from anywhere on the phone and then the vision button, but again it would be nice to just have it built into the camera app really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeta_immersion Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I knew about QR codes but like many tought you takea pic and it knows (I know not a complete thought there). Too much hassle to get an app, and do whatever it neds to be done. I would much rather remember a site or key words than take phone, unlock, start app (if had), take pic, upload, get info .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Miller Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 It would be nice it the QR Code reading functionality is built in to the iPhone or Android phones, no one will use them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syanide Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Using QR codes to me is like turning the TV on with the intention of watching commercials. No thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Using QR codes to me is like turning the TV on with the intention of watching commercials. No thanks. Pretty much this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryster Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 The fact that most of you believe QR codes are solely for the encoding of web URLs on advertisements is part of the problem. QR codes can contain far more than just a URL. You can encode email addresses, telephone numbers, or any other text into a QR code. You can even embed an SMS message and mobile number into a QR code. Have a play by generating some of your own here... http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ I've used them before to put my phone number and email address onto the bottom of an advert to sell my old PC. I've even seen somebody (and admittedly this is geeky) have a big QR code printed on a T-Shirt with their phone number encoded into it :-) Another good use for them is on the webpages of mobile phone app developers. Interested in their app? Just scan the QR code with your phone which takes you straight to that app on the phone's market app. Brian Miller 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenomorph Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Like others have said, there are just too many steps. I see a code. I have to pull out my device, load app (wait), scan code (maybe try and retry), only have it pop up a message saying it wants to load some site ".com". I tell people "it would have just been easier and quicker to tell me to go to their site, instead of loading stuff to take me to their site". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xilo Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 xda-developers also heavily uses QR codes. Since it's primarily a site that features Android downloads, all attachments get QR codes generated. Find a theme/program/mod/whatever someone posted on there? Just scan the QR code and you'll get the link to download. Pretty useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason S. Global Moderator Posted December 8, 2011 Global Moderator Share Posted December 8, 2011 The fact that most of you believe QR codes are solely for the encoding of web URLs on advertisements is part of the problem. QR codes can contain far more than just a URL. they CAN contain far more information but i only ever seen them for advertisements. it'd be neat if they served another purpose: perhaps an unreleased movie trailer... or a coupon for whatever restaurant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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