Welcome to the Future…
May 17th, 2008 by HeywoodComing soon to a phone near you: Scanbuy’s Scanlife software, which allows users to create and interact with 2 dimensional barcodes, which serve to link the physical world with the virtual world (and no, I don’t mean Second Life).
All you have to do to interact with a 2D barcode (like the one below) is install Scanbuy’s software (free) and then take a picture of any 2d barcode with your phone. Because the square barcode is made up of a lot of smaller squares that are either black or white and nothing in between, the crossword-like barcode is essentially a graphical depiction of the binary numeral system, and can contain as much or more information than a hyperlink (like http://www.blogadilla.com). Not to mention that they can exist and be interacted with in the physical world.
2-D barcodes are already widely deployed and used in Asia and in parts of Europe, but have yet to hit the US market because our mobile landscape has been comprised of 4 companies that together hold a monopoly on what we can and can’t do with our phones. But times are a changing with the advent of the iPhone, which I’m told, with the new firmware set to release in June, will be compatible with Scanbuy’s software. If your phone is already compatible, try it out! Otherwise, be on the lookout.
PS: HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY BLOGADILLA!! (you’re growing up so fast!)
May 18th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Okay . . .that’s really cool . . . I’m going to start labeling everything I own with 2D barcodes . . .
May 19th, 2008 at 2:53 am
It should be noted that:
Scanbuy’s indirect resolution process, which they use for their proprietary EZcode, is infringing on NeoMedia Technologies’ core patents.
Scanbuy uses the indirect encoding method for their barcode resolution process.
Indirect encoding (patented by NeoMedia) is the process of linking the target information to an index (364528 for example) and putting that unique identifier into a 1D UPC/EAN or 2D barcode. The code reader on the mobile phone reads the barcode and sends the code data over the Internet to a central resolution server that will tell the mobile phone what action is associated with the index, i.e. access a URL, download media, initiate a phone call, ect.
NeoMedia Technologies has a suite of twelve issued patents covering the core concepts behind linking the physical world to the electronic world dating back to 1995.
http://neom.com/13.html
NeoMedia brought suit against Scanbuy. Litigation has been ongoing.
May 19th, 2008 at 3:01 am
Three Words: New Geek Tattoos
May 19th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
what happens when you get fat and the barcode tattoo stretches?