I read a post last week debating whether QR codes are a fad or a marketing trend ripe for growth. My thought was… REALLY?
QR codes are not a fad, that would imply they ever had value or were a phenomenon in the first place. QR codes were dead on arrival. Sure, they have their place, and can be useful here and there, but who needs another thing to do to get information. Just what today’s overloaded, over worked, no hands free shoppers needs… to hold their smart-phone up to a code, wiggle it around, wait for it to load, then observe.
Reminds me of the big plastic keys we used to have at the Bronx Zoo in the 1960’s that you inserted in a box outside the animal cages to hear a story… yeah, let’s bring them back 😉
Please chime in if you have an opinion and have not already in the FB discussion below.
Talk about a hatchet job. After reading the post and the responses one can be fooled to believe this is personal.
Let’s clarify a couple of things before making a decision.
1. The world has gone mobile. What this means is people are using mobile devices and are with them almost 24/7. More mobile phones have been shipped in 2011 than PC’s
According to the number of mobile devices out there it would seem that 77% of the world’s population is a mobile user. (Only according the number of devices)
2. People are using their mobile devices for everything from travel plans to grocery shopping and theater ticket purchasing.
3. Companies are developing mobile sites as they realize the ability to reach and engage potential users and customers anywhere and anytime is huge.
4. The QR Code is a a tool that bridges the offline to online, from print to mobile. It is not some magic potion that if plastered on an ad will produce results.
The QR Code might be getting hacked to death but by those who are misusing it.
If people where trying to use a hammer upside down, where’s the problem? With the hammer or with the users?
Here is a recent post I wrote on this issue: https://blog.visualead.com/2012/09/the-qr-code-is-not-dying-its-getting-hacked-to-death-but-not-by-nfc/
Ari… this has nothing to do with how many smart phones are in use. How about the problem that nobody cares, has the time, or the hands available to make use of QR codes at retail. It is a wasted technology that never took hold. It is reactive, not proactive and for the most part a wasted part of a marketing program. Ok… just my humble opinion 🙂
Thanks for your viewpoint and input…. truly appreciated.