24/7 Why QR?
| Category: QR Code, Data Matrix... By editor at 11:07 |
Lars from Wirelesswatch Japan left me a comment on an earlier post. I want to respond here, why I think QR Codes are by far superiour to any other existing code.
Today I am biased, as we also have the Kaywa Reader, but before starting this new venture we did an extensive research on all codes in usage today, ColorZip being one of then.
So in regard to ColorZip I want to mention the following points.
Today I am biased, as we also have the Kaywa Reader, but before starting this new venture we did an extensive research on all codes in usage today, ColorZip being one of then.
So in regard to ColorZip I want to mention the following points.
- Print for newspapers is still mainly a black and white business. Also you have to deal with paper color (not pure white) and with printing quality. QR Code with it's good error correction (up to 30%) is therefore an ideal code for this use case.
- Printers: In households, printers are still mainly black and white. If you want that people can easily print out QR codes for non-commercial purposes, ColorZip doesn't make sense. So for DYI-culture QR Code is the way to go.
- ColorZip and most other proprietary codes have not separated the creation of the code, the software and the server in between. This has some advantages, but it has definitely more drawbacks. You rely on one single company for everything.
- ColorZip and most other proprietary codes always need a translation server in-between, QR doesn't necessarily. Stuff like SMS, telephone numbers and text etc. happen purely on the phone itself without any server transaction.
- ColorZip like most of the codes used with mobile phones are not standardised yet. QR however is an ISO, AIM, JIS standard. Also Denso Wave is very open about its usage. This will pay out in the long run.
- ColorZip is not widely distributed yet. QR is, not only in Japan, but in Taiwan and China as well.
- Color matters, but is also a dangerous field. We use color too though, but only (some experiments notwithstanding) on background and code colors so that the QR Code integrates well in a already existing designs (see example). We are still experimenting though. The combination of color and forms is a bit more problematic. The ColorZip codes I have seen so far did not really enthuse me. However it could well be that there is some improvements I didn't see yet.
Comments
Lars
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lcosh-ishii [at] wirelesswatch.jp
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http://www.wirelesswatch.jp
2006-07-25 03:30:17
Indeed.. as I said ColorZip is at peek at the 'next-gen' of codes. Many points you make here are very good, pre-installed and open-source for instance have proven critical for adoption.
However there are certain undeniable advantages to the ColorZip platform, not the least of which is readability. Anyone who has tried to scan a standard b&w code will have found that you need to be mere inches away and in good light. Try scanning a QR off the side of a bus from the street or from a TV screen while sitting on the couch across the room.. good luck.
Business models and hence wider availability are always challenges for technologies to aquire critical mass, this is no exception. While ColorZip has become the defacto standard in Korea, coming pre-installed in Samsung, LG etc. handsets, it has yet to really spread into other markets. When you consider how long it has taken for Denso Waves current standard to gain recognition overseas then it's easy enough to forcast an evolution timeline.
I don't see this needs to be an either/or scenario. Users want a camera-phone that can shoot still or video images. So, when it comes to scanning codes they should not have care if the target is color or b&w.. just that it works!
Cheers.
2006-07-25 03:30:17
Indeed.. as I said ColorZip is at peek at the 'next-gen' of codes. Many points you make here are very good, pre-installed and open-source for instance have proven critical for adoption.
However there are certain undeniable advantages to the ColorZip platform, not the least of which is readability. Anyone who has tried to scan a standard b&w code will have found that you need to be mere inches away and in good light. Try scanning a QR off the side of a bus from the street or from a TV screen while sitting on the couch across the room.. good luck.
Business models and hence wider availability are always challenges for technologies to aquire critical mass, this is no exception. While ColorZip has become the defacto standard in Korea, coming pre-installed in Samsung, LG etc. handsets, it has yet to really spread into other markets. When you consider how long it has taken for Denso Waves current standard to gain recognition overseas then it's easy enough to forcast an evolution timeline.
I don't see this needs to be an either/or scenario. Users want a camera-phone that can shoot still or video images. So, when it comes to scanning codes they should not have care if the target is color or b&w.. just that it works!
Cheers.
Roger
2006-07-25 23:48:07
Hi Lars,
I have attached above two videos which show how quickly the QR Code is read. I don't see there any flaw at all.
Anyway, I would be interested if you can point me to ColorZip"-ped" mobile blogs. Also have you seen ColorZip appear on Cyworld?
Thanks
PS: I agree, I don't see the either/or scenario personally. I am just thinking about phone manufacturers, telcos, media companies etc.;)
2006-07-25 23:48:07
Hi Lars,
I have attached above two videos which show how quickly the QR Code is read. I don't see there any flaw at all.
Anyway, I would be interested if you can point me to ColorZip"-ped" mobile blogs. Also have you seen ColorZip appear on Cyworld?
Thanks
PS: I agree, I don't see the either/or scenario personally. I am just thinking about phone manufacturers, telcos, media companies etc.;)
Lars
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lcosh-ishii [at] wirelesswatch.jp
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http://www.wirelesswatch.jp
2006-07-26 02:47:33
Roger:
Hmmm, those FLV's are not 'connecting..'
Since you have my e-addy, pls. drop me a note there sometime.
Lars.
2006-07-26 02:47:33
Roger:
Hmmm, those FLV's are not 'connecting..'
Since you have my e-addy, pls. drop me a note there sometime.
Lars.
Roger
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http://id.kaywa.com/roger
2006-07-26 10:09:40
Hi Lars,
It works perfectly here, but I'll see into it and will anyhow make a bitorrent file later on.
Are you based in Japan?
2006-07-26 10:09:40
Hi Lars,
It works perfectly here, but I'll see into it and will anyhow make a bitorrent file later on.
Are you based in Japan?
Lars
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lcosh-ishii [at] wirelesswatch.jp
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http://www.wirelesswatch.jp
2006-07-28 14:17:42
Roger:
Still not loading here in IE or FF.. maybe send me the absolute link to your .flv and I'll pull it down to view locally.
Yes, I am based in Japan the last 5 years
Cheers.
2006-07-28 14:17:42
Roger:
Still not loading here in IE or FF.. maybe send me the absolute link to your .flv and I'll pull it down to view locally.
Yes, I am based in Japan the last 5 years
Cheers.
Roger
2006-08-02 13:24:16
Hi Lars,
Well I asked around and it seems to work for anybody else. I'll send you an email, as soon as we have a download version.
2006-08-02 13:24:16
Hi Lars,
Well I asked around and it seems to work for anybody else. I'll send you an email, as soon as we have a download version.
