Google integrates QR code technology for 100,000 business owners
December 11, 2009
Thanks to Google, QR technology is finally getting the long-over-due mobile marketing spotlight it deserves.
Earlier this year, I talked about the creative way in which Editoras Online integrated QR technology and Twitter to create a stunning viral-marketing campaign. Now, Google fans across the country may soon have an opportunity to interact with QR technology through Google’s latest endeavor called Favorite Places.
What is “Favorite Places”? Well, according to Google:
Over 100,000 businesses were identified as Favorite Places. The list was determined based on the popularity of a business’ Local Business Center listing, as determined by how many times Google users looked for more information about a business, requested driving directions to get there, and more. Google users “decided” based on their actions, and we sent the decals.
What exactly does this mean for the average consumer?
The good…
It means that the most popular (i.e., searched) businesses across the U.S. may soon be equipped with a window decal containing a unique bar code, known as a QR code. So, what’s the big deal? Well, a major benefit of integrating QR codes into print ads is convenience. QR technology is all about pointing and scanning, which eliminates the need to type in lengthy URLs. Bottom line, it’s simply a faster way to deliver relevant content to a mobile device (e.g., reviews, ratings, special promotions, or store coupons if a particular business is offering one).
The bad…
Unlike the ubiquitous nature (and advantage) of using SMS, QR codes reach a limited audience. For now, users with smart phones that have good quality cameras, and have previously located, downloaded and installed the QR software will get the desired results. There are many free and paid QR readers available on the market. Some of the newer mobile devices have QR readers installed or bundled as part of another application.
Want to add a QR reader to your mobile device? Here are some common QR readers to consider:
Google’s move towards integrating QR codes is yet another example of how mobile technology can be used in everyday real-life scenarios. Although QR technology may not appear as “hip” as image recogition, it’s still a valuable technology that we should not overlook.
Check out the video below for a demo of “Favorite Places on Google”…
Mobile to become leading access point for connecting to the internet by 2020
November 22, 2009
Keys, money, and mobile device - these are the three most common things people never leave home without. While we may occasionally run out of the house without our wallet or keys, we almost never leave the house without our mobile device. Why is that? Well, if you really stop and think about it, our mobile device is more than just a phone; it’s our lifeline to the world. Let’s face it, mobile is our second shadow, always-on, and rarely does it ever leave our side. It fills a void. It provides us the ultimate sense of security, comfort, and most importantly it keeps us connected to the people who matter most.
According to a survey on The Future of the Internet III by Pew Research, the following were predictions about technology and its roles in the year 2020:
- The mobile device will be the primary connection tool to the internet for most people in the world in 2020.
- The transparency of people and organizations will increase, but that will not necessarily yield more personal integrity, social tolerance, or forgiveness.
- Voice recognition and touch user-interfaces with the internet will be more prevalent and accepted by 2020.
- Those working to enforce intellectual property law and copyright protection will remain in a continuing arms race, with the crackers who will find ways to copy and share content without payment.
- The divisions between personal time and work time and between physical and virtual reality will be further erased for everyone who is connected, and the results will be mixed in their impact on basic social relations.
- Next-generation engineering of the network to improve the current internet architecture is more likely than an effort to rebuild the architecture from scratch.
Today, we see a lot discussion around topics such as mobile marketing, mobile advertising, mobile search, SMS services, barcode technology, mobile video, augmented reality, touch screen technology, location based services (LBS), and the list goes on. However, I believe we are still only scratching the surface of what mobile has to offer. Who knows what the next 10+ years of mobile innovation will bring us. I am not sure about you but I’m certainly excited.
Isn’t it time to rethink our perspective on mobile? Still need inspiration? Watch this video…
GPS + Jobs + Mobile = Future of Contract Staffing?
September 11, 2009
Mobile technology is changing the way we live and work.
In Japan, a new generation of job-seekers are using a company called Otetsudai Networks to secure part-time work. While contract staffing is nothing new in the U.S., Otetsudai has come up with an interesting solution to hiring temporary resources. Otetsudai Networks is a GPS (location-based) job finding mobile service that matches part-time employees with potential employers.
How does the GPS service help Job-seekers?
Job-seekers subscribe to the service by completing a mini-C.V. detailing their core skills and expertise. The job-seeker have the option of getting job updates by taking a “GPS reading” on their phone. The candidate’s information is added to the pool of available candidates shown to prospective employers. Once a new opportunity becomes available, the job-seeker is immediately notified on their mobile device of potential employment opportunities within their proximity.
How does Otetsudai’s service help employers?
The service particularly caters to businesses seeking to hire immediate resources with specific skills. Once an employer signs up for the service, they can send requests for immediate help to the Otetsudai Network. Whether the employer is seeking someone for an hour, or all day, Otetsudai sends a list of available prospect candidates within the employer’s immediate proximity. The list shows each candidate’s qualifications, how other employers have rated their work and exactly how far away they are. Employers seeking immediate help will typically receive a list of half a dozen or more people within a few minutes.
As location-based services (LBS) increase in popularity, it’s not hard to envision a day when U.S. companies begin leveraging this technology as a method for staffing its temporary workforce. Although still in its infancy, Layar offers an augmented reality app that provides job-seekers a way to identify new opportunities by scanning what’s around you. It’s simply a matter of time before we see U.S. companies adopting the Otetsudai model of leveraging GPS to help mobilize a ready-made talent pool.
Does this still sound too good to be true? Watch the video below…
Atlanta’s first ever iPhone and iPod unconference event
July 15, 2009
In less than three days, I’ll be in mobile-heaven as Atlanta hosts its first-ever iPhone and iPod unconference event. However, don’t be fooled by the conference name. The organizers have planned for two separate ‘tracks’ at the event. The first track will focus heavily on iPhone & iPod devices, while the second track focuses on all other mobiles, Android, Palm Pre, Windows Mobile, etc. According to Jonathan Freeman (conference organizer), there are 300+ registered participants and many more expected to sign-up.
My advice? If you are truly passionate about mobile in general (e.g., iPhones, Androids, Palm Pres, Window Mobiles, Blackberries, design, mobile gaming, coding, mobile media, etc), this event was intended for YOU. The doors will open at 8:00am on Saturday, July 18th but feel free to get there early. I will actually be helping to process many of the incoming attendees so make sure to look me up at the entry point and say hello!
Want a jump start? Grab your mobile, TXT ‘MARLATT‘ to 41411 to get my contact details.
Hope to see you at the event! Oh, and of course, don’t forget to follow @MobileCampATL on Twitter. To register for the FREE unconference event, Click here.
Image source: iPhone Camp Atlanta
QR Codes, Twitter, & Viral-Marketing: A lesson in mobile innovation
July 6, 2009
The Editoras story…
Editoras Online, have you heard of them? If not, don’t worry - you are not the alone. Editoras is the Brazilian equivalent of Amazon.com and they recently launched an ad campaign to promote their online store. Ordinarily, you would write them off as yet another average online business trying to go mobile. However, take a closer look and I think you will agree that their ad-campaign was quite clever. Let’s examine why…
What was special about Editoras Online’s ad-campaign?
As part of their “guerrilla” marketing strategy, they incorporated the use of 4,000 QR code stickers posted throughout São Paulo. Mobile participants quickly discovered that each QR code redirected them to select Twitter messages. Each message related to either love or hate and refreshed every seven days. The unique part of this campaign was that Editoras was able to produce a 200-page “living book” made up entirely of QR codes and messages from Twitter feeds. To close the loop, the messages also carried a “call-to-action” that ultimately drove participants to the Editoras website. The buzz generated from their guerilla campaign was so successful that copies of their book sold-out in less than a week. Now, that’s ROI.
See video for details…
Mobile Recruiting via QR Codes & Twitter?
If you are frequent reader of my blog then you have likely heard me reference the use of 2-D barcodes in the past. There are creative ways to leverage QR code (2-D) technology as demonstrated in the Editoras example above. As an employer, imagine being able to update candidates to your open jobs without having to manually push out the updates. The beauty behind 2-D barcode technology is that the content behind the barcodes can change while the overall framework remains the same. What exactly does this mean? From the employer’s perspective, it means the 2-D barcode could theoretically represent a ‘company brand’ with the ability to render different content at different times. Today, we already see job updates pushed to Twitter, as seen here and here. Integrating the 2-D barcode would be the final piece of this digital marketing strategy.
The challenges with 2-D barcode technology in recruiting?
Yes, I know, all of this is easier said than done. I realize that not every prospect candidate (user) has mobile internet access, or a built-in 2-D barcode reader. Plus, even if a candidate understands this technology, there many different 2-D barcode formats so how does a company decide on which format to use? These are valid questions and they should be asked before attempting to launch this type of mobile strategy. However, there are over 270 million mobile subscribers in the U.S. and mobile internet usage is on the rise. The point is, with the overall increase in U.S. mobile adoption, we are only limited by our imagination on how we connect with this vastly untapped audience.
