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:

» 2dSENSE» Barcode Scanner
» Beetagg
» Kaywa Reader
» Neoreader
» QRApp
» QuickMark
» ScanLife

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.