QR Codes - Internet to Cell Phone via Camera

An anonymous reader writes "From ITWorldCanada comes an article about a technology that might change the way people use their cell phones in North America: 'A Toronto-based software developer wants to bring Quick Response (QR) codes to Canada, and an industry analyst says this may appeal to companies offering products and services to youth.' McDonald's restaurants in Japan having been using the codes for over a year to present nutritional information on the cell phones of their customers. QR codes were originally developed by Tokyo-based Denso Wave Inc. and are common in Japan. When published in print form — on billboards, transit ads, vehicles or other media — consumers can then take pictures of the images and have them converted to links, phone numbers or other advertising messages."

Comments

elementary, my dear watson

[User 956]

McDonald's restaurants in Japan having been using the codes for over a year to present nutritional information on the cell phones of their customers.

This article was almost believable, except for the fact that there's no such thing as "McDonald's nutritional information".

Re:elementary, my dear watson

[Faylone]

http://www.mcdonalds.com/app_controller.nutrition.index1.html While nothing on there is very healthy, with proper planning, you could fit a burger into a CAREFULLY PLANNED day of eating and still stay eating quite healthy, make it a regular habit and then things start to become a problem. That said, you're probably happier not knowing what's in it if you're not willing to stop eating it constantly.

Why not just have bar codes on the ads?

[AuMatar]

Then they can scan the barcode for the information. Heck, we can even give away free barcode scanners with magazines to make them do it- just make them cute looking. I'm thinking maybe a cat.

Excellent!!

[esmith512]

This means my cell phone in 2009 will finally be able to read those QR graphics on Japanese web pages written in 2004!

Big in Japan

[LostInJapan]

For proof of just how big QR codes are in Japan, have a look at this. http://arity.blogspot.com/2007/12/information-density.html

Read the post more carefully

[Kupfernigk]

It says "present nutritional information on the cell phones of their customers." They tell you how much nutritional value there is in eating the cell phone. As nylon and some other plastics contain amino acids, this is not quite as stupid as it sounds.