Alternative To QR Code Uses NFC and Cheap Rectennas

An anonymous reader writes "The BBC reports researchers in Korea have developed a technology that can be used as a viable alternative to QR codes. Made of plastic and electronic ink, the rectennas cost less than one penny each to produce and use the NFC standards for wireless radio communication to devices. They are seen as a cheap, easy-to-print and environmentally friendly way to overcome the limitations and inconvenience of QR codes, the usage of which has greatly increased in the last few years."

Comments

Rectannas

[Anonymous Coward]

Rectannas is just not an appealing word...

Re:Rectannas

[stevegee58]

Reminds me of Cartman's anal probe.

Re:Rectannas

[SydShamino]

Sadly, this is what first came to mind:
http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb57525/southpark/images/d/dd/CartmanGetsanAnalProbe21.gif

I'm sorry this is so off topic; the word distracted me so.

Re:Rectannas

[arielCo]

Quoth the 2nd link in TFS (I know, I'm relatively new here):

A rectenna is a rectifying antenna, a special type of antenna that is used to convert microwave energy into direct current electricity.

(Boldface in the original)

Re:Rectannas

[rubycodez]

indeed, their marketing department had concerns about certain unfavorable connotations, so with the next model they are rebranding the line to Poopchutenna(tm).

Re:Rectannas

[CmdrPorno]

I always wanted a rectal antenna.

Re:Rectannas

[Cute Fuzzy Bunny]

Quoth the 2nd link in TFS (I know, I'm relatively new here):

A rectenna is a rectifying antenna, a special type of antenna that is used to convert microwave energy into direct current electricity.

(Boldface in the original)

Absolutely 100% incorrect. This is a rectal antenna. I knew the cell phone companies would find a way to stick it up our butts eventually.

Re:Rectannas

[cayenne8]

I'm still trying to figure out what a QR Code is....

Re:Rectannas

[formfeed]

Reminds me of Cartman's anal probe.

A rectanna is a cantenna that uses your body's capacitance for tuning. A process called 'sqeezing' will tune it to a different resonance

Re:Rectannas

[Havenwar]

Short for Quantum Rectal Code.

It's complicated. All about qubits, existing in two states at once, and giant rectennas in uncomfortable places.

Re:Rectannas

[mcgrew]

Wikipedia is your friend.

Missing the point?

[squiggleslash]

The entire point of a QR-Code is that it can be placed where-ever anything visual can be placed. You can put a QR code on a billboard, on a streetsign, on a television image, in a newspaper, on a bus ad...

Re:Missing the point?

[Grantbridge]

The great thing about text is you can put it anywhere anything visual can be placed! You can but a tinyurl.com/acmeadd on a billboard, on a streetsign, on a television image.... (And its still quicker to type than to get the camera all lined up to QR code something you pass on a bus.)

Re:Missing the point?

[siddesu]

When I hear "antenna" and "NFC" I can't help but think that QR has one important "shortcomming" -- it can only get into my phone if I want it to. Now, imagine the marketing potential for something that can be read without user interaction by a helpful app and you'll see the appeal ...

Re:Missing the point?

[Anonymous Coward]

More importantly, you can't effectively remember a QR to later draw it for your smartphone to take a picture, but with practice you can remember short URLs quickly passing by.

Re:Missing the point?

[camperdave]

The entire point of a QR-Code is that it can be placed where-ever anything visual can be placed. You can put a QR code on a billboard, on a streetsign, on a television image, in a newspaper, on a bus ad...

The entire problem of a QR-Code is that it must placed where anything else visual could be placed. You can put a QR code on a billboard, on a streetsign, on a television image, in a newspaper, on a bus ad... and there's that much less space for the ad art itself.

These rectennas can be covered by advertisement without impairing their function.

Re:Missing the point?

[Anonymous Coward]

The great thing about text is you can put it anywhere anything visual can be placed! You can but a tinyurl.com/acmeadd on a billboard, on a streetsign, on a television image....

(And its still quicker to type than to get the camera all lined up to QR code something you pass on a bus.)

Ding ding ding!

Here's the thing: We must continue to build for people not smartphones. QR codes are a cute little something for people who are glued to their mobile internet devices, but the problem is that enough people still don't have smartphones (nor can we expect everyone to have a smartphone for a very, very long time). However, most people have brains that can mostly remember short URLs, cell phones with "notes" functions that allow them to take down quick reminders, or even (if you're over 60) a pen and pad on hand.

Re:Missing the point?

[blind biker]

And its still quicker to type than to get the camera all lined up to QR code something you pass on a bus

Actually no, it's not quicker.just typing "tinyurl.com" takes more time than to acquire a QR code.Unless you use a catastrophically inefficient app/UI for the QR.

Re:Missing the point?

[tofubeer]

Which is why you should always put the URL with the QR code. Even better - put an NFC tag behind the QR code as well and all bases are covered.

Re:Missing the point?

[PPH]

These rectennas can be covered by advertisement without impairing their function.

NFC == Near Field Communications.

You're going to look pretty silly climbing up onto that billboard with your cellphone.

Re:Missing the point?

[icebraining]

It depends on the kind of keyboard and your experience. My teenage brother can type that before you even finished reading it, but he types dozens of SMSs per day.

For most people, yeah, QR codes are probably faster.

Re:Missing the point?

[fbobraga]

what a memory! 4,296 characters!

Re:Missing the point?

[Anonymous Coward]

The great thing about both is you can have a QR code and a URL -- place both on your design and let people decide what they want to use. If it's too small for a URL, then you can't have it. If the QR code box is harder to print, you can't use that. Simple.

I fail to understand the QR code griping. If you don't like them, don't use them. No one's forcing you to hold up your phone to a QR code.

QR codes have lots of good uses. There are many situations where you might wait a couple of minutes, and a QR code is easy to scan--I've seen them on conference rooms (to see the schedule); on bus stops (to see the schedule); at offices, etc.

Sure, there are bad uses too, but there are bad websites and I don't hear people complaining "get rid of URLs! some of them lead to bad websites!"

As for the obscurity argument: in a lot of cases, it's not like a tinyURL is any more comprehensible. Also, in most cases if you're going to type text it's faster to Google whatever it is you're interested in and go that way, so the URL is sort of redundant in that way. You're smart, you'll figure out what to Google for.

I'm not against URLs, it's just baffling to me that people act like QR codes will somehow replace URLs completely, or like someone is forcing them to use them. It's like QR codes tap into some deep-seated irrational subconscious fear or psychological complex eating away at some people.

Re:Missing the point?

[StripedCow]

QR codes are a scam by domain registrars to sell domain names with cute-looking QR codes.

Re:Missing the point?

[Electricity Likes Me]

And its still quicker to type than to get the camera all lined up to QR code something you pass on a bus

Actually no, it's not quicker.just typing "tinyurl.com" takes more time than to acquire a QR code.Unless you use a catastrophically inefficient app/UI for the QR.

Also I already use my cellphone camera to record things I want to remember anyway. QR codes are a pretty obvious extension of the concept.

Probably more importantly though, they leverage something which has other benefits to the user - i.e. an NFC antenna *just* does NFC. Whereas there are all sorts of reasons to have a cellphone camera.

Re:Missing the point?

[MrAngryForNoReason]

QR codes are a scam by domain registrars to sell domain names with cute-looking QR codes.

They are more a scam perpetuated by the printing and publishing industries in a desperate attempt to stay relevant in an increasingly online world. "Use QR codes to add value to your print adverts!" they whine as print spends and advertising revenue continue to spiral downwards.

QR codes are so incredibly niche they are pretty much pointless from a marketing point of view. Unless you are marketing specifically to tech savvy people who have smartphones they are completely useless.

Points of failure for a QR code

1. Must know what a QR code is
2. Must have a smartphone
3. Must have a QR reader app
4. Must be close enough to scan code
5. Must be quick enough to leap of the sofa and scan TV (for QR codes in ads)

Points of failure for a URL

1. Must be familiar with browsing the web
2. Must be able to remember a short word or phrase

Re:Missing the point?

[Svartalf]

As several have pointed out...stupid notion this... This is the NFC version of a Que:Cat...

Re:Missing the point?

[Richy_T]

Must be able to remember a short word or phrase consisting of a word which may or may not be some alteration on a standard english word, may or may not be the name of the product or company it refers to (steampowered, anyone?), an arbitrary extension (.com, .net, .tv?) then possibly some other weird characters and punctuation and words that may or may not be case sensitive. Then if you are mobile, you have to enter it on a crappy keyboard which will have a varying level of ease-of-use.

Or alternatively, touch "barcode scanner", point at QR code, wait for beep then touch "Go to website".

Re:Missing the point?

[AdrianKemp]

Your teenage brother can type things faster than he can read (hint: no)? Because if not, he may get the tinyurl.com out quickly, but the rest he still has to transcribe.

Long story short: stop being a dumbass.

Re:Missing the point?

[meerling]

I can't afford a smartphone, or more accurately, I can't afford the mandatory increased phone bill due to the requirement to get a data plan to go with it.

Re:Missing the point?

[Anonymous Coward]

Wow, I see why they call you "MrAngryForNoReason".

Re:Missing the point?

[PKFC]

You can even put it in a corn maze! :P
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2012/07/27/edmonton-video-qr-code-corn-maze.html

Re:Missing the point?

[afidel]

Yes, and like Que:Cat it will have WAY more use for tech hobbyists then it ever does for advertisers. Imagine being able to pass your phone over a box and get an inventory of the contents without ever opening it. I can imagine it being especially useful for someone who is blind or nearly blind, just swipe your phone near a container and it reads you the contents aloud.

Re:Missing the point?

[Zebedeu]

You're going to look pretty silly climbing up onto that billboard with your cellphone.

I don't know if a QR code would be much better.

Recently I was at a music festival where they had some type of QR code hunt going on.
The codes were all behind the fences where drunk people couldn't reach and destroy them, and just that bit of distance made it quite difficult to read the codes, even outside on a cloudy day (the abundant difuse light should be perfect for this).

Granted the codes they were using were a lot denser than needed (they were embedding the clue to the next code in English and German in the code itself -- stupid since you were using the festival's app to read the code anyway, they could've embedded the text in the app itself), which made them harder to read than normal, but the code was also quite big.

I also tried to read a small (unrelated) QR code which was glued to a pole, and the distortion caused by the pole's circumference made the code impossible to read.

So reading a code from a billboard, even in perfect conditions... It'd have to be pretty fucking huge!

Re:Missing the point?

[maxwell demon]

... but you can bookmark the URL, or remember what you see in your browser, or Google it later.

So you quickly decode the QR code in your head in order to get at the URL, which you then write down to later put it in your bookmarks when you've got access to your browser again?

Re:Missing the point?

[maxwell demon]

on bus stops (to see the schedule)

I prefer if they print the schedule on the bus stop.

Re:Missing the point?

[jbengt]

How does my self-printed airline ticket/boarding pass match up to your "Points of failure for a QR code"

Must know what a QR code is.

I had no need to know, just printed from the airlines web page, had no idea it was called a QR code.

Must have a smartphone

Nope

Must have a QR reader app

No, though the airlines and the TSA needed to be able to read the QR code, it was probably not an 'app'.

Must be close enough to scan code

True, I guess, but the TSA agent and the flight attendants were close enough when I handed them the boarding pass.

Must be quick enough to leap of the sofa and scan TV (for QR codes in ads

No, just had to find the 'Print' button in the confirmation page.

Re:Missing the point?

[Hatta]

And its still quicker to type than to get the camera all lined up to QR code something you pass on a bus

Wait, QR recognition software doesn't rotate the image automatically? Isn't that what the three squares at the corner are for?

Re:Missing the point?

[brillow]

It is dumb to put a QR code on a billboard.

What gets me is people don't use URL shorteners, and you end up with QR codes which no one can scan in. I have a new phone with a great camera and I can't scan half the codes I see in print magazines because the dots are too tiny to even resolve in print.

QR codes would be better if the people who put them on things actually used them.

And yeah, they are better than NFC in some cases. Few technologies are wholly superior to the ones they are purported to replace. That's why people still buy typewriters. You know what the easiest way to print on a label or envelope is? With a typewriter.

Re:Missing the point?

[Darinbob]

I fail to understand why the article thinks that QR codes are inconvenient? They're printed with actual ink, not "electronic ink", and thus are clearly more environmentally superior. Barcodes are superior to RFIDs as well for the same reason.

Re:Missing the point?

[srmalloy]

These rectennas can be covered by advertisement without impairing their function.

No, you just impair the company using them. If you're an executive with a large corporation, and you want to put an ad in a magazine that includes a link to an online presentation of your new product line, which type of link are you going to choose -- A QR code in the ad art, which reduces the usable space on the ad somewhat, but can be worked into the design, and for which all the cost is a few cents of the graphics departments time modifying the artwork delivered to the magazine's publisher, or an NFC rectenna, which is going to cost a penny per rectenna, and is going to require that the publisher have a machine that will be capable of gluing those rectennae -- and the rectennae of every other advertiser doing this -- to precisely-positioned spots on a roll of paper moving at high speed through a web press, and pay the additional costs that the publisher will charge (setup, tear-down, and a per-unit cost) for them to use the machine (look at how, for example, publisher charge for 'spot color' or 'full color' space)? Not to mention that the ad with the QR code will be accessible to any reader with a camera-equipped smartphone, but the ad with the NFC rectenna requires that the reader have an NFC-capable smartphone -- which may be a good bet in Japan or Korea or China, but is a great deal less so in the US.

Oh, and while you're going on about how the space for the QR code takes away from the space available for the advertisement, you might want to take a closer look at your examples. I expect it's going to be a long, long time before anyone comes up with a way to put an NFC rectenna in a TV image... but it's easy enough to image a QR code right off the screen.

Re:Missing the point?

[squiggleslash]

No, I think the idea is that you quickly scan it when you see it.

True, sucks if you don't have a cellphone with you, but I've yet to see anything that completely relies upon QR Codes - there's usually a URL or telephone number or at least description in there somewhere. QR Codes are a convenience feature - giving you the option of not having to "remember" anything beyond what the code was about.

This "alternative" doesn't seem to do anything of the things a QR Code does, which makes it pointless, IMO.

Re:Missing the point?

[Dayze!Confused]

... cell phones with "notes" functions that allow them to take down quick reminders...

I actually have found this to be the thing that is lacking on my Android phone. Of all the default applications that are available, not a single notepad. I've tried many different ones from the market, but they all have their quirks and I can't seem to find something that is just easy to drop in a line of text, automatically save, and later allow me to easily transfer it to my computer.

Re:Missing the point?

[srmalloy]

And thinking about people climbing up the billboard stand and then trying to figure out where the rectenna is on the billboard so they can wave their smartphone over it makes for an entertaining mental image. The whole point of NFC is that it is near -- you have to get your device close to the other device or rectenna for it to work, while you can point your smartphone's camera up at a billboard and capture the QR code on it from tens of feet away. This technology isn't going to be useful anyplace where your audience isn't going to be able to wave their smartphones across the rectenna.

Re:Missing the point?

[AdrianKemp]

If only that applied to the first comment.

Being a dumbass is being a dumbass... Pretending you didn't mean it later just makes it look even worse.

Re:Missing the point?

[sootman]

The problem with QR codes is you don't know what you're gonna get until you scan it. It could potentially be bad. (Not even viruses or buffer overflows -- could just be something that translates to goatse.cx.) Also, you don't know what the payoff is -- you scan, look, and go "Oh, it's just nike.com"

The problem with text is typing it in is a pain. The good thing about text is you can tell right away if it's something you want or not.

SO WHY DON'T WE JUST COME UP WITH A STANDARD SIZE AND SHAPE GLYPH WITH TEXT INSIDE AND USE O.C.R.?!?!?

It'd be as simple as taking that square-with-three-smaller-squares QR shape and filling it with OCR-A.

Re:Missing the point?

[R3d M3rcury]

From the GP:

QR codes are so incredibly niche they are pretty much pointless from a marketing point of view.

Really. Gotta read the fine print.

Re:Missing the point?

[siddesu]

When my phone is in my pocket, my camera is effectively covered.

Re:Missing the point?

[GrantRobertson]

The entire point of a QR-Code is that it can be placed where-ever anything visual can be placed.

Which is exactly why they invented the rectenna, because it can be "placed" where you wouldn't be able to see anything visual. QR codes for where the sun does shine and rectennas for where the sun does not shine. It makes perfect sense.

Re:Missing the point?

[thegarbz]

The problem with QR codes is you don't know what you're gonna get until you scan it. It could potentially be bad. (Not even viruses or buffer overflows -- could just be something that translates to goatse.cx.)

No that's the problem with TinyURLs. The QR code readers I have used provide you the output of the code and give you the option to follow it. That way before my phone does anything I know if it's just some text, a link to a website, a link to a market app, an email address.

What you describe is not a problem with QR codes but a problem in a specific implementation of a QR Code reader.

Re:Missing the point?

[DarwinSurvivor]

There is no requirement to change your plan if you buy the phone outright, which is cheaper in the long run anyway.

Only if your area has a service provider that A) Supports the phone's wireless technology (GSM vs CDMA) and B) Actually gives you a discount for bring-your-own.

Re:Missing the point?

[DarwinSurvivor]

Every QR code application I've ever seen shows a preview of the content before anything is loaded. At worst, you'd see "goatse.cx". QR was designed to hold a LOT more information than you could possible read using OCR at that size.

Re:Missing the point?

[DarwinSurvivor]

Properly written websites DO have easy to remember URL's.

Re:Missing the point?

[Dalar_ca]

The printed schedule won't tell you your bus is late, or any other emergent data.

Re:Missing the point?

[Dalar_ca]

QR codes on TV is dumb. If you don't know what a QR code is, don't use one. They can be great for conferences, giving people additional data in locations that are remote or don't have enough print space for data (I know many state parks that post QR codes at points of interest for more data), giving access to emergent data, tracking which location someone used a QR code (can build a referral code into one so you know which flyer/ad/bus stop/production run was used), on products to link direct to support videos, and so on.

Is it Cheaper? Easier?

[Anonymous Coward]

The great thing about QR code is all you need is a cheap crappy printer and cheap crappy camera to work. This will die sooner or later. Should have just embrace the QR code.

Re:Is it Cheaper? Easier?

[3dr]

No kidding. The summary quoted(?) this nugget: "...to overcome the limitations and inconvenience of QR codes, whose usage has greatly increased in the last few years."

I'd say that the reason usage QR codes has greatly increased in the last few years is because they are not so limited or inconvenient as the article asserts. The QR code may contain several types of information, but in a 2D bit array, you are inherently limited. QR codes are not a high-bandwidth transport, but even if all they contain is a vcard or URL, the URL is the gateway to larger content.

I like QR codes because they are inherently opt-in. Screw the NFC based ad network!

Re:Is it Cheaper? Easier?

[dwye]

I like QR codes because they are inherently opt-in. Screw the NFC based ad network!

Opt-in? Hah, just you wait! When you'll get your eyePhone, one glance at a QR code and - bamf! - ads are streaming directly into your brain.

Shades of Hugh the Borg! We'll all be spending all our brainpower trying to solve impossible QR codes, created by some misprint.

Of course, that QR codes are inherently opt-in is one of their worst features, at least to those buying the adverts.

Re:Is it Cheaper? Easier?

[meerling]

Futurama reference: http://youtu.be/EaHUpWuqNHY

Re:Is it Cheaper? Easier?

[srmalloy]

I'd say that the reason usage QR codes has greatly increased in the last few years is because they are not so limited or inconvenient as the article asserts.

Not to mention the fact that it's a lot easier to download a QR scanner app to your smartphone and process the QR captured with its the smartphone's camera code than it will be for people to download an app to process the NFC signals... on smartphones lacking NFC functionality.

Re:Is it Cheaper? Easier?

[brillow]

So is NFC. The range on NFC is miniscule. I have to practically mash my phone into something to get the NFC to work. In fact, its designed that way beleive it or not. It wouldn't work well if you had 10 things at a time being detected by your phone. It's not a "push" system.

Re:Is it Cheaper? Easier?

[Darinbob]

This could indeed be the drawback of QRs; the marketting overlords do not want people to be able to opt-out.

Environmentally friendly?

[vlm]

They are seen as a ... environmentally friendly way to overcome the limitations and inconvenience of QR codes...

I'm mystified how that works. Its not like QR codes are inherently toxic by shape, like prions, nanoparticles, or asbestos fibers.

The only QR code I've ever used for a "real" purpose is holding my phone up to the screen to scan a google authenticator QR code. I'm not sure how that would translate to a NFC solution like this... have to print out on a 3-d printer or something?

Re:Environmentally friendly?

[rilian4]

They are seen as a ... environmentally friendly way to overcome the limitations and inconvenience of QR codes...

I'm mystified how that works. Its not like QR codes are inherently toxic by shape, like prions, nanoparticles, or asbestos fibers.

Using the phrase 'Environmentally Friendly' is how you get liberals to use (or at the very least not blacklist) your product whether it has anything to do with actually being helpful to the environment or not.

Re:Environmentally friendly?

[camperdave]

My phone uses QR codes to exchange contact information between phones.

Re:Environmentally friendly?

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm assuming environmentally friendly vs metal/semiconductor antennas on existing NFC devices, not as compared to QR codes which are clearly very env. friendly.

Re:Environmentally friendly?

[cpu6502]

The tiny antennas are supposedly "environmentally friendly" because they use very few rare earths & broadcast only a few nanowatts of power. Of course the best thing you can do for the environment is not have any antenna gobbling-up any power at all.

Re:Environmentally friendly?

[smooth wombat]

Of course the best thing you can do for the environment is not have any antenna gobbling-up any power at all.

What? Are you crazy! This is technology! We must embrace it because it's new and hip and the next best thing since sliced bread so you can be notified of the newest whiz-bang piece of technology which came out three seconds ago.

If you're not connected every second of every day, with the ability to instantly respond, you're not living life to the fullest. How are businesses supposed to notify you of their latest offerings if you're not connected?

Luddite.

Re:Environmentally friendly?

[MozeeToby]

I find it handy to move links from my PC to my phone, just need an addon that generates the codes and it's taken care of. I have also occasionally used them to share contacts, but that's rarer.

Re:Environmentally friendly?

[Svartalf]

It's a problem looking for a solution (or how can we make a quick buck doing this...).

Kind of like QueCats, really. NFC isn't a good answer for everything- and a QR Code can be printed on a billboard, etc. Stupid notion- and not at all environmentally friendly like they're making it out to be. But then...they were stupid enough to think QueCats would take off.

Re:Environmentally friendly?

[Svartalf]

And I only need to use ink/paint to print a QR-code and can have it on things that I don't need to touch my phone to to have it work.

Fail.

Re:Environmentally friendly?

[rullywowr]

A QR code is inherently environmentally friendly due to its design. Just check out all the white block spaces which did not have ink applied? If the ad didn't feature a QR code then think of all the extra ink they would be wasting. Oh, the humanity!

Re:Environmentally friendly?

[Darinbob]

Well a QR code uses no rare earths and thus is even more environmentally friendly than "few" rare earths.

Best thing for these environments is to send out an army of old people onto the streets to administer dope slaps to the kids who think new gadgets are cool. Maybe give them a lecture or two, talk about the old days. If that doesn't get the point across, the old people need to actually use the gadgets in order to prove how uncool they are.

Re:Environmentally friendly?

[Alex Belits]

NFC isn't a good answer for everything

s/ever/an/

Really, for consumer devices it's the next better idea after printing both sides of your credit card on a T-shirt.

limitations and inconvenience of QR codes

[mwvdlee]

limitations and inconvenience of QR codes

Which are what exactly?
The only limit I can imagine is the amount of data. Since they typically only store a URL, this is hardly an issue.
And how does this "Rectenna" relate to RFID?

Re:limitations and inconvenience of QR codes

[Anonymous Coward]

Speaking simply as a user, I find QR codes to be inconvenient for quick-and-easy access of simple information. Our county places QR codes on restaurants instead of the old "Grade A" or whatever inspection stickers. In order to know how the restaurant scored, I'd have to pull out my phone, open an app, stand in the doorway of the restaurant, scan the code, and then browse the site to find the score. For something as simple as that, it's too much work for me.

I can only think of a couple of times in my every day life where I have bothered to dig through my phone's apps to find the QR scanner and see what it had to tell me. They might be easy to produce from the company's perspective but too much work for me unless I really, really cared about that product.

Re:limitations and inconvenience of QR codes

[Anonymous Coward]

1. Consumer must actively perform a task (waking up phone and pointing the camera at QR code) to attain product advertisement.
2. Space limits; QR code can only go to URL, which may not be accessible depending on network congestion, losing delicious, delicious advertising opportunities.
3. Consumer can actually, heaven forbid, refuse to scan QR code (NOTE: legal team is working on making this degenerate activity unconstitutional, progress is slow).
4. QR codes make it difficult to take control of our advertising devices from consumers, depriving us of our tasty, luscious advertising opportunities... mmmm... advertising... *pause to wipe drool from face*

Oh, I'm sorry. Did you think QR codes were made for YOU? Wow. Such naivete! That's hilarious! Now get back to consuming, drone! You wouldn't want us to report you as a malfunctioning currency transfer conduit, would you?

Re:limitations and inconvenience of QR codes

[Svartalf]

Rectifying Antenna. It allows the device that's providing the RFID info (which isn't environmentally friendly like the idiot article makes it out to be) pull power from the comms link. Basically speaking if you've got a non-battery "toll-tag" transponder, the device has a Rectenna in it either emitting RF on a different frequency or doing RF-backscatter comms- but the antenna powers the chip doing the RFID exchange on the tag.

Re:limitations and inconvenience of QR codes

[meerling]

I have to wonder if your county is violating some regulations as some of that information has to be displayed in a readable format for the populace, and it doesn't matter how much techies or bureaucrats like it, a large percentage of the populace is literally unable to read it as it requires them to have a smartphone and dataplan, something which is definitely expensive and probably qualifies as specialized equipment, not to mention still non-standard equipment.

Re:limitations and inconvenience of QR codes

[Local ID10T]

Gonna call FUD here.

I googled this and found several counties using QR codes as part of the restaurant health ratings, however; none of them use it as a replacement for the existing information. All (of the ones that google could find a link to) use it as an augmentation -it provides a direct link to the detailed inspection report for the location in question... no additional searching required. The basic information (grade, date, location, owner, inspector, etc.) is still stuck on the wall in front of you.

They might be easy to produce from the company's perspective but too much work for me unless I really, really cared about that product.

That is a hell of a line to follow up a comment of food safety with.

Re:limitations and inconvenience of QR codes

[camperdave]

And how does this "Rectenna" relate to RFID?

A rectenna (or rectifying antenna) is a device for converting radio waves into electrical power. RFIDs use rectennas to power themselves. The device in the story *IS* an RFID, except that instead of transmitting an ID number, it is transmitting a URL.

The problem with QR codes is that they are square and ugly and take up a huge chunk of space in an advertisement. Then, to top it off, you have to print instructions beside, or beneath it, because few people know what they're for. With the rectenna, you can embed the device beneath or behind the ad, and place the directions right over the unit.

Re:limitations and inconvenience of QR codes

[rwise2112]

A good application I've discovered was a QR code printed on a flight itinerary which gave up-to-date information regarding flight departure/arrival times.

Re:limitations and inconvenience of QR codes

[Darinbob]

With this new system though you still need to pull out your phone, open an app, and get the phone within one millimeter or less of the "rectenna". It's not more convenient.

limitations and inconvenience of QR codes?

[mortonda]

Whatcha talkin bout Willis?

Re: limitations and inconvenience of QR codes?

[93 Escort Wagon]

Disclaimer: We have used QR codes somewhat at work.

QR codes serve a purpose but do it poorly. Phones aren't particularly good scanning devices, plus you're holding the phone at arm's length; so reading a QR code often takes several seconds. Then, afterward, you've got a URL in your phone - if you want it on your computer, that's another step.

That said, I have a bigger aversion to NFC. It has a different limitation, that being the requirement of proximity - not practical for use on a billboard, as people have brought up. Also, NFC is not particularly relevant to a lot of print uses where QR codes are often used - are you going to embed a tiny antenna on hundreds of thousands of magazine pages?

And, more importantly, NFC's multi-purpose nature means the end user doesn't know what to expect (unlike QR codes, where you know you're getting a URL or email address), plus the protocol may not be secure - so training consumers to mindlessly tap advertisements that are "in the wild" just seems like a really bad idea.

Re: limitations and inconvenience of QR codes?

[AdrianKemp]

You're using a poor scanner then, or a crap phone (that wouldn't have NFC anyways).

My phone takes maybe half a second to scan a QR code, to the point that I don't even have to actually hold it still... I can *nearly* just wave it in front of the code and have it work, I do have to pause for the half second. By far the limiting time factor is finding the icon and launching the scanner, which would not change with NFC.

Re: limitations and inconvenience of QR codes?

[rwise2112]

Yeah, I'm amazed how quickly Google Googles picks them up, and even if skewed gets them nearly instantly.

The only feature I care about...

[metrometro]

I just want to know how much malware I can pack into one. Runs any javascript? Pretty please?

Re:Shows What I Know...

[Anonymous Coward]

And what is NFC standards? National Football Coaches? I have No Fscking Clue

Obligatory

[Guspaz]

http://xkcd.com/927/

Of course, these "rectennas" aren't really a proper replacement for QR codes, since QR codes work at a distance (depending on size).

Rectenna

[polyp2000]

I know im in the company of friends when the first posts on this topic are about the goofy name thus rendering the immature joke i was about to make concerning rectums and where to shove antennas obsolete!

Re:Rectenna

[Gibgezr]

Not from the U.S., but Canada uses them too...they are 1c.

+1 for the Anonymous Coward submission

[cpu6502]

Never thought I'd see that happen.

Suggestion

[Paul Slocum]

rename before marketing

Printing capacitors and diodes is cool...

[Anonymous Coward]

I've built my share of rectennas. None required Cartman's assistance. There is something inherently cool about crystal radios, and the idea that you can print one and store data on it that others can retrieve later will undoubtedly turn out to have applications.

Competing with QR-codes may not be one of them. QR-codes are orders of magnitude cheaper though. Nearly-zero cost if you have to print the entire surface of a can of Sprite anyway. It's hard to see much competition there.

Stick-on NFC tags at a penny a piece might make for a great inventory control system though. The scanner could be angle-independent and easily scan the bottom of devices that are rolling down the conveyor. Assuming the scanners were near equally priced. Tagging a 10k item part inventory in this way and dropping your scan-error rate down an order of magnitude could easily be worth the hundred bucks in tags.

Why not just text recognition?

[PiMuNu]

For most uses, just a printed URL would surely be better? Data compression is higher using QR codes, but transparency is lower - with all the associated security/privacy/openness issues.

Re:Why not just text recognition?

[AdrianKemp]

Good readers show you the URL before you click through.

And TinyURL is just as bad, FYI... If anything QRCodes allow for *more* transparency.

Rectenna == rfid tag

[CKW]

So... reading up on this stuff... it's *very* clear that what they are talking about is an RFID tag.

Yay, put rfid tags everywhere and have everyone tap their phones against them to "receive information". ...and who determines what information is transferred back and forth and what types of exploitable holes are there in their protocol?

WAIT wait wait. What the researcheres in Korea "discovered" is how to PRINT rfid tags with magnetic inks.

Jeezus, this is what you get when you cross marketing droids with non-technical reporters in news organizations.

This whole slashdot article should be deleted. And the BBC should be ashamed, aren't there some PhDs driving cabs that they could hire to cover their technology news stories?

QR Codes have an edge ...

[Tjp($)pjT]

QR codes have an edge because they are a free to use standard. and unlike the RF spectrum of the rectennas use, the optical spectrum allows as many QR codes and sensing devices as you can cram together because the optics are simple. The RF equivalent "optics" are a bit more. I also see a problem climbing the side of a building to get to the rectenna's near field range.

Re:QR Codes have an edge ...

[Jason Levine]

Plus, QR codes are inherently cheaper since they can be printed using normal ink while the rectennas need magnetic ink. Now I might not know the market rate for each kind of ink, but it's fair to guess that normal ink would be far cheaper. Plus, since you are using that ink to print the rest of your flyer, sign, billboard, etc, you won't need to have a second pass with magnetic ink. It's built into generating the rest of your item.

How is this better?

[cyberfunkr]

Places where "nanoparticles", "rectennas", and "electronic ink" just won't work but QR codes are fine:
1) My business card - Scan the code and it can take you to my website or automatically add my information to your contact list. Is Kinko's going to start printing cards with electronic ink?

2) Flyers - I can print out a flyer with a QR code. Hell, gimme some graph paper and a Sharpie and I can build a QR code. I don't think any store-bought inkjet or laser printer will be printing these any time soon.

3) T-shirts - I can advertise my business by either wearing or giving away t-shirts with QR codes silk-screened on them. Will this new rectenna survive even one wash?

4) Billboards - The first word of "NFC" is "Near". How often do you get "near" a billboard? Unless you're tagging it. In which case I am pretty sure you wouldn't care about getting the advertiser's message.

5) Television - I can put a QR code in a television promo (Shazam is doing the same thing, except with audio). I cannot apply electronic ink to your TV so you can easily use your smart device to get more information about my product.

This is purely a "swiping" technology (must be close enough for the radio waves/microwaves reach my phone). I would never have this turned on by default for the same reason I use a hole punch on RFID credit cards; I want control of what I am sending or receiving. So how is this going to help me? I'm either going to manually load up a QR code app, or a rectenna app.

QR

[fa2k]

QR codes are "enticing" to some people. I recently heard a kid say "Mom! It's a QR code! can I borrow the phone?". Their distinctive appearance is often more important than their ability to carry data, and they are mostly used for marketing. The most interesting applications which are not for marketing are when QR-codes are displayed on a screen, and this NFC tech can't replace that. (There are some valid applications for printed codes, like in museums, but usually it's better to print a URL). If the researchers make a catchy name and a logo for the NFC-based tags, and if NFC becomes more popular, it could replace QR codes in marketing. It's pretty cool tech, but it seems to be a solution looking for a problem.

Re:QR

[afidel]

We used QR codes to check in users at an industry conference. The users just presented a printed invitation or placed their phone or tablet under the scanner and it brought up the checkin URL on the receptionists machine which automatically informed the person they were having the meeting with that their guest had arrived. Very clever and MUCH faster than the process used at previous conferences.

qrcode can only go to Urls??

[RobertLTux]

okay then explain http://www.laurencemartin.org/codeblock2.png the data is not an url by any means

Re:qrcode can only go to Urls??

[mwvdlee]

Warning people, NSFW! Some very adult action going on there.

Watermark it!

[bill_mcgonigle]

The number of mobile phones with low-resolution image sensors is going to approach zero over time. There's enough data in a typical smartphone image sensor to pick up subband-coded watermarks in a printed image and very transform-resistant image watermarks have been known science for at least a decade. QR codes, radios, etc. are all unnecessary. Point your phone at the poster and let the image app work out whether there's information embedded in it.

Since this isn't already the norm, there must be a patent that is preventing the progress of the useful sciences here.

Re:Turn NFC off. Problem solved.

[Local ID10T]

Works great... as long as you can turn it off. Now imagine if your phone was not configured to allow such choices by the user.

Re:Shows What I Know...

[meerling]

QR Code is better than what I used to hear people call them when they first came out, 3D Barcodes.
Although, non-techies are often confused by the name QR Code, but immediately guess at 'that funny box type barcode thingie' if you say 3D Barcode.
Oh well, at least I don't have to deal with the snickers for 'rectenna' yet.

Rectennas?

[DickBreath]

Those Rectennas better not have rounded corners, or I smell a lawsuit comming.

Re:Turn NFC off. Problem solved.

[Desler]

Return the phone and get a different one? Wow, what a hard problem.

Re:Shows What I Know...

[plover]

Not much different than referring to them as 2D barcodes, as if a linear barcode doesn't exist in two dimensions.

Re:Turn NFC off. Problem solved.

[Local ID10T]

Unless you Think different!(tm)

NFC sucks

[bobbutts]

Why would I bother enabling this hardware and wasting battery. I used my $10 free from Google Wallet to buy a 6-pack and then disabled NFC. I'll re-enable it when/if Google restocks my account with free money.

Re:NFC sucks

[ThePeices]

Why would I bother enabling this hardware and wasting battery. I used my $10 free from Google Wallet to buy a 6-pack and then disabled NFC. I'll re-enable it when/if Google restocks my account with free money.

Well, 'you' wouldnt bother, so end of story.

On the other hand, the rest of us aren't cynical freeloaders, and will continue to use it where possible.

Dadaist QR code

[ThatsNotPudding]

Take a picture of it and you're instantly taken to the wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cue_cat.

And plaintext shortlinks have an edge on QR...

[metrometro]

It works on every device with a webbrowser, no code needed, with the additional bonus of having the user type in your URL by hand. Thas marketing!

QRs are just links that you can't click without launching a specific 'click a QR link' reader. Less of all this please.

Re:Turn NFC off. Problem solved.

[spikesahead]

He's implying that if apple thought it could make a buck off of it, they'd take the option to turn it off out.

Aren't QR codes over?

[Animats]

I thought the QR code thing in advertising was over. I saw more QR codes two years ago than now.

Re:Aren't QR codes over?

[ThePeices]

QR codes over? First ive heard of it.

Has Netcraft confirmed it yet? Id like to know if it is official.

Rectenna

[ThePeices]

Rectennas? really?

What is the first thought that goes into ones head at first seeing the word 'rectennas'?

Exactly.....this is a poor choice of word that will only cause derision and child-level jokes at every mention of the word.

And on another note, can any Americans here please explain what a 'penny' is? 1c? 5c? 10c? 20c? 50c? a dollar?

Re:Turn NFC off. Problem solved.

[Dalar_ca]

Kinda hard, considering the iPhone doesn't even have NFC on it.