Thursday, April 9, 2009

Bar Codes In Newspaper Ads Link To Web Content Via Mobile App



The National Post of Canada has been running ads with barcodes in them that link to additional online content through a mobile application. Readers take a photo of the ad with a cell phone, the app reads the barcode, and VOILA! Your mobile browser opens with the appropriate website that's linked to the barcode in the ad.

Tricky, right? What a cool way to make newspaper advertising relevant to the new generations of smartphone and internet users. Click here for the link to the main article.

Parting shot:
Bulkeley said he has been considering getting a 2D bar code tattoo to have something readily available that can demonstrate the technology. "You could have one code and continually change the link behind it to pull down different content," he said. "It's like redirecting a URL."

OR, how about you put the barcode on the back of your business card? Last time I checked, those were readily available, too. Sure, it would be a LOT cooler when you scan the barcode on your forearm and get directed immediately to the ScanLife website. But seriously, would you be able to help feeling like a box of cereal when they scan you?

Price check on Mr. Bulkeley...



(Courtesy of Mediapost, ScanLife, and National Post)

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