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Consumers and producers undergo a constant, ritualistic dance when it comes to information. Consumers want more, but are often too lazy to get it. Producers want to provide it, but its tough to do when consumers won’t follow through. Rather than fight the consumer producers are looking for ways to tap into their lazy. And Microsoft has an idea for how they can do just that.
It’s called Tag, and it’s little more than a fancy bar code. Actually, a really, really fancy bar code, because it incorporates both color and design. Using a mobile phone that’s been loaded with Microsoft’s Tag reader, consumers only need focus on the bar code until it’s recognized, and a wealth of information will be headed their way. Microsoft says Tags can be used on advertisements, product packaging, signs, storefronts, or in print publications. They can used to “gain instant access to websites, videos, reviews, schedules, contact information, social networks, discounts, and promotions.” You’d have to be a pretty lazy consumer to pass up an opportunity like this.
Microsoft says its Tag reader will work on most current smartphones or advanced features phones, including Windows Mobile (5.5 and higher), Blackberry, Symbian, J2ME, and iPhone.
Image Credit: Microsoft
Comments are closed on this article
ender42
February 04, 2010 at 7:59am
Ok, doesn't the iPhone already have something like this? And possibly Android, or Blackberry? Plus, how is this any different from those crappy CueCat barcode scanners that were available to the public in the 90's that made it to where you could scan barcodes out of newspapers or off of food products to go to a website with more information. That certainly ended well. Oh wait, no it didn't...
rabbit01
February 04, 2010 at 6:12am
How does this compare to the black & white matrix (2D) barcodes? I've never used them but my understanding is that the 2D bardcodes can contain URL & allow consumer to go online to get more info on the products.
