Whose Mobile Code Are You And Where Are Taking Me?

A comment was left on the HookCode offers mobile codes for MySpace post.

"Why cant they all just standardise on QR codes and be done with it?"

At first glance standardizing might make sense. However, the real power of a mobile code, or of Physical World Connection (PWC) is not just connecting a physical object to the Net, but the APPLICATIONS that can come from it.

The dilemma PWC faces is where (what URL) will this mobile code take me and what information will I receive. Whose code is this and what should I expect from it?

I don't believe standardizing the QR code, or any mobile code, should be the only option.

A 1d barcode, because the data is constant, will have many applications built for them (price compare, coupons, ecommerce, consumer reviews etc). The code stays constant, but how it's resolved allows numerous services and applications.

Because there are various types of 2d codes, the information, URL and applications vary too. The mobile code will have be identifiable. Proprietary mobile codes like Nextcode, ShotCodes and BeeTagg will always have great value because they are easily identifiable and you know what information is expected when scanned.

There are a few solutions I see.

1. The mobile code itself is unique, recognizable and user knows what information or function is performed when scanned. The mobile code has to be identifiable with the application or the brand.

2. The mobile code is branded so user knows what application or where on Net they will be taken. HookCode is associated with MySpace users, or MySpace adopts this platform and brands it.

3. The mobile code is placed on closed environment and info received when scanning the code is obvious (train station, magazine ad).

4. A multi-function code scanning application. Click on any code and a physical world connection portal provides a menu of choices. (price compare, coupon, commerce etc).

Design QR brands QR codes which are identifiable to the user.

Design QR provides a solution to one of these options. They embed a company's logo, or identifies the QR code by placing an image inside the code. They "brand" the QR code which will allow users to identify the mobile code.

Design QR allowed me to "brand" my QR code.

Here's what I envision.

Google offers a 2d code creating site and places their color theme or the word Google inside of every 2d code created. Advertisers and consumers can place these mobile codes anwyhere and be connected to appropriate URL when scanned.

Because Google is so well known (brand recognition), and their applications will be adopted on the majority of mobile phones, their mobile code scanning platform will provide many functions for the Google Mobile Code.

In addition, this Google mobile phone scanning platform will also offer the ability to scan 1d barcodes as well. This opens the door for advertisers and the approx three billion 1d codes out there already.

Coca Cola Launches Sprite Yard, A Mobile MySpace

Coca Cola is using Sprite as their brand for innovative mobile marketing campaigns.

Last fall, Coca Cola Mexico placed ShotCodes on 40 million Sprite bottles. Consumers, using their camera phone could scan the circular barcodes, and be connected to the Net. This was the first time ever an on-pack mobile barcode scanning campaign was launched outside of Asia.

From NY Times Coca Cola introduces Sprite Yard , a mobile MySpace

The Coca-Cola Company is hoping its new mobile site for social networking, Sprite Yard, will become the MySpace of the cellphone world.

Sprite Yard, to be introduced in the United States this month, will look a lot like the social networking sites that have become popular on the Internet. Consumers will be able to set up personal profiles, share photos and chat online with friends, all using cellphones rather than computer screens.

The effort launched in China last week and is set to launch in the United States beginning June 22. To access the application, U.S. consumers can text “YARD” to 59666 and receive a reply with a WAP link to access the Sprite Yard for the fist time.

People will type in codes from Sprite bottle caps to redeem original content, like ring tones and short video clips called mobisodes.

Jameson Whiskey Uses ShotCodes For Mobile Campaign

Jameson Whiskey has launched a unique campaign in Spain using branded ShotCodes.



ShotCodes are circular barcodes especially developed for camera mobile phones. Campaign participants can use these ShotCodes as offline hyperlinks by installing the ShotCode software on their mobile phones. They aim their phone’s camera at a Jameson ShotCode, click, and they’re automatically connected to the Jameson Whiskey campaign site where they participate in a prize draw for an all expense paid trip to Hollywood.

The Jameson Whiskey ShotCode is the first branded ShotCode to be released, it contains the Jameson wap-site address: wap.jameson.com as well as ShotCode.com and has the Jameson logo in its center. The campaign is set to run for a year and will be covered on free postal cards and outdoor advertising.

“ShotCode’s success has always been related to its unique shape. Now that we’ve finally launched our branded versions we’re certain that integration of ShotCodes into visual campaigns will be even simpler” says Dennis Hettema, founder & creative director of OP3 , the company behind ShotCode.

Jameson’s Spanish management wholeheartedly agrees as they chose ShotCode from amongst the wide selection of available mobile barcode scanning technologies because of its distinctly recognizable shape, ease of use and unlimited amount of application areas.

ShotCode’s road to success continues as they now sport over 6,000 clients worldwide including companies such as The Coca Cola Company, Nokia, Heineken and Xbox. Together they’ve created over 400,000 ShotCodes that have been placed on over 50 million products.

In a market with a high amount of competition, OP3 consistently launches the biggest campaigns making the company the fore-runner of the mobile barcode scanning market outside of Japan and Korea.

ShotCode is the flagship product of OP3, a Swedish / Dutch organization in the proximity marketing space. Launched in 2003 and with customers such as Heineken, Coca Cola, Xbox and Holland Innovation

Campaign by Publiquest