What is QR code?

QR (Quick Response) is a specific two-dimensional matrix barcode. The barcode contains information about the item to which it is attached and can be readable by smart phones, tablets, computers, scanners, and readers. Although first designed for the automotive industry in Japan, QR codes have been used in a much broader area targeting cell phone users. QR codes may be used to open a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), to compose an e-mail or text message, or to display text to users. The technology has since become one of the most-used types of two-dimensional barcode.

QR codes can be recognized in Google’s Android phones, BlackBerry, Apple iOS devices (iPhone/iTouch/iPad), Microsoft Windows phones, and many 3rd party barcode scanners. These devices support URL redirection, which allows QR codes to send metadata to existing applications on the devices. A QR code reader is not natively included in Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android, but many paid and free apps are available with both the ability to scan the codes and hard-link to an external URL. BlackBerry 10 devices have a native QR reader as well as several third party readers. Windows Phone 7.5 is able to scan QR codes through the Bing search app’s feature called Bing Vision.

A quick browsing of app store on your cell phone will give you a range of free QR scanner software to download. You will need to install a QR scanner app and use your phones camera to read QR codes.