Microsoft readies colorful QR code competitor

[eth3rton]

"While QR codes (http://www.engadget.com/search/?q=qr+codes) and their ilk (http://www.engadget.com/2005/04/22/colorzips-latest-code-tech-colorcode/) have been big in Japan for years, they haven't exactly been quick to catch on 'round these parts, where we've had to be content with old school bar bodes for our product identification needs. Microsoft looks to be trying to change that situation, however, with the company set to roll out its so-called High Capacity Color Barcode (HCCB) later this year with the assistance of the International Standard Audiovisual Number International Agency (ISAN-IA). While their use will apparently initially be limited to DVD media, Microsoft eventually sees the codes being used on TV, in magazines, and on billboards (among other places), from which you'll be able to scan 'em with your cellphone to get additional information about a product. Of course, good looks are the codes' only selling point, with Microsoft also promising that they'll make anything tagged with them harder to counterfeit."

Pic (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/ETH3RTON/msbarcodephoto.jpg)

Original Story over at : Engadget.com (http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/16/microsoft-readies-colorful-qr-code-competitor/)

[D.D.D.]

I was wondering when the US was going to get those. I've seen them in Japan now for a while for cell phone use (like bus schedules, links to web sites, even on placemats at McDs).

[Codicier]

There are a few spelling mistakes in the quote. *shakes head disapprovingly at Engadget*

It does sound like a cool system.

There's also this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code) article on wikipedia.

[shnastybiznastic]

Wow, engadget has really gone downhill. Anyway, closed formats, yada yada, proprietary data structures, yada yada, QR same as MP3, yada yada.

[miah]

harder to counterfeit.. HAH like holograms! This feels very cue-cat to me.