Gizmodo: qr

Takashi Murakami and Louis Vuitton Create First Designer QR Code

Adrian Covert — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:18:11 EDT

Let's face it, QR Code hasn't been very exciting. Just dots and squares. But this QR facelift, combining the designs of Louis Vuitton with Takashi Murakami, just made Kanye make a mess in his shoes.

Jean Snow says the stylized QR code works like the standard, barcode-like graphics, while Dvice adds that its the first time Murakami's work has been interactive. Created by Japanese ad firm SET, the project is mostly just to promote other work the two companies have done together. But the creativity factor can't be denied. It's pretty neat. [Jean Snow via Dvice]

Barcodes Can Now Hold Entire Videos and Games

Mark Wilson — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:30:00 EDT

It seemed like magic back when barcodes could simply identify a grocery store item. And when QR codes hit the scene, pictures pointed us to URLs. Now "barcodes" have reached the next level of complexity.

Mobile Multi-Colour Composite (MMCC) is a 2D barcode technology that can transmit text, video clips, ringtones and games to mobile devices. Better than a QR code (pictured here), the user doesn't need internet access to discover associated media—the data is all in the picture.

Based upon the technology's name, we're assuming that this extra information storage was discovered in the color spectrum (by rainbow-izing the pattern), which is a similar to the way fiber optics have boosted their transmission rates over time. But it calls into question just how accurate these colors will need to be, and whether or not a sun-faded billboard might make for a funky version of Pac-Man...by adding a bow on his head or something. [India Times via textually]

Apple iPhone 3G Hides Secret QR Code

Mark Wilson — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:19:00 EDT

While one Apple zealot was video taping their iPhone 3G under Paris Hiltonesque NightShot (innocently we're sure), they spotted a matrix code on the left side of the phone. We assume it's just serial/IMEI data that's often shoved in a phone's battery compartment (which isn't exactly an option for the iPhone 3G), but we're happy to start an exciting internet rumor that every iPhone has been marked with the sign of Satan and that the Apocalypse is near. Or maybe just that Steve Jobs is somehow secretly filming you naked (but we're pretty sure that one's actually true). [Whirlpool Thanks everyone!]

QR Code Jacket Patches Take Strangers On the Street to Your Blog, Stat!

John Mahoney — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:31:00 EDT

We're sad that after all these years, the only place QR codes are actually useful is still good ol' Japan (where they're everywhere). That said, San Francisco has recently dabbled, and there are readers available for just about every mobile platform (including iPhone)—which you'll have to make sure all of your friends have installed if you're going to wear one of these. The $20 patch points to a proxy server which redirects phone browsers to the URL of your choice when someone takes a photo of your shoulder, back, um, wherever. Which means you can take them to your innocent little blog, or perhaps something a bit more nefarious. You wouldn't do that though, would you? [p8t.ch via Pocket Lint]

Japan's QR Codes Being Tested in SF

Jason Chen — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:30:00 EDT

You know those QR codes that Japan has? The ones that look like fancy bar codes that you take a picture of with your cellphone that brings up some bit of info or trivia on the display. Those are being tested in SF right now on 500+ restaurants/shops/businesses reviewed by Citysearch.

Once you snap a picture of the code, your phone will bring up the Citysearch's review page, letting you know whether you should go in. Also, a tourism company is shoving these onto some tourist locations, bringing up a 15 to 20-second audio snippet of what you're looking at. If they could stick this on things like busses, taxis, waitresses, drug dealers and prostitutes (all common in SF), we'd gladly use this service. [SFGate via New Launches]