They could be good, but I think the user experience isn't quite there. I know on Android you have to download a barcode scanner app, which is easy enough, but until this starts being a standard feature, perhaps part of the camera application, or at the very least a pre-installed application, your average joe just won't get it.

I agree. If I could just press a button and scan, I might find them useful, but at present it feels like more hassle to find, launch and scan with the appropriate app (RedLaser on my iPhone) than just to type in a shortened URL.

I've seen Google Goggles on a lot of Android phones by default. I'm still not sure how I feel about everything important to someone being installed by default on everyone's phone.

Blackberry is the same, you can scan for other BBM users but implementing the camera as a barcode scanner would help with QR code popularity.

I think they are a great tool, they will find their niche and be used sometimes, others not. Too often the media seems to think something new has to be either the next big, giant thing or they are a failure.

QR Codes are already common place in Japan. Every Japanese mobile comes with a QR code reader, and it is common to see them on print advertisements, coupons, and so on.

I was under the impression that they were waning in Japan, with many newer ads simply encouraging people to "Google XYZ" to learn more.

Keyword terms are most common on advertisements in trains, where it wouldn't be polite to use your phone to scan a QR code (and difficult to do to because of the position of the ads). QR Codes are used most often on things you are given personally, such as flyers or coupons.

QR codes deserve mass usage (they can be in different sizes, store different data, etc etc...), but all they get is hype and some public appearances on billboards from time to time.

What types of specific usage?

Gimme some examples, please!

DataMatrix is also nice.

I like QR codes but taking pictures of anything is way to difficult on most phones. Power button, unlock, bar code app, loading, loading, loading, hold up to QR code, focus, focus, focus, detect, detect, detect, success! If there was a super quick way to scan them on phones, I'd be more optimistic about consumer adoption. IMO, the whole mobile phone camera workflow needs to be rethought.

QR codes or something like it will eventually be the way Dwolla and Paypal do mobile-to-mobile transactions. I've thought of a mock up of just using ONLY QR-like codes to transfer money between two people in the same room, it would be fast and easy and assuming you used your Dwolla pin as you confirmed the amount you were spending/charging, it would work perfectly.

It would help if android had a built-in app for that instead of having to go hunt for one you can trust.

Almost all devices in Japan come with i-nigma preloaded apparently, but not USA.

Also, WTF does every QR reader insist permission for access to your personal info, storage write and internet access. Why?

With Google resigning their QR code initiative and the break through developments in near field communication (NFC), mass adoption seems unlikely.

The QR graphics aren't aesthetically pleasing - proximity based devices are more likely to succeed.

You can't print NFC chips on documents at zero extra cost.

I've already seen QR codes at best buy near the price tag of many different things (mostly computer related hardware..like hard drives).

What's considered mass adoption? By consumers? If not, they've been massively adopted by manufacturers from my understanding.

I agree that it has been adopted by manufacturers but I also believe that they also need to educate the users on how they can interact with QR codes. Like another comment stats, until Barcode scanning becomes a standard for all mobiles or other portable devices it will not create a mass following.

Why is matrix code not getting as much consideration ?

My response would be that the bigger corporations are dictating what we use. Blackberry use QR and I see alot more content with QR on it. I like the fact data-matrix can offer much more in terms of less erroring, more security. But i must admit i have not seen anyone using matrix code.

I think UPS uses 2D barcode that is currently known as MaxiCode. I've also seen Datamatrix codes on some electronics.

There are probably many more examples of use in logistics and manufacturing.

'Will Barcodes Gain Mass Adoption?'