I’ve scanned QR codes just a handful of times in the last decade, and I can’t remember any of them being useful.

We were using them to "check in" during covid. They were mmmm... moderately useful I guess but of course the whole idea got mired in controversy

And then all that "definitely going to be used for contact tracing only" data got shared around with the police.

They are decent as app shortcuts it seems. In the last two weeks I’ve done it twice as a replacement for typing in the name in the App Store of some targeted one-off app that is for a particular piece of hardware. In the first case it was some LED lights for my nephew. In the second case it was some light up hardware for a KPop concert I went to with my wife.

I absolutely hate it when there is a QR code with text like "Scan here for more Information" or similar - and then there is no link written or no information on how to get there without having to scan the code.

The best use I saw was on some small electronics thing I was looking at in a shop. One brand had QR codes on their boxes, which led to a full specification and the user manual -- more than could possibly have fitted on the box, especially as a European box can have 10+ languages.

Another is joining a Wifi network. I saw this at a couple of small hotels recently -- as well as giving the network name and password, there was a QR code. Scanning it prompted me something like "Do you want to join NiceViewHotel Wifi network? Yes/No" and was much quicker than typing in the key.

If my phone has something like this I would have turned it off when first going over a new phones settings. It's one of the first things I do. Go through every single menu I can find and turn off stuff I don't want. Something constantly using my camera to scan for QR codes is definitely something I will turn off. Just like say "Face ID".

Who thinks those are good ideas?

For the record I have scanned exactly 0 QR codes in my life.

Here we see the HNers in their natural habitat. Please do not take photos as they are frightened by technology.

seen how the sausage is made, etc.

You are aware that this is happening locally on your phone, right?

I have no idea whatsoever what caused you to dislike QR codes, but I kinda want to hear the story. Face Id, I can kinda see as a pin might be more secure.

Technology and software are awesome! After all, I build this stuff myself.

I also see how these things are built. I see how the sausage is made. Sometimes, when you see how the sausage was made, it can sour you. Even if you maybe didn't see how that specific sausage was made. Also, always beware of what the sausage might get used for other than the "intended purpose".

I never understood the premise for QR codes. You're trying to send me to some URL, create an SMS w/ some pre-defined text, automatically follow someone on Twitter or whatever and a bunch of other things. Until I scan the code I have no idea what it will actually do. I don't generally trust something like that not to be used for nefarious purposes. We teach people to be careful what links they click on and such. Here we teach them the opposite. If someone sticks a QR code in front of your face, just scan it! Now you can say that no restaurant ever would send you to a URL that then exploits a flaw in your browser and that there are way easier ways to compromise a system. Fair enough. Doesn't mean I have to start using QR codes for things that worked perfectly well in a non-QR code world.

Now the GP also said that restaurant people tell you to "just point your camera to it". This would indicate that there's an always on camera scanning my surroundings constantly to figure out if there's a QR code there. Frankly if that was actually the case, that would be super creepy. That is why I would disable such a function right away. Even if it's "just happening locally". Sounds a bit like that whole "they only scan your device for inappropriate pictures locally, nothing to worry about". Now combine that w/ all the new rage in "e-health" where you don't have to go stand in line for hours to see a doctor: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32560361 ("Google refuses to reinstate account after man took medical images of son’s groin").

This is exactly the kind of thing I am worried about w/ any of these "advances" in technology. "The road to hell is paved with good intentions".

Anecdote: Just this week I ended up at a restaurant in San Jose that was QR code menu/ordering only. I don't know what format QR code they were using, but my iPhone would not read it at all. I've scanned many many codes with it in the past, but that particular one was just not having it. Luckily I was with a friend whose phone cooperated and I just paid them back. In cash.

You know, if you mention the restaurant name maybe an Apple engineer can expense a lunch to file some bugs on your behalf ^_^

http://www.demi-ya.com/ :)

My favorite! Admittedly I order ahead because the wait is long otherwise

>But honestly, in 2022 it's kind of up to you to know how to scan a QR code, the same way you're expected to know how to type a domain name into a web browser.

Why? I've literally never been in a situation where I've had to scan a QR code. I do mean never.

What benefit does a system like this provide when it's always clunkier than just having a physical object?

On an unrelated note, isn't this why all the scan-this-QR-code ads fall flat? Because it takes a lot of extra effort to actually "check out more info"?

One recent example: paying bills in Switzerland [1]. Although those have to be scanned by a banking app.

[1] https://www.six-group.com/en/newsroom/media-releases/2020/20...

It is not required to pay bills by scanning the QR code. It is perfectly possible to enter the IBAN and reference number manually as long as your banking provider lets you do so.

What is required is that you, when creating an invoice, provide the QR code for doing so.

I’m not sure were I said that it was required? I was responding to the comment. I see a huge benefit from scanning the QR code as it saves me trouble having to manually enter all the info. Older barcode style bills also worked but somehow scanning was always wonky.

Unlike a physical menu, items that aren't available can just be dynamically removed.

But is this actually done in practice?

With a physical menu they just cross it out or tell you

It is supreme when sharing links in a presentation, it is supreme on business cards (since you can quickly get all the details and add them to your contacts), and it is the best thing for wireless access (just point your phone, and you are in).

Menus in restaurants are an exception. Those are better as physical objects.

But why would I want wireless access to a network that you can join by just pointing something at it? That specifically sounds like a wireless network to avoid.

And how is a QR code the best for sharing links in a presentation? Why would people want to look at what you linked during your presentation? And if it's afterwards they would need access to your presentation anyway, no? At that point a regular URL would do too.

Why would it be a wireless network to avoid? I mean, the QR code has the SSID and Password in it. For guest networks, the information is usually put up inside the areas guests go to anyway.

The way it worked at my previous employer, you had the guest network SSID and password on the wall and then the QR code, so you didn't have to type them in. There was no difference in security, just convenience.

As for during the presentation: surprisingly often, if you are doing workshops.

It took me a year to figure out how to scan a qr code natively in android without downloading a sketchy app

I have a OnePlus8 and it does not do QR code scanning. I had to install Google Lens. It's not about version of Android. The cameras are all proprietary and so are the camera apps.

As such I hate QR code menus. I'm with the boomers on this one. QR code menus are no better than touch screen menus to open the glove box.