Your list feels a bit like r/WhereDidTheSodaGo, that is those silly infomercials that make it seem like putting dishes away in the cupboard is some monumental task. I mean "find the scanner apps"? Are there phones nowadays where the code scanner isn't just built into the camera app? I don't think I've used a dedicated scanner app for at least half a decade.

I find QR menus annoying when you're at a place where you specifically want to forget about your phone, like a nice restaurant for dinner, but I don't think they're some huge amount of work.

Don't overestimate the general audience. You can scan QR codes with every modern camera app, but if you don't know you can, you'll have to wait for someone to tell you. It's been months since I last saw a QR code and that was just because of a TOTP setup, I doubt most people use them in their daily lives. Many apps using them like to pretend you need to download their app to scan them as well.

My biggest issue, outside of the usual terrible websites these codes link to, is that I often find myself with a phone already on battery saving mode when I go into a restaurant at the end of the day. Having to do conscious battery management in case I want to order desert is just an unnecessary pain.

> Don't overestimate the general audience.

I mean, yeah, sure, in 2019. But it's 2023, and certain world events forced it so that even my parents can read a QR code with their phone now.

Don’t forget, half these stupid things require you to give personal info to order, plus they can fingerprint your browser. It’s not great for privacy.

Not to mention you cant view the entire menu at a glance and end up navigating back and forth to figure out what you want.

I'd be completely fine with QR code menus if the menu websites weren't horrifically bad 90% of the time. Doesn't take more than 10 seconds to scan the code.

* squint at the menu on the 5-6" screen in your palm

Ironically I've seen people take a snap of the paper menu so that they can zoom in on their handheld screens. Which works much better than zooming in on a mobile website or in an app, so another point for the paper menu.

(not as often as seeing people snap the paper menu so that they can get it through their translation service of choice or share a copy without banging their heads together, apparently paper menus only get better through technology)

My personal favorite:

- Realize restaurant is in a cell dead spot.

- Wander around looking for wifi code.

- Conclude the hand-written I in the password is an l or 1 on your third attempt typing it in.

Add to that:

QR code gets printed at different resolution and or ratio, and or laminated glare, and now not getting scanned.

I don't even bring a smartphone with me when I'm out so that definitely lead to a few funny moments in restaurants lately.

All of that takes 10% of the time it takes for a waiter to arrive at your table and take an order.

It’s also way faster for on iPhones which most restaurant customers have. You just lift your phone, tap the camera icon on the Lock Screen and it scans the code right away.

Then you just double tap the power button and it’s paid and ordered.

> It’s also way faster for on iPhones which most restaurant customers have.

That's a very US centric view of the world.

I’m Australian. iPhones are pretty much universal in developed countries outside of Asia.

Not really: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/iphone-ma...

North Korea is coloured in as '100%' Iphone Usage, It looks like on that map.

That 100% is 'Jong Un's iPhone'.

I'm European. iPhones are definitely not universal here. I'm not even sure they have >40% market share in the EU.

As an android user that hates Apple I thought this was funny.

65% of the market in the US, you know basically everyone! All the plebs with androids just sit home eating our turnips and porridge dreaming that one day our children will be able to afford to check their iphones at T.G.I. McFunsters.