Sep
2
Standalone QR Code Reader Released (iOS4)
Lots of ShopSavvy users have asked us to release a standalone QR Code Reader so I asked one of our barcode scanner SDK licensees to build a simple QR Code Reader using our SDK. It took him about an hour to put it all together (it took Apple three weeks to approve it). All it does is read QR Codes (it does have a banner ad at the bottom providing a link to ShopSavvy). ShopSavvy users should remember that ShopSavvy reads QR codes as well as 1D UPC/EAN codes found on products. You don’t really need two scanners. Anyway, feel free to download (it is free) from iTunes.
We have talked about our QR Code program before, but I thought it was worth a mention. The adoption of two-dimensional barcodes in marketing and advertising has been hampered by proprietary standards. Too many companies have spent too much time attempting to monetize a very simple, but powerful feature. Ironically, there has always been an alternative, open standard called a Quick Response or QR Code. Anyone can generate a two-dimensional QR Code pointing to any website for free. Additionally, millions of mobile phone users already have QR Code capable readers like ShopSavvy®.
The biggest problem with QR Codes is that American consumers don’t know what a 2D barcode is. They need some help understanding how to react to a QR Code printed on a billboard or in a magazine advertisement. Our ‘Scan with ShopSavvy’ program was designed to solve this problem. Millions of ShopSavvy users already use the application to scan 1D barcodes, but many of them have no idea that ShopSavvy will scan open standard 2D barcodes (i.e. QR Code), but they do understand the concept of scanning.
Our ‘Scan with ShopSavvy’ program allows brands to leverage our ‘trained’ user base by including our ‘Scan with ShopSavvy’ badge anywhere they print a 2D barcode. Consumers can use ANY QR-capable scanner (50+ today), but the program attempts to short circuit the call to action by showing the user he can use an application he already has on his smartphone.
The program is free for almost all brands. Our goal is to promote QR Codes, ShopSavvy and build great relationships with brands. Interested? Brands simply need to emailsales@biggu.com and explain the planned usage of our badge prior to use. Permission will be granted to almost all brands. Camera-ready art of the badge is available for download:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/109866/scanwithshopsavvy.zip
Basic tracking is included for FREE as part of the QR code generator and includes:
- Total click tracking
- Click tracking (today, past week, past month, total)
- Referrer tracking (today, past week, past month, total)
- Location tracking (today, past week, past month, total)
- Conversation tracking (number of tweets, shares, comments)
Enhanced programs area available including geo-targeted content. Use the consumers location as a trigger for alternative content. Show a user in a specific store or city a different experience. Please contact our sales department for more information.
The team here at Big in Japan has been busy working with retailers (and other groups) on various programs, but the most surprising activity is around QR Codes. Just pick up a 
Lots of retailers like Best Buy plan to include QR Codes in their stores to help consumers learn more about the products they are selling. Look for the strange little two dimensional barcodes near product displays. You can scan these codes with ShopSavvy and you will receive the information that the retailer is interested in providing to you. Of course, you can still scan the one dimensional barcodes (i.e. the UPC or EAN code) on products and get the standard price comparison you have come to expect from ShopSavvy.
Did you know that ShopSavvy (for both iPhone and Android) scans all of those strange 2D barcodes (QR Codes)? It sure does. Very few users even know ShopSavvy can decode those strange boxy codes, but it is true nonetheless. We bought a company called Snappr who pioneered the 2D scanning space earlier this year and have slowly been rolling out 2D scanning support. With this technology ShopSavvy can scan:
How will this impact ShopSavvy? ShopSavvy is running an older version of our new SDK now so it is a fairly good example of the SDK in action (note the latest version has a few improvements). When 4.0 is released later this year we will be updating our primary app – ShopSavvy with all of the 4.0 goodness meaning anyone who can’t update to 4.0 (i.e. you 2G iPhone users) will be left out in the cold. We have a solution – ‘ShopSavvy Classic’ – will be released for anyone unable or unwilling to update to 4.0. The classic version of ShopSavvy will sport our old icon/logo and our ‘classic’ UI. We decided to completely overhaul our UI for 4.0 and we know it will irk longtime ShopSavvy users – good news, you can download ShopSavvy Classic and enjoy the old look and feel.
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