You could have seen these recently in several places, you might already know people talking about them within the realm of mobile and wondered just what the heck they are. Quick response codes (described as “QR” codes) are a very convenient way to display a small bit of information that’s conveniently scanned and processed typically by phones allowing physical items to almost become interactive, by providing information which is conveniently scanned like a site URL.

To make a simpler analogy, most people have an understanding of Universal Product codes (called UPC codes). Everything you buy at the grocery store (and almost any store these days) has one of those that the cashier will scan. The computer then immediately knows exactly what the product is based on the code which it picked up.

Does anyone remember the days of grocery shopping as well as the cashier had to punch within the prices and codes for every single item you purchased. They had to memorize many of these within their head and whenever they forgot? They had to pick up the loud phone, make an announcement within the store asking for somebody in that department to help them to out.

Think of QR codes as UPC codes but alternatively they are utilized in a much broader spectrum, not just to ‘identify’ products but to convey ‘information’ of some kind.

The most basic (and popular use) of Quick Response codes is to display website information (a site address). Lets say you are at a trade show and you’re walking by my booth. You want to find out additional information about my company, so you get into your smart phone and start fumbling away trying to type in certain long URL (that is on my display) into your browser, and off you go.

The additional option would be for me to display a generate qr codes code (on my display), you take your smartphone and scan it just like cashiers scan items at the grocery store, as well as your smartphone automatically starts loading my website, how is the fact that for convenience?

What about billboards outside on the street, or bus shelters while waiting for public transport. You may place these little codes anywhere. Those with free scanners on their phones (iPhones, BlackBerrys, Androids, Nokia, etc.) can quickly scan the code and find out more details, like opening up a website.

Whole Foods Market (popular in the US/Canada) uses these within their stores. I was recently sitting down to have a bite to eat at the one in Yorkville Toronto, and also on the table where I was sitting was a table tent with two Quick Response codes. It was obvious where they would take me if I scanned them, one would take me to their Twitter account, and also the other would take me to their Facebook page.

If I was serious about checking out their Twitter or Facebook page, rather than opening up each respective app and going to the search function and typing within their name etc. (I likely would not, too much effort) I could pick up my smartphone, scan the QR code and automatically open each page!