You may have seen these funny-looking square boxes around town and wondered what they are.  Some of you have likely used your smart phone to read the code and see what happens.  Most of you have no idea what these are and what they are for – YET!

If you read my wife’s previous post you know we just returned from NYC and saw these all around town.  From the oldest pub in NYC (maybe America) to the front page of the NY Times to the menus of tiny restaurants and stores to a giant billboard in Times Square, QR codes were popping up everywhere.  And it was way fun to read them all and see the ‘hidden’ message.

But, of course, these are not about hidden messages.  A QR code (Quick Response Code) is simply a fast and mobile way to get to you to a designated spot.  They can take you to cool websites, cool videos (like the one above), voice files, or email address.  They also can be used to take you to a phone number, text message, SMS code and more.
For example, you’re walking along a street and see a cool billboard for something that interests you.  How do you remember it later?  Do you take a picture, write down the website (with paper and pen none of us seem to carry anymore), call to leave yourself a voice mail, text yourself or really just hope that you remember later.  With your smart phone (we all have one of those now right?) you read the QR code and go back to it later when you need it.  Simple as that. Continue reading →