Using an iPhone & iPad in Thailand Tips, App Reviews and News for the iPhone and iPad by Richard Barrow

QR Code in Thai Media

The QR code is basically a two-dimensional barcode that can contain a lot more information than the traditional barcode. The QR (Quick Response) code was first used in Japan in 1994.  In Japan, QR code is used widely in advertising media as most mobile phones can read this code. It hasn't taken off much in Thailand yet though I spotted two advertisements containing a QR code in my Thai newspaper this morning. Basically, what you do is open the QR scanner application in your phone and hover it over the QR code. It works even in low light and is much quicker than the traditional barcode scanners. In advertisements, the QR code usually contains a web site address. As soon as you have scanned the code, your web browser will then open giving you more information about that product.

You can have QR codes anywhere like billboards, posters and even on t-shirts. It is not just for website addresses as you can also have telephone numbers, email addresses and even contact information. If you search iTunes for "QR" you will find quite a few free applications. The one I like the best so far is "i-nigma" as it doesn't have advertising and opens websites in your chosen browser. It is a pretty cool application. If you scan a QR code with a telephone number you get the option to start dialling straight away. If it is an email address then you can open it in your email application. However, the best thing is that if the QR code contains contact information (like name, telephone number, address, email, website etc.) it will give you the option to copy it straight to your contacts. This obviously saves a lot of typing.

You can even make your own QR Codes for free on the Internet (click here). The code on the left is the address for this website and on the right is my name. The more text you want the smaller the dots become so there is a limit. I am not sure how I will use this code as I don't run advertisements in national newspapers. But, the next time I have my business card made up, I think I will include my contact information as a QR code. You never know, there might be a few people in Thailand that can understand this matrix code.