Tag: qr code

QR codes used with NFC technology to boost mall experience

| March 13, 2013

QR Codes MallThe largest American in-mall digital network has now added both the barcodes and the contactless tech.

Adspace Digital Mall Network has just announced that it is installing both QR codes and NFC technology into 140 malls across the United States, within their network, in order to improve the shopping experience.

This new initiative will use the mTAG platform from Blue Bite on the mall Smart Screen.

The new feature will allow clients to view advertising with QR codes that they can scan with their smartphones, or they can tap the screen to activate the NFC technology. The mTAG placard that is located on the side of the Smart Screen units provide a considerably higher level of interactivity for shoppers.

The QR codes and NFC tags will become available to advertisers in the malls as of April 15, 2013.

As of yet, it is has not been announced whether there are plans to expand this QR codes program to the rest of the 206 total malls in the network if it proves to be successful. It is also not yet known whether the company intends to use data collected from the scans, such as the number of successful scans and which campaigns prove to be the most successful in terms of the activity that they generate. It has also not yet been announced whether the use of the barcodes will be compared with that of the NFC technology.

The QR codes and NFC tags are designed to facilitate a number of different types of interactions between brands and consumers. The mTAG experience is meant to be a rich one that offers content such as app, ebook, mp3 and movie trailer downloads, as well as web based games and applications, social media integration, coupons and other promotions, maps, and more.

With the scan of the QR codes or the use of the other mobile features on the Smart Screens, this information can be downloaded or viewed directly on the user’s own device. The barcodes were included because while NFC technology is considered to be the ideal choice for this interactive mall feature, there are still only a small percentage of device owners whose smartphones are enabled with those chips.

QR code plush toys add a whole new level to a snuggly

| March 2, 2013

Stuffed animals with barcodes can bring an entirely different experience to children.

A new line of plush toys has just been released with a QR code printed on their tummies, and are about to hit the market shelves in the hopes of attracting consumers with smartphones.

These stuffed animals are designed for both boys and girls and are meant for ages 5 and older.

They have been called “Scanimalz” and are created to combine three different things that children love, in order to attempt to provide the ideal toy. These three features are: snuggly toys, playing games on devices such as smartphones, and collecting. The manufacturers feel that this is a truly winning combination. It aligns with the current trends of bringing mobile devices and toys together, as is the case in the increasing number of augmented reality toy experiences.

Using the QR code toys is very easy through a free app that can be downloaded onto a mobile device.

The Scanimalz app can be downloaded into a smartphone or tablet, where an account can be created to register the toys. The QR code on the belly of each toy that has been collected can then be scanned to add to the digital collection and make it quick and easy to play games. There are a number of different games that can be played, to help to keep the experience new and interesting.

The games through the Scanimalz app allows the user to collect points as well as to win prizes. A player’s odds for winning increase with each additional animal QR code that is added to the collection. Parents should likely be cautioned that there are more than thirty different animal toys, so there may be some challenges ahead in terms of a child’s desire to continue collecting.

After the account has been created, it takes only a QR code scan in order to automatically launch the games. An added feature allows the user to post scores online and compete for top ranking with the points that have been collected. Animal options include pandas, dogs, pigs, bears, penguins and many others. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices.