Tag: Geolocation

Tracking via QR codes demoed at Barrett Park

This use of quick response code technology was demonstrated by way of the Munzee scavenger hunt game.

Barrett Park in Leominster, Massachusetts was the location of an interesting demonstration of the use of tracking by way of QR codes, recently, when it hosted a version of the worldwide scavenger hunt game that is known as Munzee.

The quick response codes were attached to trees, service poles, and other locations, allowing participants to play.

The game isn’t quite as obvious as one might think, as the QR codes are quite small, and they could be found virtually anywhere, regardless of whether you are hiking along a trail or strolling down the street. For example, Laurie Maldari, who already enjoys another mobile friendly hobby that is similar to scavenger hunting, called geocaching, was out doing just that when she came across her first Munzee QRcode. “I just stumbled upon one by accident,” she said.

This version of scavenger hunting, using QR codes, is somewhat different from geocaching.

Geocaching has been around for about a decade and a half and it requires a participant to use some form of mobile GPS device to be able to spot “caches” that contain small items that are typically stored in some kind of waterproof container. The participant then “proves” that they made the find by signing his or her name to a notebook that is found within that cache.

The concept of the Munzee QRcode game is comparable in certain ways, except that instead of signing a notepad, the participant uses a free mobile app and a smartphone to pinpoint his or her specific location and prove that the barcode was, indeed, found. As a reward, that person then receives points for each barcode that is scanned.

Maldari has since become quite involved in Munzee (and is now the player with the 20th place in the world) and has demonstrated how to play at Barrett Park in order to encourage more people to join in. The event was free to all who wished to attend.

This game based on QR codes originated in 2011 in Texas. That said, while it was popular there in its home state, it wasn’t until it made its way to California and Germany that it truly took off. Now, enthusiastic players are hoping that they will be able to spread the game to their own corners of the world, to encourage greater participation and to boost their opportunity to earn points – and bragging rights.

Geolocation technology to provide massive feature range at SXSW festival

There will be over 1,000 Apple iBeacons installed throughout the event for a spectrum of alerts, meet-ups, and other info.

This year, the SXSW music festival, which is taking place in Austin, Texas, will use geolocation technology in order to provide its attendees with a wide range of different types of onsite features, so that the people in attendance will always know exactly what is going on, and where they want to be.

The location based tech will offer alerts, information about meet-ups, and additional ways to connect with people.

This will be accomplished through the installation of iBeacons. That geolocation technology was first used by the event, last year, but to a much more limited degree. This year, though, the organizers have significantly boosted their use of location based tech. The Gimbal-created iBeacons use Bluetooth Low Energy to be able to give people attending the festival a whole new way to make connections with other people who are closeby.

The new SXSW Go app will include an “Around Me” feature based on geolocation tech so users can interact.

Geolocation Technology - SXSW Music FestivalThat feature will make it possible for the mobile app users to be able to introduce themselves to other people who are close by, through a quick message. This will help other people who use the same application to be able to find them and meet them if that is what they want to do. This iBeacon based feature has cross-platform support, being compatible with recent Apple iPads and iPhones 4S and newer, as well as the Android based Samsung Galaxy S4 and S5 and the Nexus 5 and 6.

Users of the app will also be able to receive location based alerts and messages about who may have recently arrived at the festival and who can be found nearby. The iBeacons and the Bluetooth Low Energy technology are the same type of tech that Apple uses within its own retail stores so that it can provide customers with the latest updates, product reviews, and even upgrade eligibility for their devices.

To make this geolocation technology work, event attendees will need to download and launch the app, and ensure that their Bluetooth and proper notifications are enabled.