Tag: QRcode

Shomi has created a font-based substitute to the quick response code.

Shomi, an Australian startup, has developed Shomi codes, which are similar to QR codes in that they link to digital content, but what makes the Shomi variety different is that it is based on font, which makes them smaller and does not limit them to back and white, giving them greater flexibility.

The new codes are quick and easy to implement.

According to Tony Williams, the founder of the newly established Australian business, Shomi codes have been purposely designed to be placed in confined spaces in publishing, such as a line of text. Williams says that “because it’s a font, it’s a lot quicker and easier to implement than a QR code.’’ This gives it the advantage.

He also added that “QR codes were designed as a high density alternative to a barcode for tracking automotive parts. They are completely over engineered for use as mobile linking technology.”

Shomi is not the first QRcode competitor. Microsoft created Microsoft tag, but the company has decided that it will be eliminating this service next year. Williams believes the reason that Microsoft tag did not work was it did not overcome the quick response code’s format, which Williams says is one of the chief problems of the code because all of the additional data is not needed for a mobile link.

Shomi codes may be more effective than QR codes for providing useful data to companies about consumers.

Shomi intends to generate revenue by storing the data it collects from users of its code, analyzing this data and providing it to publishers who use the Shomi code. According to Williams, the free version of their platform with basic analytics is currently available.

He said that Shomi can “control the experience” and they capture all of the data which is a huge advantage to companies. A company can use the code to direct their reader and learn what they can about the consumer.

Williams stated that Shomi will make money with detailed analytics packages and they will charge on a tiered scale that will be based on scan usage. At present, the startup is seeking seed funding and is on the watch for businesses that may be interested in being among the first to adopt their code.

Only time will tell if Shomi code will be a true competitor of QR codes for mobile.

An innovative new solution has been developed to add security to parked bicycles.

A new security system based on QR codes for bikes being parked on campus has been developed by a team of three students who call themselves the Beta Adroits.

The group had frequently heard of problems with bikes that were being stolen and sought new on-campus security.

What they accomplished was a system of QR codes that can help to provide added security to bicycles that are being parked on campus. One of the Beta Adroits members, Arun Balaji, explained that “There were a number of cases in our college where our college mates had their bikes stolen.” He added that “It was during the same period we were also extensively exposed to the brand new smartphone technology and found out how it could be used to scan QR codes.”

The group then realized that there was a very practical use for QR codes in solving the problem of stolen bikes.

Balaji said that the quick response codes could be affixed to the bicycles so that they can be scanned with smartphones or even with webcams.

The entire Beta Adroits group is made up of Sona College of Technology students who are seeking Computer Applications degrees. These students from Salem, Tamil Nadu are already 75 percent of the way through completing their source code and are nearly ready for implementing this new QRcode security system on their college campus.

The students and professors, alike, have been very receptive to the idea and are looking forward to seeing the system when it is put into place. The goal is to test it on their own campus and then introduce it to other schools throughout Chennai when it is found to work.

The group feels that if their system is, indeed, successful, then these QR codes could be used as an effective bicycle theft deterrent on college campuses. However, they also feel that there are a number of other useful applications, as well. They are hoping that this would make it easier to screen vehicles in offices, housing complexes, and large parking lots