It's easy to be overwhelmed by choice when it comes to selecting the right QR code scanner for your mobile device - no matter what platform you're on; there are quite a few apps out there. How do you know which one is the right one for you?

The good news is that if you're looking for basic functionality, that is, scanning a QR code and being taken to a web site, or provided with a small chunk of information in return, most of the apps you'll see in the app stores will perform equally well. In fact, in many cases you'll be able to meet these basic requirements with a free app.

QR code scanning capabilities are already being incorporated into mobile operating systems - the BlackBerry, for example, can handle them through its browser by default. However, many users still prefer the simplicity of standalone single-purpose scanning apps. Here are a few examples:

 

QR Droid (Android)

 

  • Scans QR codes from a camera or saved file
  • Can create a QR code from a contact or other data on your phone for sharing instantly
  • Keeps a history of scanned codes
  • Available from Android Market

 

Scan (iPhone)

 

  • Does one thing and does it quickly and simply
  • One-click operation - just launch and point
  • Keeps a history of scanned codes
  • Free and ad-free, available from the iTunes store

 

QR code Scanner Pro (BlackBerry)

 

  • Scans QR codes but not UPC
  • Can launch browser, dial phone, send SMS or email, and import contact from scanned code
  • Available from BlackBerry App World

 

ScanShot by Pitney Bowes (iPhone and Android)

 

  • Quickly links you to all types of digital content
  • Launches your mobile browser
  • Access videos
  • Display mobile coupons
  • Available from the iTunes store and Android Market

 

Recommending QR code apps to customers

 

When including QR codes in your marketing materials, you may wish to include instructions for downloading a QR code scanner for those customers who don't already have one.

Your ideal recommendation is one that is reliable, and which can be downloaded quickly without too much instruction. And because you won't know what type of smartphone your customer is using, you'll want to direct them to a cross-platform application developer - a single site from which they can download an app for whatever brand of mobile device they have. A couple of suggestions are listed below to get you started;

ScanLife (getscanlife.com) is a free scanning app for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows Phone and Nokia Ovi operating systems. ScanLife recognizes a number of code formats including Universal Product Code (UPC).

Google Goggles, the image search feature built into the Google Search app, can also recognize and read QR codes. Google Search is available for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Nokia and other mobile operating systems.



What Next?

The importance of a mobile page

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