While Samsung's latest cellphone-related release doesn't pack quite the excitement as what
T-Mobile unveiled yesterday, those obsessed with ultrathin lines packed together in the shape of a rectangle will be thrilled. Said mega-corp has landed an agreement with Scanbuy that will preload the ScanLife mobile 2D
barcode application on an unspecified number of Samsung's cameraphones. The program enables the handsets to easily read and digest EZcodes and other major 2D barcode formats, and while you're probably envisioning some sort of warehouse scenario right now, the possibilities for on-the-go marketing are nearly endless. Expect Scanbuy-equipped Samsung cellies to go on sale in Spain, Italy, and Denmark as early as next month, with availability in other major markets to follow suit shortly.
posted Sep 24th 2008 2:09PM
Hasn't this been used in Japan for at least 5 years now. I have a quickmark app on my windows mobile phone that lets me do this. Lots of boxes of things I've imported have barcodes it can read which will take it to a mobile website with product info or something like that.
Yeah, I have QuickMark on my Mogul. Mainly it's just for fun but I've always liked printing them on things just to see if anyone knows what they are/how to read them.
It should be noted that:
Scanbuy’s indirect resolution process, which they use for their proprietary EZcode, is infringing on NeoMedia Technologies’ core patents.
Indirect encoding (patented by NeoMedia) is the process of linking the target information to an index (364528 for example) and putting that unique identifier into a 1D UPC/EAN or 2D barcode. The code reader on the mobile phone reads the barcode and sends the code data over the Internet to a central resolution server that will tell the mobile phone what action is associated with the index, i.e. access a URL, download media, initiate a phone call, ect.
NeoMedia Technologies has a suite of twelve issued patents covering the core concepts behind linking the physical world to the electronic world dating back to 1995. These patents cover various linkage methods including: Barcodes, RFID, Mag Stripe, Voice, and Other machine readable and keyed entry identifiers.
http://neom.com/13.html
NeoMedia brought suit against Scanbuy for patent infringement. Litigation has been ongoing.
Sounds like another creativity-stomping, control-a, blanket submarined patent to me. The kind that the judiciary branch is increasingly (and finally) starting to look upon as completely counter to the patent office's mission.
In sort, I certainly don't care.
Aren't QR codes the more commonly used anyway? (At least in Japan) The Scanlife software can read QR codes as well.
I downloaded this program a couple months back for my Centro. The concept is a pretty sweet idea its just that I haven't found any barcodes during the course of my daily activity since I scanned the first code provided by the site to make sure it worked...maybe I just need to ride the EL more often.
Does this mean that I can finally inventory my German Scheisse porn collection?
Zing!
my Nokia N95 came with a barcode reader too
Pwned iPhones can do this too, as well as shotcode, QR, and other lesser knowns. I don't know why it's not in the App Store. Probably got the boot for duplicating the iPhone's "that's awesome" feature too much. :-(
I'm switching back to Nokia. Cheaper, faster, intuitive, OPEN. I wish I could afford a Tube.
Via which app?
There have been various readers, but the CTIA has finally agreed on a standard, to recommend to the US carriers, so all codes can be read by one reader.
They have chosen to use Scanbuy;s EZcode for the indirect method. These codes should start showing up in the real world shortly. In a year from now the US carriers will try the direct method using datamatrix codes.
So the Scanbuy reader for the next year will be the only reader that can read the codes out in the real world.
Which is why preloading is a big deal.
Hasn't Microsoft been working on something like this, by taking a picture of a barcode? I think while including color as well?
reminds me of the days of the Cuecat...I actually think i might still have it around, used all of....once.
man radioshack lost out bigtime on that one.
Cuecat MK. II
My Nokia E71 scans these codes? I thought all phones now did? Or I'm I wrong?
Pre-loading is a huge deal for driving the market and puts further pressure on NeoMedia to step up to the plate. The CTIA is driving this thing forward and a whole lot of cross-licensing needs to happen.
More CTIA and other (recent) background to this here:
http://www.lairdgarner.com/
http://www.lairdgarner.com/blog/2008/9/19/2d-barcode-scanning-compendium.html
Scanbuy was "suggested" as the "direct" code by CTIA, not the "chosen" and "indirect" as Elin stated. . Big difference. Let's post the facts folks.