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barcode posts

Tikitag renamed Touchatag, adds QR codes to repertoire

by Ross Miller, posted Feb 16th 2009 at 7:07AM

We haven't heard much from Tikitag since they showed up on the scene last September, sticking RFID tags to everything in sight. The Alcatel-Lucent Venture-backed company's popped up on the radar again, only this time it's taken on a more tactile-focused name, Touchatag, and is now touting 2D barcode support, including do-it-yourself tag creation system for adding some QR ciphers to your business cards or anything else you wish to lay claim. No word on the new pricing -- a Tikitag RFID set was supposed to cost $50 in October -- but if you're interested in testing the service out, there's a sign up to join the developer community on their main site.

Read - Press Release
Read - Touchatag Developer Network

Samsung cameraphones to sport Scanbuy 2D barcode solution

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 24th 2008 at 2:09PM

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.

Groqit barcode scanner has your hippocampus' back

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 18th 2008 at 7:22AM

C'mon, we've all done it. Standing vigilantly in front of the DVD section, our mind races to remember whether or not we already own Land Before Time 11: Invasion of the Tinysauruses, and in a fit of frustration, we make the purchase anyway only to come home and find it sitting peacefully in one of the thirteen movie racks. If that hits home, you should definitely take a peek at Groqit -- a handheld barcode scanner that prefers to be called a "personal inventory management system." Owners simply scan in every book, CD and DVD they own, take it along for any future shopping sprees and use it to tell whether or not they've already purchased a given title. It should be noted, however, that it doesn't play nice with jewel cases, but apparently, the manufacturer thinks the $95 price tag more than compensates. Honestly, is the return process that much of a hassle?

Another failed smart shopping cart concept shown off by EDS

by Nilay Patel, posted Oct 11th 2007 at 5:14AM

At this point we've seen so many variations on the "smart shopping cart" concept bubble up and fail we're pretty jaded, but the latest version, from Electronic Data Systems, seems like it almost maybe has a chance. Unlike previous concepts, the EDS model is built around the humble bar code: swiping items as you place them in your cart lets you keep a running tally of nutritional information, ethical sourcing, and environmental impact, letting you modify your purchasing decisions simply and quickly. Keeping it simple might be the winning strategy here, but we're not going to be convinced until the carts at our local can do more than just veer straight left.

[Via Vegetarian Organic Blog]

RH Hall prepping bar code-scanning Maestrowave

by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 22nd 2007 at 3:53PM

Microwaves with built-in bar code scanners aren't exactly entirely new, but it looks like those in the foodservice industry will soon be getting a new button-less fix to call their own, this one coming from RH Hall. As with similar units, RH Hall's so-called "Maestrowave" lets you simply swipe a package of food in front of it, with then automatically setting the appropriate time and cooking power. Unfortunately, it's still in the prototype stage (which could account its current low-budget sci-fi prop look), although the company says they expect to have it ready by the first quarter of next year.

Microsoft readies colorful QR code competitor

by Donald Melanson, posted Apr 16th 2007 at 10:17PM

While QR codes and their ilk have been big in Japan for years, they haven't exactly been quick to catch on 'round these parts, where we've had to be content with old school bar bodes for our product identification needs. Microsoft looks to be trying to change that situation, however, with the company set to roll out its so-called High Capacity Color Barcode (HCCB) later this year with the assistance of the International Standard Audiovisual Number International Agency (ISAN-IA). While their use will apparently initially be limited to DVD media, Microsoft eventually sees the codes being used on TV, in magazines, and on billboards (among other places), from which you'll be able to scan 'em with your cellphone to get additional information about a product. Of course, good looks are the codes' only selling point, with Microsoft also promising that they'll make anything tagged with them harder to counterfeit.

Motorola buying Symbol Technologies for $3.9 billion

by Evan Blass, posted Sep 19th 2006 at 11:02AM

Two of our favorite companies (well, more like two companies that we've heard of) have just announced that they'll be getting nice and cozy in the next few months, with cellphone giant Motorola agreeing to buy barcode-scannin', RFID-taggin' Symbol Technologies for about $3.9 billion. Besides handsets, Moto also has a significant foothold in the mobile enterprise market, and Symbol's RFID, barcode, and ruggedized PDA products will supposedly double its presence in inventory management while at the same time "being accretive to earnings," according to analyst Lawrence Harris of Oppenheimer & Company. The deal will reportedly be completed later this year or in early 2007, at which time Motorola will change the name of its new acquisition to SMBL.