QR codes are not necessarily new, they are found on product labels and packaged foods. They are images like the one shown here that can be read by smart phones with the proper software installed. For instance, go to http://www.i-nigma.mobi/ on your phone and install the software. It recognizes your phone type then directs you to the page to install it. Once installed, run the app, point it at the QR code on this page. It instantly recognizes the URL I have attached to this code, in this case my website home page, then automatically loads the page.
Imagine what we can do with these codes in the built environment. We can attach physical labels to buildings and places that enable us to bring up a web page for more information. I suggest the corresponding web page is specially made for mobile devices so that it is lightweight (small in file size and download time).
Walking tours, history, historic district home plaques, construction data, city data, and virtual directories can be attached and accessed on site. This is an easy way to go mobile without the overhead of creating a specific app to facilitate communication. It is also platform independent, meaning you don’t have to build a different app for each smart phone operating system.
The city of Manor, Texas has created a “smart” tour as a way to experiment with QR codes. You can too. Simply generate your QR code, attach a website address, text, SMS, or phone number to the code. Save the image that is dynamically generated. Print it and attach to the location.
