out of the box :: The awesome world of digital

emart introduces the worlds first shadow QR code

In an attempt to increase sales during emart’s slowest period, they introduced a special QR code at locations across Korea. The code itself is only scannable during 12pm and 1pm when the sun passes over it and casts the correct shadow for it to work. People were rewarded with 25% off vouchers for their effort. It’s a unique use of the QR code technology, and a nice way of driving purchase at an otherwise slow time.

Move over QR code, it’s time for the Touch Code

Ever since mobile was invented, advertisers have been looking at ways to quickly transfer information between their message and the device. We started with bluetooth, then came along barcodes, QR codes and finally more recently RFID and NFC. But all have failed in many ways. Many rely on the phones camera, something that differs between devices. Whatever the reason for their failure, consumers have been slow to take up any of these.

Could the clever guys over at TouchCode fixed this age-old problem? Perhaps. Have a watch above and see for yourselves. I have to say, the technology certainly looks interesting. The codes are invisible, can be printed on any printer and more importantly, can be read by any smart phone. It almost seems too good to be true doesn’t it? There seems to be lots of uses for them too. However, with an app needed to be installed in order to access the information, are consumers not facing the same barriers as before? I guess, only time will tell.