My Tech Obsession Du Jour: The 2-D Barcode
Arguably the coolest thing about life at LaunchSquad is meeting cutting-edge clients who introduce me to new technology that I never knew existed. One such client is StoreXperience, a mobile retail company that harnesses the power of my favorite new tech tool: the 2-D barcode.
I have developed a genuine obsession with 2-D barcodes (often called QR Codes). Though they resemble traditional retail barcodes, 2-D barcodes can be instantly scanned by advanced cell phones to bring complex online content straight to the hands of consumer.
Now all of that tech talk is dandy, but what gets me most psyched about 2-D barcodes is how creative types are bringing this tool into the real world: merging art, technology and design to make a real statement.
Since fashion seems to be the first frontier of 2-D barcode style, here are three companies to keep an eye on:
Lendorff Perhaps the most popular QR Code fashion statement comes from this English company, who have ingrained the barcodes onto scarves. The amazing Rob Walker dedicated his entire Consumed column to these guys last month. I now want to buy one for everyone I know.
Wikd This Dutch tech fashion company embeds individual codes onto shirts and hoodies, allowing wearers to customize the URLs on their clothing — and interested scanners to send private messages via their cellphone.
Denim Code This French company puts 2-D barcodes on the back pockets of their jeans. Can’t imagine this won’t lead to some seriously bizarre pick-up scenarios.
2-D barcodes are already very popular in Japan and Europe, and it is inevitable that they will be more widely seen Stateside soon. To get a peek at what’s in store for you, check out this Flickr gallery of international QR code statements.
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