RFID in Japan

QR codes are 2D barcodes that are widely available in Japan. Consumers, for example, use their cell phones to take a picture of a QR code and automatically access a corresponding website.

According to a recent research conducted by C-NEWS, more than 70% i-mode cell phone users knew QR codes and almost 60% people actually used QR codes. Not surprisingly, QR codes are more popular among younger people (<29 years old). This research is based on questionnaires answerd by 400 users of the following i-mode cell phones: 900i, 506i, 505iS. (via ITMedia, October 25, in Japanese)

In related news, a Japanese mobile phone contents privider MediaSeek and China Unicom will jointly develop applications using QR-codes/barcodes for the chinese market. Pilot tests will be conducted iin 2005 in Beijing, Shanghai, Kanton and their surrounding areas. Intended applications include a navigation service that uses location encoded QR-codes and display a map on a cell phone, and a shipment tracking service. (via ITMedia, October 25, in Japanese)

Also, Nippon University announced that QR-codes will be used at its upcoming university festival to solicit festival participaton. 20 student-run shops will use a mobile sales promotion tool called "Oyayubi Dot Com" and QR codes. QR codes will be printed on posters, cards, and stickers. For example, vistors scan a QR code printed on a sticker to receive sales promotion SMS messages on their cell phones. (via ITMedia, October 25, in Japanese)

Posted by konomi at October 28, 2004 12:52 AM | TrackBack