Quick response codes have been used by the automotive industry for many years to quickly track vehicle parts in vehicle manufacturing plants. They have recently begun to gain popularity in the consumer world all because of smart phones. A QR code is simply a two dimensional bar code. Unlike the standard bar code we have all seen on almost everything we buy for many years that consists of a row of black bars of varying width which is read horizontally, the QR code has coded information that is read both horizontally and vertically. This process produces results very rapidly and downloads it immediately to your smart phone.

QR codes storing addresses and URLs may appear in magazines, on signs, on buses, on business cards, or on almost any object about which users might need information. You will also see them in libraries, museums, hardware stores, etc. A QR code can also be displayed on a webpage to be scanned by the user as if it were on a sign or paper label (scanning the code above will take you to my homepage). Users with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader application can scan the image of the QR code to display text, display contact information, connect to a wireless network, or open a web page in the telephone's browser. Many retailers are beginning to use the QR codes to provide information to the consumer about their products and services.

The uses and advantages of this type of system are endless. Here are a few reasons you should have the QR code reader on your smart phone:

• You purchase plants from your local hardware store and they have QR code cards setup for each plant species. (Home Depot is beginning this process now). When you scan the QR code, it will download lots of valuable information about the plant so you will know how to care for it properly. And every QR code you scan into your smart phone is saved until you delete it. So that information will still be available to you when you decide to plant the new shrub two days from now. And you can email the code to anyone with whom you would like to share the information.

• If you visit a museum, art gallery, etc. you will find small cards at each exhibit that will give you a small amount of information about the items on display. But if you want more detail, you can simply scan the QR code and download much more detail about that particular exhibit.

• Many business persons are beginning to add the QR code to the back of their business card (including me). It makes it much easier to visit their website for contact information or other details that you might need.

• Many foods that are sold in grocery markets are beginning to carry QR codes which will give you more information about nutritional value, etc.

• Many libraries and book stores are beginning to use the codes to allow users to read book reviews, etc.

• Suppose you have a technical business. The installers usually carry huge books which contain the information they need to install and calibrate the devices. Now you can load the information to your website, apply a CR code sticker to the side of the device and provide them with a smart phone! If you need to change the process, you only have to update the information on your website and it will be immediately available to every field service technician, whether you have 4 or 40,000!

• Have a newsletter that you make available to all your club members on a regular basis? Or a church bulletin? Now you can publish it and make the QR code part of your bulletin or wallboard and everyone has immediate access to it.

• How about a recipe website? Place a QR code on the recipe page and its simple for the surfer to download it, along with any special items they would not otherwise print out, like your office phone number, company logo, etc.

• How about a large resort with cabins, etc. The customers could simply scan your QR code and download a map of the facility, hours of operations, rates, menus, etc.

• If you are a realtor, how about printing QR codes on the sign in front of the house! No limit to the amount of information you could make available to the prospective buyer, including the current asking price.....

The possibilities are endless...........

You can quickly download a free QR code reader from iTunes. Search the app store for QR reader, then download the free app called "QR Reader for iPhone". This free app will also enable you to quickly create your own free QR codes which you can email to yourself and then begin using immediately! QR codes can also be used in Google's mobile Android operating system via both their own Google Goggles application or 3rd party barcode scanners like ZXing or Kaywa.