Microsoft Launches Windows Live Barcode Beta
In a move that may bring a much needed jump start to Quick Response Code (QR Code) two-dimensional barcodes beyond Japan, Microsoft has launched Windows Live Barcode Beta.
Here is their introduction to the technology and the service:
What is Windows Live Barcode
Windows Live Barcode is a set of services that transfer information between various media (PCs, billboards, magazines etc.) and handsets via Quick Response Code (QR Code), a two-dimensional barcode. It provides a new method for people to exchange information and enjoy various online services on handsets. Windows Live Barcode aims to enhance handset utility and provide you with more convenience and flexibility.
What is QR Code
The QR Code is a two-dimensional barcode. It contains a considerably greater volume of information in both vertical and horizontal directions than typical barcode in one dimension.
Windows Live Barcode provides an online tool to make your own QR Code barcode. The simple tool allows you to make your own free-text or business card barcode. Unfortunately, Windows Live Barcode does not provide the software require to install on Windows Mobile devices to capture and decode the barcodes. In a note on Aditya Bansod’s Blog, he indicates that Microsoft will be providing a phone client on Windows Live Barcode for Windows Mobile soon.
I did find client software that works on the on my HTC TyTN (also known as Hermes, Cingular 8525, Vodafone VPA Compact III, Vodafone 1605, and the T-Mobile MDA Vario II).
SimpleAct has the free required software for Windows Mobile and a number of other devices on their English language QuickMark download page. The downloads are CAB files, no installers, and there does not seem to be any English language supporting documentation.
For my TyTN, I downloaded the CHT 9000 file, transferred the CAB file to my device, double clicked, and it installed the QuickMark application. With this application running, take a picture of any QR Code two-dimensional barcode on paper, on a screen, anywhere, and the contents of the barcode are instantly displayed on your Windows Mobile screen. Pretty cool stuff, and the possibilities are endless. Here is one of the barcodes that I made on Windows Live Barcode. You will have to get yourself setup to capture and read it to learn what is encoded in the barcode.
Hi,
You can find some QR Code software here:
http://reader.kaywa.com
Create your own QR Code:
http://qrcode.kaywa.com
Get a QR Code for your blog and mobilize it.
http://feed2mobile.kaywa.com
[…] Recently, Microsoft launched Windows Live Barcode, a site that allows users to produce free-text and business card QR Codes. The site is currently in Beta and has limited functionality, but Microsoft’s entry into this market may help jumpstart the use of QR Codes in Europe and North America. […]
[…] Finding quality software to install on your mobile phone to read QR Codes is challenging. Microsoft recently launched its Windows Live Barcode Beta but has yet to provide software for Windows mobile phones or links to places to download the software. A Swiss company, Kaywa, offers free phone software, but only for a limited number of phone types. […]
Roger -
Thanks. As you can see I am just getting started here in the last few days on this site. I really appreciate your guidance.
-David
[…] I only have a phone that is QR Code enabled (learn how I did it here). I have tested the QR Code and it works for me. For those of you with phones enabled for the other code standards, it would be great if you could try these out and let us know if they work. […]
[…] The Windows Live Barcode site has been down for several days now. Does anyone know what happened? Tags:Mobile Barcode News Windows Live Barcode […]
I’ve been trying everything I can find, but so far, nothing, for my Samsung Blackjack. Does anyone know where to find a QR Code reader for this phone?
[…] Interessanter wordt het natuurlijk wanneer je deze afbeelding offline kan gaan gebruiken, geprint op business cards, affiches of CV. Maar het probleem momenteel is de enorme hoeveelheid varianten. Maar ook hier komt weldra verandering in. Zowel Nokia als Microsoft experimenten met de QR (Quick Responce) standaard. Ook Dupont, zowat de grootste in de verpakkingsindustrie, gaat sinds kort via het bedrijf Scanbuy met de QR, DM (datamatrix) en EZcode aan de slag. Hierdoor krijgen deze toepassingen weldra een enorme boost en gaan we ze ook bij ons binnenkort overal zien verschijnen. Een laatste variant die enorm potentieel heeft, is Shotcode. Deze werkt op een lichtjes andere wijze en is meer beperkt in dataopslag dan de voorgaande versies maar is vanwege zijn ronde vorm grafisch erg interessant. […]