Tuesday, August 26, 2008

QR Codes on Google Maps

QR Codes are two dimensional bar codes that can be used to store web addresses and other data in a form that can be quickly accessed by a mobile phone. Anyone with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader software can scan the QR Code and the phone's browser will automatically load the programmed URL. In this way locations in the real world can be linked to their on-line presence and, of course, to Google Maps.

QR Code for the Statue of LibertySemapedia.org
Semapedia connects Wikipedia articles with real world locations. To create a QR Code for a Wikipedia article you just need to enter the article's web address and Semapedia creates a PDF containing the QR Code that links to the article.

If you post the QR Code up at its physical location you will have helped hyperlink the world. Now when anyone visits the location they can point their mobile phone at the code and immediately be taken to the relvant Wikipedia article.

Semapedia has a Google Map of locations that have been hyperlinked in the real world. Each tag contains the name and the date of the tagger and a photo showing the QR Code posted on its location.

QRMap
a qr codeQRMap is a great tool for creating QR Codes for a Google Map centred on any location. You can then use the code to direct mobile phone users to a Google Static Map of your location. For example a night-club could put the QR Code on a flyer so potential customers could quickly access a map of the club via their mobile phones.

To create the QR Code all you have to do is centre the QRmap on a location and press the envelope at the top of the screen. QRMap then creates an e-mail with a tiny URL to a web address where you can find your QR Code. The QR Code can then be cut and pasted into any document.

QR Code Mapplet (dead link removed)
screen shot of QR Code Mapplet
The QR Code Mapplet lets registered users create a Google Map with an embedded QR Code. It is possible therefore to create a map that users can scan to get directions to a business, to get the contact details of a business on their phone, or to visit a mobile website or mobile blog.

If users point their phones at the embedded QR Code they can also create a bookmark of a mobile website or mobile blog on their phones or note down an address on the mobile phone, just as they would using a pen and a paper.



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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is there a QR software available for the iphone?
I'm AWED!!!

Keir Clarke said...

iMatrix I think is one. Just search for iphone and QR Code and I bet you'll find others.

Omar said...

Good post
I have a Google Chart API generator, you can check it here http://omarabid.com/barcode/online_qrcode.php

Anonymous said...

Glad Google are realising the possibilities with codes but they could be doing a whole lot more than the linking that are wowing you re maps etc.

Codes with Mobile Interaction given the right system can done all the James Bond stuff but, can also provide cross media applications, on screen and on any printed surface, and provide numerous business solutions too. Go to www.upcode.co.uk and find out more and PS Google want to really use these codes to best effect, be delighted to discuss.

Mark Hendriksen
CEO
UpCode Mobile Solutions

Download a QR and DataMatrix Reader for FREE at the website above, for compatible phone models

Anonymous said...

Please note the QR Code Mapplet evolved to something else. Users can now
download 2D barcode tickets in either Aztec, Datamatrix or QR Codes, simply
by scanning the QR code on the mapplet.
See a live demo here
http://www.ventipix.com/au/

You can also print out the QR code and the map http://www.ventipix.com/au/listing.php?id=7&num=150&type=print



Cheers,
Perry

For more free QR Code stuff see https://www.ventipix.com

Webewitch said...

We have a map site for Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands.
http://fuerteventura-maps.com/

Using the 'Share Your Location' button you can drop a marker, drag it, Name it and you'll have the QR Code showing your location, iframe html code, long URL, short URL - and code specifically designed to post your map in our sister site - http://www.fuerteventura-forum.com/

It all integrates well.