A team of scientists led by Jon Kellar at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology have come up with a special QR code—using nanoparticles combined with blue and green fluorescent ink—that can be used to prevent counterfeiters from getting away with passing along forged cash. More »
Scientists have recently reported that they managed to come up with a new nano-code, an invisible tag of sorts that rely on the widely-used “quick response” code in order to help foil the plans of counterfeiters, especially banknote forgers and criminals who thrive on fake drugs and other faux high value items such as vintage wine. The nano-code is actually a QR code that will be used as a form of authentication. This is no ordinary QR code though, as it comprises of nanoparticles which have been merged with blue and green fluorescent ink.
The code itself will be generated with standard computer-aided design (CAD) equipment, where it is then sprayed onto a surface such as paper, plastic film, office tape, glass via an aerosol jet printer. It will remain invisible until the object becomes illuminated by a near-infrared laser. This would result in the invisible nano-code to pop up as though like magic, where it can then be scanned for verification purposes. Initial tests have proved to be favorable, where even on banknotes, said nano-code continued being readable after multiple wear and tear.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Man of Steel QR code shows off how Superman’s new costume looks like, QR codes on apparel share information about yourself to others,
Most stores accepting mobile payments usually have to take just one format, whether it’s Google Wallet, Square or another flavor that you probably can’t use. LevelUp is convinced you shouldn’t have to choose platforms: it just revealed a new payment dock that will recognize both the company’s existing QR code system as well as NFC. It’s much easier sight on the eyes than typical NFC terminals, to boot. Just don’t expect a one-for-one recreation of systems like Google Wallet or Isis. Rather than expose your banking details by holding them in a chip, LevelUp’s NFC is just used to move the transaction along — if it’s used to get things started, shoppers can either switch to a QR code or complete the transaction with a second tap. The company is mostly planning to replace its existing payment points across the US with the NFC-aware models. Bluetooth 4.0 is an option for the future, however, which could make LevelUp even more of a Swiss Army Knife for the world of mobile commerce.
Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals
LevelUp unveils payment docks that take both NFC and QR codes, leave out the guesswork originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 03:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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If you thought Google’s perspicacious searching application was clever before, prepare for a shock. Google Goggles version 1.9 adds support for devices without autofocusing optics, giving those on budget gear a chance to use the real world as a search box. Point it at a QR code containing a URL, and it’ll show you a thumbnail of the page and check its credentials against its blacklist of malicious sites. If it comes up short when searching for a product, it’ll even search for similar-looking items to help you find what you’re looking for, and it’s available from the Play store for free — so you don’t really have any excuse.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Internet, Software
Google Goggles update brings support for devices without autofocus originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 22:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
It’s no secret that companies who come up with the most creative ads are the ones that get the most attention, therefore, achieving their goal. Procter & Gamble decided to go the unusual route recently, and drummed up a lot of publicity when they launched their QR truck store on the road.
It’s basically a regular old truck that invites people to buy some of P&G’s basic household stuff simply by pointing their smartphones at the QR codes beside the pictured goods. No details on how the P&G will deliver the items to the customer, although it’ll probably be shipped over to their home. While a fairly novel idea, we’ve seen something like this before with the virtual grocery store over in Korea.
The downside is that it’s probably not the greatest thing for the environment, with all the gas it’ll consume while making the rounds in the city.
P&G’s trucks were only deployed until June 27th as part of a promotional campaign. There’s no word on whether this is something they’ll be doing on a regular basis.
Strangely, the Austrian city of Klagenfurt doesn’t have a public library, even though it hosts the Festival of German-Language Literature. However, an initiative dubbed Project Ingeborg is turning the municipality into a book repository of sorts with 70 QR code and NFC chip-equipped stickers. Plastered throughout town, they direct users to web pages where they can download public domain works, largely from Project Gutenberg. Oftentimes, e-books will be located in relevant locations — so you’ll be sure to find Arthur Schnitzler’s The Killer near the police station, for example. Come August, the team behind the effort will partner with local talent to distribute books, music and other digital content too. In an effort to build a stronger bond to the location, the organizers have prevented search engines from indexing the links, so you’ll have to visit Klagenfurt to access the curated goods. If you’d like to turn your city into a library, the group hopes to release instructions for replicating their system soon.
[Thanks, Michael]
Filed under: Cellphones
Austrian city builds public library with nothing but QR codes, NFC and stickers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 06:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
There are many uses for QR code, and here we are with a rather unique example – that is, a QR code used in the Man of Steel comic. What you see on the right is the clearest official image to date of the entire Superman costume as it will debut in Man of Steel. You will need to rely on the BrowsAR augmented reality app on your device which runs on either the iOS or Android operating system. While it might take some time to load up, the end result would be having you get a full view of the real Superman, where the no longer wears the traditional trunks.
Other than that, everything else is as expected – the signature red boots, red cape as well as the all time favorite “S” emblem on his chest. what other ways are there to make use of a QR code in collector’s items like comic books? Do you like the way advertising is done with the use of QR codes now in popular media?
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: QR codes on apparel share information about yourself to others, Lady Shamrock cow gets her own QR code ,
The iOS crowd’s been able to enjoy Flow’s AR features since late last year, but fortunately for those on the Android side who’ve been missing out, this powered-by-Amazon app is now (finally) also available on Google’s OS. It’s simple, using augmented reality and A9’s “continuous scan technology,” the application allows users to buy, as well as get extra information on products such as video games, books, toys, DVDs and CDs through simply using one’s smartphone camera — much like Google Goggles does. Additionally, Flow will keep your scanning history on file, making it easier to find items by date, name, category or scan type. What’s more, Amazon’s Flow won’t cost you a nickel, and it’s up for download now via the company’s own app shop and the Google Play link below.
Amazon’s Flow augmented reality app comes to Android, makes shopping more entertaining originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Jul 2012 17:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
I guess business cards are no longer relevant in the future, not when companies start to catch on the idea of printing QR codes on shirts, suits and jackets sometime down the road. Of course, this idea might just occupy a niche market, but only time will tell. What QRTribe apparel has in mind, is to custom print a QR code on your apparel of choice, so that whoever scans this code will be led to a page that shows off a slew of private information – basically, a Wikipedia on yourself. This page which the QR code directs people to will also be able to show links to your Facebook account as well as other social network pages, in addition to essential contact information such as your phone number.
No idea on just which gender would be more partial to such an idea – I guess girls would generally prefer to avoid being a walking, open encyclopedia, as they tend to want to maintain that sense of mystery which drives us guys nuts when we pursue the girl of our dreams. Depending on where you want QRTribe to print your personal QR code, it will cost anywhere from $40 all the way to approximately $100. It is not that weird an idea actually, as a cow already has her own QR code, so why not humans?
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Lady Shamrock cow gets her own QR code , Rock the Vote parades t-shirt with QR code design ,
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