| QRCodes and Microsoft's new tag |
 QRCodes and Microsoft's new tag
|
Jan. 8th, 2009 @ 04:56 am 
|
|---|
Ok .. so I've gotten enough information that while I can call MS's tags interesting they are a failure in my book.
So Microsoft has released it's own bar coding system that among other things uses high color contrasts to make the various codes different. I was wondering to myself how this is different from QRCodes, and what I was told (indirectly) that they are more accurate and smaller. I cannot attest currently to the accuracy issue. I've been using QRCodes for over a year now and have had much luck. As for the size I call this FUD based on the picture I've seen in the resource. The picture Microsoft is showing shows a rather small Microsoft tag beside two very large Data Matrix and QRCode tags. I'd say that based on the data examples the Microsoft tag is <10 bytes of data. I cannot speak to the DataMatrix but the QRCode is 4 times the physical size, and based on the encoding markers it could hold up to 1 k of data. Big difference. In personal experience I've managed to put a 18byte message into the same size. (Actually, when it comes to size the MS Tag is bigger; .625" vs .5" for QRcode V2)
Another issue I take is that the MS Tag works through a centralized approach access MS servers to translate the code into a URL, that you then link to get the information. I see several issues here, namely being control and inability to use the feature offline.
QRCode
Pros
+Up to 70% of the code can be damaged and the information recovered with normal error correction methods
+The spec allows the size to grow with data
+The spec allows for a micro QR code under 35 characters that is the same size as the MS Tag (bit.ly anyone)
+Doesn't need color, therefore simple printer and stamps work with this process
+Non centralized
+Can store data in any form
+Can retrieve data offline if it's encoded in the code
+Free (technically patented but owner refuses to exercise patent such that people will actually use it)
+Already in major use for parts labeling
+Software and embedded hardware for decoding/encoding is already widely available
Cons
- Not wide spread outside of Asia for consumer use
- There is a possibility that some phones cannot read the codes (I can't verify this as even my cheapest phone works fine)
-Black and White can have contrast issues
MS TAG
Pros
+ Color could be used to condense information
+Color may make it easier for phone scans
+ All Tags are smaller than many QRcodes. (Size restriction due to bit.ly style url redirect)
Cons
- Centralized
- Hints that the system to create the tags will become pay only eventually
- Incapable of working offline
Questions
* What kind of error correction (if any) does it use?
* Will money become a factor?
* Will Microsoft be able to force consumer adoption any more than QRcodes have?
Bottom Line:
I don't foresee adoption on a wide scale, and even if it is, it will be another US centric technology. QR Code is superior in most respects including existing deployment but US consumers still don't get it; and probably never will. MS Tags will go the way of the CueCat.
Resources :
http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090108/microsoft-tag-microsofts-own-2d-barcode/
http://www.microsoft.com/tag
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_Code
http://www.denso-wave.com/qrcode/index-e.htmlCurrent Mood:  amused |
|
|
| Top of Page |
Powered by LiveJournal.com |
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
kalidor's journal