Microsoft launches 'tagging' app - bit-tech.net Forums

CardJoe · 13th Jan 2009, 13:58

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2009/01...-tagging-app/1

Microsoft has launched a 'tagging' application for mobile 'phones, which scans specially encoded 2D barcodes in order to direct users to websites.

p3n · 13th Jan 2009, 14:01

Works nicely on my iphone (taking a blurry photo of my monitor!), although it has limited use really since it requires an internet connection to get your treats!

DougEdey · 13th Jan 2009, 14:15

Can Microsoft ever use/enhance an existing standard? The problem with QR codes is focal length on camera phones

p3n · 13th Jan 2009, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougEdey

Can Microsoft ever use/enhance an existing standard? The problem with QR codes is focal length on camera phones

They have done quite well tbh, the colours mixed with the orientation of the triangle allow for a really dodgy picture!

Gareth Halfacree · 13th Jan 2009, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougEdey

Can Microsoft ever use/enhance an existing standard? The problem with QR codes is focal length on camera phones

That's the issue that the new standard is designed to address: it seems to work from a much blurrier image than existing 2D barcode systems, so you don't need to have the tag in focus in order to get a successful scan.

Spiny · 13th Jan 2009, 14:25

O2 seem to disable the barcode scanner on nokia handsets in the UK too

DougEdey · 13th Jan 2009, 14:31

Considering QR codes are widely spread & used in Japan I don't quite understand why we don't have the support for it out here

ch424 · 13th Jan 2009, 14:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiny

O2 seem to disable the barcode scanner on nokia handsets in the UK too

I don't think they do.. my O2 Nokia N82 and N73 both have the barcode scanner. Update your firmware?

mclean007 · 13th Jan 2009, 15:38

Much, MUCH quicker than QR on my Nokia N95 8GB - the camera hadn't even autofocused and I hadn't even finished framing the shot before it recognised the demo tag on the MS download site. I literally swung the camera towards the monitor and as soon as the whole tag (off-centre and off-axis, I'll add) was within the frame, it pinged up the MS site. Once again MS devises its own competing standard, but in this case, for once, it is significantly superior to the existing solutions. Well done Microsoft!

Shuriken · 13th Jan 2009, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiny

O2 seem to disable the barcode scanner on nokia handsets in the UK too

Works on my O2 N95 as well, what phone do you have?

Ending Credits · 13th Jan 2009, 15:50

As long as it's not "on loan".

Gareth Halfacree · 13th Jan 2009, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ending Credits

As long as it's not "on loan".

I have one of them. I bypassed the encryption in hardware (really difficult to do - you cut a leg off the IC. Seriously.) and use it to catalogue my books with LibraryThing.

hitman012 · 13th Jan 2009, 16:41

I just pointed my phone at the picture in the article, hit the button and it worked perfectly. Quite impressive.

quack · 13th Jan 2009, 18:14

It's great that blurry/shaky pics are easier to read than QR or Datamatrix codes. I just tested it out on my iPhone, and N95.

I'd have to say it works better on the N95 than the iPhone... for one the image is clearer (the N95 camera is awesome), but it picks up on the barcode immediately without having to press anything.

wuyanxu · 13th Jan 2009, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by p3n

Works nicely on my iphone (taking a blurry photo of my monitor!), although it has limited use really since it requires an internet connection to get your treats!

i don't get the point of this....

there's already an app called SnapTell on the iPhone that can tell you just from a book/DVD/music cover.

mclean007 · 13th Jan 2009, 18:57

@quack - love your avatar mate. Think you're ahead of the curve - I sense tags as avatars is going to be something of a theme for the next wee while!

Smilodon · 13th Jan 2009, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by wikipedia

"You have to wonder about a business plan based on the notion that people want to interact with a soda can." -Jeff Salkowski

I guess he has a pretty valid point.

B1GBUD · 13th Jan 2009, 21:20

Slow news day? woohoo a new barcode, lets break out the party hats and have a little dance shall we?

Gareth Halfacree · 13th Jan 2009, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by B1GBUD

Slow news day? woohoo a new barcode, lets break out the party hats and have a little dance shall we?

Love you too, sweetie. Personally I find this kind of technology fascinating, but perhaps that's just me.

quack · 13th Jan 2009, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by mclean007

@quack - love your avatar mate. Think you're ahead of the curve - I sense tags as avatars is going to be something of a theme for the next wee while!

It wasn't all that long ago that I had a QR code avatar. I'm sure some people remember it.

13th Jan 2009, 13:58	#1
CardJoe Player Character bit-tech Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,978	Microsoft launches 'tagging' app http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2009/01...-tagging-app/1 Microsoft has launched a 'tagging' application for mobile 'phones, which scans specially encoded 2D barcodes in order to direct users to websites. __________________ this is joe's non-bit-tech blog

13th Jan 2009, 14:15	#3
DougEdey I pwn all your storage Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 13,933	Can Microsoft ever use/enhance an existing standard? The problem with QR codes is focal length on camera phones __________________ Burnout: Paradise Stats!XBL: DougEdey Bindi PSN ID: DougEdey Twitter

13th Jan 2009, 14:31	#7
DougEdey I pwn all your storage Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 13,933	Considering QR codes are widely spread & used in Japan I don't quite understand why we don't have the support for it out here __________________ Burnout: Paradise Stats!XBL: DougEdey Bindi PSN ID: DougEdey Twitter

13th Jan 2009, 15:38	#9
mclean007 Officious Bystander Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nodnol Posts: 1,597	Much, MUCH quicker than QR on my Nokia N95 8GB - the camera hadn't even autofocused and I hadn't even finished framing the shot before it recognised the demo tag on the MS download site. I literally swung the camera towards the monitor and as soon as the whole tag (off-centre and off-axis, I'll add) was within the frame, it pinged up the MS site. Once again MS devises its own competing standard, but in this case, for once, it is significantly superior to the existing solutions. Well done Microsoft! __________________ Demand Naked DSL in the UK!

13th Jan 2009, 15:50	#11
Ending Credits Hoot if you're a revowlutionary. Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bucks, UK Posts: 1,764	As long as it's not "on loan". __________________ A Little Game I made in Leadwerks AMD Phenom 9850 Black Edition \|\| DFI 790FXB-M2RSH \|\| Powercolour ATI 4870 1GB \|\| 4GB 1066Mhz GEIL Black Dragon \|\| Aplus Black Pearl WCR \|\| Yurak 24" PVA \|\| 19" Hanns-G \|\| Vista 64-bit AMD Phenom 9500 \|\| GIGABYTE GA-M720-US3 \|\| MSI 7600GT \|\| 2GB DDR2 1066Mhz \|\| bequiet 350W

13th Jan 2009, 14:01	#2
p3n Hypermodder Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 736	Works nicely on my iphone (taking a blurry photo of my monitor!), although it has limited use really since it requires an internet connection to get your treats!

13th Jan 2009, 14:25	#6
Spiny Modder Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 55	O2 seem to disable the barcode scanner on nokia handsets in the UK too

13th Jan 2009, 16:41	#13
hitman012 What is a Dremel!? Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bristol / London Posts: 4,811	I just pointed my phone at the picture in the article, hit the button and it worked perfectly. Quite impressive. __________________ "Nothing is more practical than a good theory" - Kurt Lewin

13th Jan 2009, 18:14	#14
quack \o/ Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: England Posts: 5,221	It's great that blurry/shaky pics are easier to read than QR or Datamatrix codes. I just tested it out on my iPhone, and N95. I'd have to say it works better on the N95 than the iPhone... for one the image is clearer (the N95 camera is awesome), but it picks up on the barcode immediately without having to press anything. __________________ Denying Rights to Music lovers. Denying Rights to Movie lovers.

13th Jan 2009, 18:57	#16
mclean007 Officious Bystander Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nodnol Posts: 1,597	@quack - love your avatar mate. Think you're ahead of the curve - I sense tags as avatars is going to be something of a theme for the next wee while! __________________ Demand Naked DSL in the UK!

13th Jan 2009, 21:20	#18
B1GBUD Multimodder Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 206	Slow news day? woohoo a new barcode, lets break out the party hats and have a little dance shall we?