You may be noticing these funky little squares popping up everywhere - but while they may be new to you, Quick Response (QR) codes have a bit of history around the world!

These two dimensional codes are used to engage those who choose to scan them with dedicated QR code scanners and smart phones. Even webcams and iPads can scan them! Generally, these QR codes are arranged in black and white squares but as their popularity continues to grow many designers and marketing professionals are adding their own flair to the codes. The data encoded into the codes can be anything from URL, text, mapping and more!

Quick Response codes were created in 1994 by Toyota subsidiary Denso-Wave. It was intended to allow its data to be decoded quickly at high speeds. The technology has taken huge strides in Japan, the Netherlands and areas in South Korea.  However, these codes are slowly making their way into major European countries and even the United States.

The codes were initially used to track parts during vehicle manufacturing. As the technology has spread into other industries many use the codes for commercial and advertising targeting active mobile users.

The use of QR codes is free of license and clearly defined and published as an ISO standard. Denso-Wave owns patent rights on QR codes but has chosen not to act on them in order to further their widespread usage.The term ‘QR code’ is a registered trademark of Denso-Wave, as well.

There are four levels of error correction for QR codes:

• Level L - 7% of codewords can be restored.
• Level M - 15% of codewords can be restored.
• Level Q - 25% of codewords can be restored.
• Level H - 30% of codewords can be restored.

At the highest level of error correction, artistic codes can be created with intentional errors that may display logos and colors that tend to be more pleasing to the human eye. However, some scanners may have difficulty reading the various artistic changes in the code.

QR codes are on the rise around the world thus bringing the onslaught of many mobile devices offering various applications to scan them.  Many mobile phones provided by Android, Nokia and Blackberry already have a QR code reader installed within the device allowing the user to be more comfortable with scanning. Among Apple devices there are various free and paid applications to be downloaded that provide similar QR scanning services.

With QR codes becoming more and more prominent, its important to know the history and the emerging technology taking place. At TrakQR we provide dynamic QR codes allowing the user to edit and manage their codes with ease. You can learn more about the difference between static QR codes and dynamic QR codes on our website!

Creating a Dynamic QR Code with TrakQR

Quick Response (QR) codes can be simple!  With our minimalistic dashboard you can organize and create dynamic QR codes that allow you to edit and track the code over the course of any campaign.

Edit a QR code? Yep. Dynamic QR codes are different from the run of the mill static QR codes you see floating around the internet. Dynamic QR allows you create one QR code and change the destination or action of the scan at any time! For example, you use one of the TrakQR codes on your business cards and have the code download/email a VCard with your contact information to a device for social gatherings and networking. But when you go to speak at a conference you set up your TrakQR code to send out a special tweet saying “I’m attending @yourusername’s presentation on how to be awesome.”  After the conference is over you can then change your TrakQR code back to your VCard for your daily needs. This is all done through one magical TrakQR code and saves you the cost and effort of getting new or different business cards.

So how does one go about getting a TrakQR code?

That’s easy! Once you have registered for TrakQR - you will be sent to your very own TrakQR dashboard. At the very top of the dashboard you will be prompted to create your first code (see above).  Name your TrakQR code and select which type of code you want to create.  TrakQR will then prompt you with a few fields specific to each different type. After you finish - just select ‘Create.’ 

Now you that you have a Dynamic QR code - you can come back at anytime to edit, track, download, or delete the code which you have created. It’s really that simple!

Want to be apart of our private beta? Use this special link: http://trakqr.com/beta/tumblr

We just launched our closed beta - first round of invites have been sent out! We’re headed to sleep now! :)

Sign up to get on the next wave of invites: http://trakqr.com

We’ve recently updated our features page with screen shots of our QR code generator/campaign manager. We’re excited. Launching in less than 48 hours!

What the heck is a QR Code?

QR, or Quick Response, codes are 2D barcodes that can be read by a variety of smartphones inlcluding iPhone/iPad, Android, Windows Mobile, Nokia, Blackberry and others. With an assortment of QR code scanner apps readily available, people are learning more about products, brands, events and practically anything else with a quick scan of a code. Whether printed or online, they are being used as a new and improved way to spread the word about whatever it is you want to share with the world.

So what makes a QR Code “dynamic”?

Most QR codes are static - meaning the destination of the scan is hardcoded into the QR code and will always go to the same place every time it is scanned. Dynamic QR codes, on the other hand, give you the ability to change the destination of the code whenever you want to where ever you want. This flexibility allows you to extend the lifecycle of your print ads, test different types of campaigns with ease and could potentially save you a lot of time and money.

First ever TrakQR codes used for business- check out the new biz cards @abbisiler is passing out!

Another sneak peek of TrakQR! Get excited!

Here’s a sneak peek of our QR code dashboard! We plan on launching in about a week… and we are SUPER pumped about it! If you haven’t signed up for an invite - you better get on the ball…we are hoping to have them in the mail next week.

Got feedback? Let us know!

@trakqr on Twitter

Art + Technology = FTW!

Sign-up for our exclusive QR code generator and manager beta.  We are extremely excited to offer sign-ups and look forward to all of the feedback we get from our beta users! Signing up is easy - just click the link!