Mobile Tagging or QR codes is a small barcode, optimized for reading with a cell phone, that you can print, stick, or display just about anywhere. When you scan it with your camera phone, it automatically opens a web page, dials a phone number, or takes some other action on the phone. This allows people to easily access things like video clips, websites, contact information and special offers for items they see in the real world. For example, if you include a Tag on your business card, a new acquaintance can snap a picture of the Tag from their camera phone and automatically upload your contact information to their mobile phone.

Mobile tagging allows you to connect the physical and virtual world together.  Using a 2D or UPC barcode and your cell phone you can instantly connect to the internet.  The technology is new to the United States but has been in use in other countries for several years.

The possibilities are endless.

• Products that include a barcode can now connect you to the web for more information instantly.
• A postcard for a new restaurant arrives in your mail and using the 2D barcode to connect you to their mobile website which includes the menu.
• An advertisement for a community play takes you to a site that has videos of the plan and a link to purchase the tickets.
• A restaurant sets up a VIP club and includes a 2D barcode which automatically enrolls the guest and sends him a mobile coupon for a percentage off his next meal.

This technology will be available on most phones in 2010 and we expect to see widespread use by 2011.

If you would like to explore ways in which you can add this technology to your current marketing programs contact us.

We have included a number of samples of how people are using mobile tagging.  We hope you will get a glimpse of the power of mobile tagging.

Woman’s Day magazine announced that they will begin using Microsoft Tag technology, starting with their May 2010 issue on newsstands now.

The May, July, September and November 2010 issues will feature Tags, which will provide readers with a more impactful and interactive experience.

Tags included in the issues will enable Woman’s Day readers to gain instant access to sweepstakes, recipes, coupons and more from their mobile phone.

“We are thrilled to work with Microsoft Tag to make Woman’s Day’s interactive issues richer than ever before by enabling our readers to connect directly with our advertisers’ creative,” said Carlos Lamadrid, Senior VP/Chief Brand Officer for Woman’s Day. “By bringing Microsoft Tag to Woman’s Day readers, we are both elevating the consumer experience and delivering targeted consumer interaction to our advertisers.”

Above you can see that a sign in front of a home for sale has a Tag on it. This is great for so many reasons.

1-     Pamphlets can get wet or blown away

2-     Saves paper

3-     The interested person now has the house information on their mobile phone

4-     People instantly have access to more information about the home including photos and other media

Windermere says the Tag is in the pilot stage right now, with most of these Tags being used in Seattle.  If you scan the tag you can get all of the home's listing details such as price, bedrooms/bathrooms, pictures and contact info.  Windermere says it also plans to use tags in its print media advertising, which will link to the company's website.

"The intent is to engage our customers with instant, interactive information. We will closely watch the activity generated during the pilot period and come up with additional ways to integrate Tag into our business practice."
- John Jones, Chief Operations Officer at Windermere

Below you can see an example page of what a user will see when they scan the Tag of a certain home:

On the Hear-It-Live Website you can see upcoming shows from different artists, and as you can see above, you are able to click on a certain artist’s Tag. When snapped, the Tag integrates with the Hear-It-Live Mobile Application and the user is taken to the artist page on the application. Here you can see the artist’s Twitter stream, biography, music and upcoming shows. (See below).

 

The implementation of Tag acts as the portal between the website and mobile application. Directing users to the specific artist they are interested in. What other ways could you foresee app developers using Microsoft Tag?