Compatability of QR Code Readers and Generators: A little road test
Thanks to all that responded to my call for help. An anxiety that I have had is that perhaps not all QR Code readers would read QR Codes from different generators. I’m aware that they should, there is an ISO standard. However, from observations when I’ve been using them there has been some compatibility concerns.
So to put my mind at rest, I set up a very simple test – I’d create three types of QR codes (a web link, a SMS pre-loaded message to a generator, and a text message), created by three different online generators, winksite, kaywa and Quickmark. Then invite people to see if they could read them on their devices, and complete the required task.
The findings are … yes they can, to a certain degree. It appears that they where read, however, on some devices, such as the iPhone using the Barcode App then they didn’t complete the actions. This occurred with the SMS message. Also, the person using the Nokia 6301 with i-nigma also encountered problems with the Quickmark generated QR codes which focussed on text.
So what do I take from this? I take a certain degree of comfort that I can continue using my preferred QR code generator and for the key activities of passing a web address, a SMS message or some text information then people will be able to access these activities.
The devices included;
- iPhone, with Barcode reader * 2
- Nokia E65 with Quickmark reader
- Nokia N95 with built in reader
- A computer using webcam readers, bcWebCam and Quickmark
- MDA Vario III with Quickmark and I-Nigma
- Nokia E51 with Quickmark and I-Nigma
- HTC Tytn 2 with Quickmark
- Nokia 6301 with i-nigma