Last updated on November 24, 2020
QR (quick response) codes have certainly had their ups and downs, as far public consciousness goes. I find that, for myself, I only use them regularly when setting up two-factor authentication for online services–often when I use my Yubikey (I keep one in my office and one on my keychain and I love them!). Many services that offer 2FA present a QR code to help set things up, and it’s generally a quick and handy way to go about it. I almost never use QR codes outside of that task…but that may be changing. It appears that, in light of the pandemic, they be having a big moment.
- In a Touch-Free World, the QR Code Is Having Its Moment [Wired} “As lockdowns around the world started to ease, however, the QR code found itself in its element. It was the perfect touch-free medium. It allowed people to interact with the world around them while touching only their own smartphone.”
- Instagram launches QR codes globally, letting people open a profile from any camera app [The Verge] “The idea is that businesses can print their QR code and have customers scan it to open their Instagram account easily. From there, people can see store hours, buy items, or just follow the account.”
- PayPal and Venmo QR Code checkout is coming to 8,200 CVS stores in Q4 [TechCrunch] “The company announced this morning CVS will become the first nationwide retailer to allow customers to pay using either their PayPal or Venmo QR code at the register, without fees.”
- QR Codes Are Everywhere As The Coronavirus Pandemic Forces Businesses To Adapt [KDKA CBS Pittsburgh] “Slyfox Tap House on Liberty Avenue has been using QR codes since the start of the pandemic. According to management, they have been a successful alternative to paper menus, which helps cut printing costs.”
From the Ohio Web Library:
- Revisiting quick response code technology: corporate perspectives. (Sen, S., Rocco, R. A., Ranganathan, S., & Brooks Jr., J. R. (2019). Revisiting quick response code technology: corporate perspectives. International Journal of Mobile Communications, 17(6), 703–726.)
- QR Codes: Social Work in the Clouds (Hurt, R. J., Janis-Thompson, M., Shankle, R., & Morris, J. R. G. (2019). QR Codes: Social Work in the Clouds. New Social Worker, 26(3), 16.)
- BEYOND SIGNAGE. (Silberg, J. (2015). BEYOND SIGNAGE. (Cover story). Sound & Video Contractor, 33(7), 32.)
