In Japan, quick response codes are everywhere.  A quick response code (QR) is essentially a barcode-like image that can be placed on anything, from billboards to McDonald’s wrappers.  Using a smartphone, a consumer can snap a picture of the QR code, and with the use of a simple application, their phone directs them to a website with some sort of additional information about the product.  McDonald’s for instance, has been using these for years to provide nutritional information about their food, and billboards advertising films allow users to snap a picture in order to instantly buy tickets.  Several Wikinomics writers on this site have written about these and other uses previously.

In Japan and some part of Europe, this is old news.  They also started trickling into Australia last year.  But now, it looks like 2009 might be their year in North America, at least for a few early adopters.

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