Baratunde

The only technological bet that seems to have survived lockdown-era exuberance is QR codes. They not only made it to the other side, but appear to be growing in usage and popularity at restaurants, on television, even on business cards. My 70-something in-laws know how to use them. Meta’s metaverse, on the other hand, has fallen into digital purgatory (alongside Clubhouse and crypto).

Discuss!

https://puck.news/elons-blue-period/

Elon’s Blue Period

Marshall McLuhan famously said the medium was the message. Turns out he was only scratching the surface: social media is the message, and maybe it shouldn’t be.

Puck
Apr 11, 2023 at 2:58amMastodon for iOS
Show threadMfollettApr 11, 2023
@baratunde QR codes had been slowly advancing for quite a while before that. The tech was already built into phone OSes and they had already found some problems to solve. I remember seeing QR codes on business cards and flyers at least 6 years prior. They definitely did shine for things like digital menus, but I wouldn’t say they were a bet at that time.
Show threadjaymerryfield Apr 11, 2023
@baratunde Clubhouse was so pretentious at the time. And it evaporated, completely. 😂
Show threadRobert GuillamApr 11, 2023

@baratunde For what it's worth, someone from Singapore. QR codes are quite effective for restaurant businesses.

in it's simplest form, the QR code directs you to a PDF file of a restaurant menu.

In some restaurants, the QR code brings you to a page where you browse the menu, select your items online, then brings you to a page to pay for your order using Googlepay or credit card. The human interaction occurs when they bring you to your seat and when they bring your order to you.

Show threadjaduncanApr 11, 2023

@baratunde You can voluntarily choose to go to a URL, no typing. It saves people time doing something they already wanted to do, with kit they already have. Effective, financially/disability accessible, quicker.

Unlike, say, the metaverse.

Show threadEric DannewitzApr 11, 2023
@baratunde clubhouse was so fucking stupid.
Show threadbettybarcode (she/her) 🚲Apr 11, 2023
@baratunde
QR codes are great, especially for certain olds who will always struggle with typing an address into a browser.
Show threadBaratundeApr 11, 2023
@bettybarcode but then you have the small PDF on small screen challenge
Show threadbettybarcode (she/her) 🚲Apr 11, 2023
@baratunde
That is true, but it isn't the fault of QR codes, it's the mismatch between PDFs & small screens, however someone opens one.
Show threadstuffing SteveApr 11, 2023
@baratunde In a way, that's bad, because training people to scan just any QR code is horrible for security.
Show threadMark IgraApr 11, 2023
@S73v3r @baratunde Yeah - just slap a QR code next to an ATM linking to "wellsfartgo.com"
Show threadjghainesApr 13, 2023
@markigra @S73v3r @baratunde I just saw a QR code sticker on a 24h fuel automat suggesting to scan it to pay. I used the card reader instead.
Show threadIsaac Planas-SitjàApr 12, 2023
@baratunde yeah well... It's true they are more and more popular, but not a fan of them in restaurants & bars. It's nice for menu, so no need to print them. However, last month went to a bar, had to use QR code to order, register with FB or Google, register credit card & pay .. So, I got up and left. I go to a bar to socialize and stay away from my phone.