Will QR codes survive the insatiable advances of technology?

As PRNewser points out, QR Codes are popping up all over the place, and have become a popular marketing tool.

However, given narrow adoption and the fact that companies like Google are looking to other technologies such as Near Field Communications (NFC), will QR codes survive or become a fad of the times?

It's a good question and the survival of QR Codes will most likely hinge on 2 important factors.

1. Adoption & Integration: Until smartphone manufacturers bundle software that make reading these codes a core component of smart-phones, consumers are left up to their own devices to find and, in some cases, buy the software that works for them. Integration is critical to adoption, and without manufacturer adoption this will be a fad.

2. Multi-tasking: Assuming manufacturers see the opportunities of adopting the software in order to be able to read these codes, the next step for QR Codes will be able to deliver another level of scripting (auto-tasking). As they stand right now, QR Codes are very one-dimensional. They can pull up a URL or dial a number, but imagine if they could prompt several tasks to complete all within one code. For example; scanning someones QR Code on the back of their business card automatically brings up their URL, programs your address book with their information along with opening your calendar to see when you might be free for a follow up meeting with them.

If QR Codes evolve to enable various levels of multi-tasking and smartphone manufacturers see the value of building this into core software, then QR Codes may be in business for the long haul.

Will QR Codes Follow in the Flip Cam’s Footsteps?

QR codes dead?

The Majority Rules: QR Codes Are Memorable

QR Codes and marketing of today

Posted via email from Jared Hendler

Is Qwiki the future of search?

Since the 'alpha' launch I have been playing around with Qwiki, and am pretty impressed overall. Given that search has not changed much since it's inception (things became really serious when Google launched in 1998 and went public in 2004), the space is really wide open for improvement from challengers of all kinds. While search was primarily focused on the best algorithm to serve up the most relevant results, Google changed that when it built a better system to analyze the relationships between websites in order to improve relevancy of those results.

Most recently, innovation around user experience has gained traction for challengers such as Microsoft who have seen fairly large gains with Bing adoption. Bing's success (outside of a huge marketing spend by Microsoft) has primarily been driven by relevancy supported UI design. Just as we are inundated with choice when walking down a supermarket isle, we need design and differentiation of packaging along with clean navigation to help point the way.  Search is no different.

Enter Qwiki. Qwiki's strategy is primarily based upon the fact that we have no time to wade through pages of information in order to piece together what is most relevant to what we are looking for. Put another way, we are lazy. To combat this, Qwiki is working on technology that can compile a relevant 'story' out of all items related to our primary search in order to deliver a succinct narrative.

Now, Qwiki is no Google, but it is not trying to be and not all searches yield results. Qwiki focuses on compiling results based upon popular searches vs. organizing the world's information all in one go...but it can get there eventually. Think of it as a Hollywood version of Wikipedia.org. A living Encyclopedia. An entertained form of Wikipedia for kids and those of us that would prefer a more animated solution to educate and entertain vs. a dry text-book delivery. It's not perfect (reminder: it is still in Alpha), but it is a great step towards evolving the space and challenging the big boys.

Posted via email from Jared Hendler

When will E-Books spell the Death of The Book Store?

It's not a question of 'will' e-books spell the death of the book store but 'when'. In Christmas of 2009, the early adopters took the dive. This past Christmas (2010) statistics show that the e-book is one of the most sought after gifts of the season and publishers are expecting January to be a big month in e-book sales as new e-book owners load up on titles.

From The New York Times: Christmas Gifts May Help E-Books Take Root

As much as the industry hates to draw parallels to the music business, the similarities are there and the speed at which the bricks and mortar businesses in music fell was startling. Unfortunately the same will happen here. Have you been into a Barnes & Noble lately? It's like walking into a large restaurant that only has a few customers lurking about.

The truth is more folks are reading on e-book devices, while those that had already been using an e-book, are reading more books. I bought into the idea myself around the time of Kindle's second device. The first Kindle version being too clunky and I was still holding onto the quaint idea of turning physical pages and telling people how I loved the smell of paper...I'm not sure what I was thinking at the time. Once you dive in, the benefits are endless:

1. Never having to lug around more than 'one' light 'book'.

2. Not having to decide which book to take on a trip as you can simply take them all.

3. The ability to easily find any phrase or paragraph across all of your books in an instant when the moment of sharing inspires you.

4. Being able to highlight or save searcheable notes across all of your titles.

5. Having access to a clipping file of those highlights and notes on your PC in order to be able to use them for personal research or studying.

6. See what others who have read the same book find interesting.

7. Sharing what inspires you with your family and friends on Facebook directly from the e-book...

8. Being able to browse and purchase books on the go without having to visit a bookstore.

...the list goes on.

Convenience is not the only good news. This may very well spell the rebirth of the small, local bookstore. Not for fiction or non-fiction reading, but for art books, photography, or kids pop-up and craft books. I suspect these have a way to go before they become digitized or before we are ready to give them up all together. As Tower Records crumbled, think of the rebirth of the record store, for those who still love Vinyl. I put the large stores survival at end of 2012 on the outside.

We need to remember that technology advancements used to move more slowly, giving us time to adapt with major changes coming only once or twice in every generation. This is no longer true with major shifts happening every 3-5 years, with the pace of change increasing all the time. The Toffler's had it right with 'Future Shock', only they were a bit early. The irony of it all is that their title is not yet available as an e-book.

Posted via email from Jared Hendler

The Gift of a Personal .com.

This holiday season, give yourself the gift of securing your own personal .com address. "Now why would I need that?" you ask, "...especially when I have my own Facebook and LinkedIn profiles???". It's a great questions - but think about it...do you want Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Tumblr or any one of these singularly focused networks to define who you are, especially when your own personal expression has to conform to their template? Granted, some give you more flexibility than others, but regardless, any one of these profiles by themselves misrepresent us as a whole. It really does make sense for every single one of us to have a destination URL. An easy to find 101 on us. One that jumps to the top of search queries, saving folks from having to gather info from all of your online profiles - assuming they can even find them. About.me and Flavors.me do just that. A recent review gives About.me the more favorable review, but you can be sure that added features are on the way for Flavors. About.me wins the taste test over its profile page competitor Flavors.me http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/2010/11/17/about-me-wins-the-taste-test-ove... Originally a sceptic, despite the fact that I have had my own site up at www.jaredhendler.com for many years now, @agreenberg (http://twitter.com/agreenberg) convinced me that this tactic is not just for us geeks in the 'tech' industry. Overall, this is a simple idea that I'm betting really takes off. So, take control of your own personal brand and give yourself the gift of a personal URL before the land grab for names begin. It will be the gift that keeps on giving.

Posted via email from Jared Hendler

Is Google falling behind in search as it gets ambushed by Facebook and Microsoft?

They have the best algorithm, many of us have made money on their stock on multiple occasions throughout the years, they truly want to make a difference in the world, and they aren't evil - but is the darling of search about to get it's ass kicked?

Social relevancy isn't everything but it sure counts for a lot these days as we struggle through pages of irrelevant search results. As Microsoft's Bing partners with Facebook to deliver a simple and elegant social search solution it becomes clear that we could all use a little help from our friends. I've even started using Ping on iTunes with suprising results.

Now the #2 and fastest growing search engine (Bing) partners with the #1 in social networking to deliver what may end up being the most powerful combination in search. Facebook already counts for more click-throughs than Google when it comes to media links and you can bet that Microsoft is betting that the same strategy will work for them too. The ability to 'Like' a link as well as share or email search finds directly with your friends on Facebook is a huge plus. Zuckerberg was very accurate when he pointed out this morning during the press conference that search UI has not changed in years and Bing has made great strides in evolving this.

Now, I don't like to see anyone fail, and like everyone else, I am a BIG Google fan.  However this is sure to be a big wakeup call for Google to get their Buzz on...and fast.

Microsoft stock is starting to look a whole lot more interesting.

For details on the features that are launching take a look at the links below.

The Bing Social Layer

Social Layer Features

Posted via email from Jared Hendler

What's the Gap's real story behind their new logo?

In case you have not seen it, Gap's debut of a new logo created much controversy over the past few days, with Gap coming out to say that not only are they open to suggestions but that this is a part of a new crowdsourcing project. I don't buy it. It feels more like an ill-conceived excuse to not stand by their marketing partner and their own convictions in the face of controversy.

By not standing behind their newly created mark, the company shows their weakness in direction. Gap needs to get back to delivering an innovative product and simple American storytelling. Something American Apparel and their CEO Dov Charney (a Canadian to boot!) stole right out from under their noses.

What do you think?

See the FastCompany story, poorly conceived PR stunt along with logo samples.

Posted via email from Jared Hendler

Social media - the new code of conduct is ultimately our savior.

As we look to  build our own personal brands, we have quickly realized the danger of full transparency - especially without the likes of some very personalized privacy settings. With many an HR department screening candidates via Twitter and FB, social discrepancy is becoming more the norm than not. You could even argue that this modern day 'skin' replicates the table manners of yore. Just as socially accepted etiquette hid behind a wide brimmed fedora or classically trained table manners, we are now fast-realizing that a code of social conduct is not only re-emerging, but, after a period of balls-to-the-wall, no-holds-barred-t-&-a-in-your-face transparency, is actually welcomed.

As the social web continues to press our comfort levels, lets not be surprised that this code of conduct is what saves our society...helps us save face and at it's very core helps uphold the civility that ultimately holds our civilization together.

As an aside, it's funny how this personally means that we need to watch what we post, but for companies or brands we demand full transparency.

Posted via email from Jared Hendler