Why are you still bashing the CueCat? Yes, it was ugly, and yes they messed up the marketing, but it created the QR codes we see today. Sometimes, things are before their time and they get mocked unfairly for it. For example, Nikola Tesla demonstrated the first remote controlled device(a boat) in 1898. He was mocked for wasting his time with a toy. So I understand it's fun to have a go at the CueCat, but it was just an idea that was before it's time.
What does the CueCat have to do with QR codes? I've worked with phone code-scanning extensively in the past and the technology behind a dedicated 1D barcode scanner vs. a 2D code scanner (particularly working with consumer-level optics like mobile phones) are completely different.
A quick glance at Wikipedia shows that the QR spec was laid down long before CueCat even existed, and the initial technology was based on parts tracking in industry, not consumer usage.
It should also be pointed out that still nobody uses general-purpose QR codes. As a boarding pass? Sure. As a concert ticket? Sure. But when's the last time someone eagerly whipped out their phone to scan a QR code in a magazine ad?
Near nobody in America uses general purpose QR codes. In other countries they're pasted on nearly everything. Hell, I've seen them on TV before. Hold your phone up to the screen to scan.
But as you say, it likely has little to do with the CueCat.
You're arguing against a strawman, most of the comments here have been positive and the article even says: But is a loss really a loss? The important aspect of this 99-cent promotion is the value of the increased traffic and awareness. It has new products to promote, Cloud Drive and Cloud Player...
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So they acquired a half millon customers for, ummm, $6.50 each.....
.... and they got a TON of press worth millions.
.... and the word of mouth has been staggering.
.... and they could do this every week for a year and still not lose as much money as was invested in the CueCate.
Move on peoples.... nothing to see here but common sense.
Why are you still bashing the CueCat? Yes, it was ugly, and yes they messed up the marketing, but it created the QR codes we see today. Sometimes, things are before their time and they get mocked unfairly for it. For example, Nikola Tesla demonstrated the first remote controlled device(a boat) in 1898. He was mocked for wasting his time with a toy. So I understand it's fun to have a go at the CueCat, but it was just an idea that was before it's time.
What does the CueCat have to do with QR codes? I've worked with phone code-scanning extensively in the past and the technology behind a dedicated 1D barcode scanner vs. a 2D code scanner (particularly working with consumer-level optics like mobile phones) are completely different.
A quick glance at Wikipedia shows that the QR spec was laid down long before CueCat even existed, and the initial technology was based on parts tracking in industry, not consumer usage.
It should also be pointed out that still nobody uses general-purpose QR codes. As a boarding pass? Sure. As a concert ticket? Sure. But when's the last time someone eagerly whipped out their phone to scan a QR code in a magazine ad?
Near nobody in America uses general purpose QR codes. In other countries they're pasted on nearly everything. Hell, I've seen them on TV before. Hold your phone up to the screen to scan.
But as you say, it likely has little to do with the CueCat.
Dave Mathews spoke about the CueCat IP on Jason's show recently and he said it's the CueCat patents that are behind modern QR code software. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8Tczfk1saQ&feature=playe...
scvngr? And there seemed to be a fair number of QR codes on several subway systems I've used.
You're arguing against a strawman, most of the comments here have been positive and the article even says: But is a loss really a loss? The important aspect of this 99-cent promotion is the value of the increased traffic and awareness. It has new products to promote, Cloud Drive and Cloud Player...
Even John Gruber has been positive on the promotion: http://daringfireball.net/linked/2011/05/28/gaga-amazon