Speaker James Eberhardt talked about where using 2D barcode
technology makes sense and where it does not. He described the ideal scenario
is when a user is somewhere far from the convenience of a computer and they see
something of interest that features a QR Code symbol. Using their mobile device, they
would either wave their phone around or snap a picture of the code. The mobile
device decodes the symbol and invokes a call to action such as directing their
WAP browser to a URL.

For example, you see a fridge in a store that has caught
your eye. You want to learn more about it from the manufacturer's website. You
scan the QR Code using your phone. Rather than take you to the main website
where you have to navigate your way to what you want, it will take you directly
to the product details page of that fridge. In theory, you are more likely to
be enticed to buy the fridge because of how easily you were able to learn about
it at the moment you were most interested.

Outside of Canada,
barcode reading-enabled phones are common. It’s unfortunate that Canadian
carriers do not sell phones that have this technology. Some of the technologies
that exist to read QR Codes are Kaywa, Shotcode, and Semacode. Each one reads
the the same QR codes but offers differences in features as well as pricing for
developers.