Comments on: Mytago: A Real/Online World Bridge http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/ Startup and Technology News Fri, 09 Jan 2009 08:26:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Keep Your Fridge Stocked with Ikan http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-1473283 Keep Your Fridge Stocked with Ikan Fri, 29 Jun 2007 21:05:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-1473283 [...] are a lot of other startups that are doing intelligent things with bar code scanning, such as MyTago or Delicious Monster. MyTago and services like it use special bar codes for mobile phones called QR [...] [...] are a lot of other startups that are doing intelligent things with bar code scanning, such as MyTago or Delicious Monster. MyTago and services like it use special bar codes for mobile phones called QR [...]

]]> By: StrategyCore http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-661503 StrategyCore Fri, 05 Jan 2007 05:50:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-661503 The key is to connect precise databases of products and services (the physical world) information as it relates to each barcode (irrespective of which code is used)! That then allows for more precise product search, comparison shopping, and product publishing functionality using one's mobile handset. It might be said that whichever code has this built in precision has a competitive advantage in making its code technology the global standard. The key is to connect precise databases of products and services (the physical world) information as it relates to each barcode (irrespective of which code is used)! That then allows for more precise product search, comparison shopping, and product publishing functionality using one’s mobile handset. It might be said that whichever code has this built in precision has a competitive advantage in making its code technology the global standard.

]]> By: Tom http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-209529 Tom Wed, 20 Sep 2006 20:47:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-209529 Is mytago.com a winner. YES! Physical world applications are getting alot of attention right now. I will agree that it is not going to happen over night but this is a very viable solution. If i can simple take a picture of the tag and whola! That interests me. I dont have to open my web browser, read the tag for the address, make sure it right cause if its not I would probly just walk away. Another thing is about building behavior. If you have just one interface, one process, etc for the majority of your products... Thats a winner. I think you will see some very interesting applications coming in the mobile space... some will work... some will be duds. but mobile is upon us! p.s. Carriers are going to be a huge factor in how quickly adoption occurs because currently their approach seems motivated by greed. Is mytago.com a winner. YES! Physical world applications are getting alot of attention right now. I will agree that it is not going to happen over night but this is a very viable solution.

If i can simple take a picture of the tag and whola! That interests me. I dont have to open my web browser, read the tag for the address, make sure it right cause if its not I would probly just walk away.

Another thing is about building behavior. If you have just one interface, one process, etc for the majority of your products… Thats a winner.

I think you will see some very interesting applications coming in the mobile space… some will work… some will be duds. but mobile is upon us!

p.s. Carriers are going to be a huge factor in how quickly adoption occurs because currently their approach seems motivated by greed.

]]> By: Library clips :: WINKsite your mobile world :: June :: 2006 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-62011 Library clips :: WINKsite your mobile world :: June :: 2006 Sat, 03 Jun 2006 07:30:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-62011 [...] There’s loads…statistics, geo-location, various bar codes, a button to see what your mobile blog looks like (check it out below), all your channels (eg. blog, announcements, etc) have feeds…you can even generate code to make re-syndication box. Since some channels are similar to blogging, or even the folder feature, you could use this as a side blog. [...] [...] There’s loads…statistics, geo-location, various bar codes, a button to see what your mobile blog looks like (check it out below), all your channels (eg. blog, announcements, etc) have feeds…you can even generate code to make re-syndication box. Since some channels are similar to blogging, or even the folder feature, you could use this as a side blog. [...]

]]> By: from the inside, looking in » Camera phones and usage in Japan http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-59661 from the inside, looking in » Camera phones and usage in Japan Thu, 01 Jun 2006 03:50:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-59661 [...] Techcrunch featured MyTago, a barcode initiative, on 5/20, and Michael Arrington was sceptical. If he saw how widely adopted QR codes are, he might be in for a suprise. It is probably critical for the success of any such scheme to have pre-installed barcode reader capability. Only when many phones had this feature preinstalled (starting around 2003) did QR codes start taking off, and now with virtually all phones having cameras, QR codes have momentum as a marketing device connecting the real and on-line worlds. [...] [...] Techcrunch featured MyTago, a barcode initiative, on 5/20, and Michael Arrington was sceptical. If he saw how widely adopted QR codes are, he might be in for a suprise. It is probably critical for the success of any such scheme to have pre-installed barcode reader capability. Only when many phones had this feature preinstalled (starting around 2003) did QR codes start taking off, and now with virtually all phones having cameras, QR codes have momentum as a marketing device connecting the real and on-line worlds. [...]

]]> By: IT|Redux » Connecting Offline and Online Worlds http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-51977 IT|Redux » Connecting Offline and Online Worlds Tue, 23 May 2006 21:23:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-51977 [...] Last month, I wrote about the beauty of convergence, focusing on scanR and the ultra-cool TomTom NAVIGATOR 5. Today, another example of convergence at play crossed my radar screen, thanks to TechCrunch: Mytago. [...] [...] Last month, I wrote about the beauty of convergence, focusing on scanR and the ultra-cool TomTom NAVIGATOR 5. Today, another example of convergence at play crossed my radar screen, thanks to TechCrunch: Mytago. [...]

]]> By: dlethe01 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-51718 dlethe01 Tue, 23 May 2006 15:36:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-51718 Jeff, What do you think about Ms. Barbara's comments? http://www.littlespringsdesign.com/blog/2006/04/25/comparison-shopping-with-mobile-phones/#comments Ms. Barbara says: "I have to make a few notes about the business, before I can comment on the design. First, Neomedia claims it holds the patent for scanning a bar code and using it to connect to the Internet (or something like that). Thus, they either have licensed to ScanBuy, or will end up sueing ScanBuy at a later time. I wonder about the business sense of the former option for a small relatively unknown company licensing to another, so I assume that we have a pending lawsuit - that Neomedia will intiate once ScanBuy gets significant leverage. On the other hand, Neomedia has been acquiring a lot of companies recently. Merging companies takes a lot more than simply signing a document, particularly when you want to combine technologies, products, and practice in a way that generates the oft-cited “synergies”. This makes me think that life inside Neomedia is at best disorganized right now, so they won’t be able to do much more than maintain status quo while they figure things out - and that is likely to take them mostly out of the innovation picture for the next year or so. Of course, next year we may start seeing very interesting things. From a user experience perspective, ScanBuy looks pretty interesting. They have more visible products. It appears (but I have no proof) that their technology will work slightly better. They have a broader variety of applications, and can thus do more with the same bar code - instead of one company owning the bar code, ScanBuy uses the bar code scanning simply as text input. For example, the “Your Pet” game requires you to “feed” your pet by scanning products. Silly, but similar to several successful iMode applications. PaperClick, on the other hand, has one mapping for a particular bar code. This moves all the intelligence to the server. If both companies had presence on a single device, PaperClick would be seen as advertising, whereas ScanBuy would be more focused on what the user wanted to do. The suite of ScanBuy applications would provide more options, but also more complexity. " Jeff,

What do you think about Ms. Barbara’s comments?
http://www.littlespringsdesign...../#comments

Ms. Barbara says:
“I have to make a few notes about the business, before I can comment on the design. First, Neomedia claims it holds the patent for scanning a bar code and using it to connect to the Internet (or something like that). Thus, they either have licensed to ScanBuy, or will end up sueing ScanBuy at a later time. I wonder about the business sense of the former option for a small relatively unknown company licensing to another, so I assume that we have a pending lawsuit - that Neomedia will intiate once ScanBuy gets significant leverage.

On the other hand, Neomedia has been acquiring a lot of companies recently. Merging companies takes a lot more than simply signing a document, particularly when you want to combine technologies, products, and practice in a way that generates the oft-cited “synergies”. This makes me think that life inside Neomedia is at best disorganized right now, so they won’t be able to do much more than maintain status quo while they figure things out - and that is likely to take them mostly out of the innovation picture for the next year or so. Of course, next year we may start seeing very interesting things.

From a user experience perspective, ScanBuy looks pretty interesting. They have more visible products. It appears (but I have no proof) that their technology will work slightly better. They have a broader variety of applications, and can thus do more with the same bar code - instead of one company owning the bar code, ScanBuy uses the bar code scanning simply as text input. For example, the “Your Pet” game requires you to “feed” your pet by scanning products. Silly, but similar to several successful iMode applications. PaperClick, on the other hand, has one mapping for a particular bar code. This moves all the intelligence to the server.

If both companies had presence on a single device, PaperClick would be seen as advertising, whereas ScanBuy would be more focused on what the user wanted to do. The suite of ScanBuy applications would provide more options, but also more complexity. “

]]> By: Lars http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-51248 Lars Tue, 23 May 2006 05:58:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-51248 Jim: AFAIK there is no special harware, other than the camera, required. The QR code reader is a SW app. (Java or brew) that was freely available to download for years before the Jpn. telcos started shipping their handsets, in 2003, with that function pre-installed. Jim:

AFAIK there is no special harware, other than the camera, required.

The QR code reader is a SW app. (Java or brew) that was freely available to download for years before the Jpn. telcos started shipping their handsets, in 2003, with that function pre-installed.

]]> By: strum http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-51214 strum Tue, 23 May 2006 04:41:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-51214 Even I am working on a cosmetics reviewing startup website, I have spent weeks studying the QR code and Chinese stanards. It is clear that the Wireless + Internet will be a huge market in China, and the Label science can be a good entry. For years, this techonolgy used in Japan, Korea, Taiwan. It connect the online information, Portable termials, and physical items/stores together. However, the technolgy will not be a problem in China, but the marketing and operation would be hard. Even I am working on a cosmetics reviewing startup website, I have spent weeks studying the QR code and Chinese stanards. It is clear that the Wireless + Internet will be a huge market in China, and the Label science can be a good entry.
For years, this techonolgy used in Japan, Korea, Taiwan. It connect the online information, Portable termials, and physical items/stores together.
However, the technolgy will not be a problem in China, but the marketing and operation would be hard.

]]> By: Streetstylz http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-51129 Streetstylz Tue, 23 May 2006 01:18:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-51129 NeoMedia patented the technology behind camera phone barcode scanning a decade ago and they are in current litigation with ScanBuy, who saw their copyright infringement charges against NeoMedia dissmissed last year. Currently NeoMedia's Patent Infringement suit against ScanBuy remains pending and will undoubtably be upheld later this year. NeoMedia has thus far won copyright infringement cases brought against Virgin Entertainment, LScan, and AirClick. ScanBuy http://www.neom.com/press_releases/2005/20051019.jsp LScan http://www.neom.com/press_releases/2005/20051019.jsp Virgin http://neom.com/press_releases/2005/20050629.jsp AirClick http://neom.com/press_releases/2005/20050712.jsp NeoMedia ... Respek !!! NeoMedia patented the technology behind camera phone barcode scanning a decade ago and they are in current litigation with ScanBuy, who saw their copyright infringement charges against NeoMedia dissmissed last year. Currently NeoMedia’s Patent Infringement suit against ScanBuy remains pending and will undoubtably be upheld later this year.

NeoMedia has thus far won copyright infringement cases brought against Virgin Entertainment, LScan, and AirClick.

ScanBuy
http://www.neom.com/press_rele.....051019.jsp

LScan
http://www.neom.com/press_rele.....051019.jsp

Virgin
http://neom.com/press_releases/2005/20050629.jsp

AirClick
http://neom.com/press_releases/2005/20050712.jsp

NeoMedia … Respek !!!

]]> By: Jeff http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-51000 Jeff Mon, 22 May 2006 20:14:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-51000 The one thing that has not been brought up here is that NeoMedia Technologies (Parent to www.paperclick.com) owns the patents and IP to linking real world barcodes to the internet. I worked for NeoMedia back in 2000-2001... these guys are the toll booth than anyone getting into the barcode-to-net space will need to pay (the CueCat parent company licensed the technology from NeoMedia for tens of millions - before they took the dive). They have already pursued and won courty cases policing their IP. NeoMedia is making a strong play for this space by partnering by acquiring players in the space and building JV's with agencies that represent big brands with an apetite for new ways to reach people - the real fight is for pocket space here folks, not desktop space. I expect these two companies will eventually cross paths. The one thing that has not been brought up here is that NeoMedia Technologies (Parent to http://www.paperclick.com) owns the patents and IP to linking real world barcodes to the internet. I worked for NeoMedia back in 2000-2001… these guys are the toll booth than anyone getting into the barcode-to-net space will need to pay (the CueCat parent company licensed the technology from NeoMedia for tens of millions - before they took the dive). They have already pursued and won courty cases policing their IP.

NeoMedia is making a strong play for this space by partnering by acquiring players in the space and building JV’s with agencies that represent big brands with an apetite for new ways to reach people - the real fight is for pocket space here folks, not desktop space. I expect these two companies will eventually cross paths.

]]> By: Luis http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50893 Luis Mon, 22 May 2006 16:40:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50893 I will make a bet with anyone that these guys raise at least $1MM on this obsolete and useless app. I will make a bet with anyone that these guys raise at least $1MM on this obsolete and useless app.

]]> By: Jeremy Pepper http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50886 Jeremy Pepper Mon, 22 May 2006 16:19:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50886 ::Cough:: Been there done that with the Xenote iTag - Tag everything!! and the CueCat. ::Cough:: And, well, isn't Mozes and Qtag trying the same thing as well? ::Cough:: Been there done that with the Xenote iTag - Tag everything!! and the CueCat. ::Cough::

And, well, isn’t Mozes and Qtag trying the same thing as well?

]]> By: Jim Levinger http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50823 Jim Levinger Mon, 22 May 2006 12:55:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50823 Having just signed up to try out the Mytago service I found that this application is very limited. Right now one is supposed to take a picture of a code then transfer it to you PC and then upload it to the MyTago website. This seems like quite a hassle rather than writing it down. This does not promote simplicity as some folks had claimed. If one is using a computer with a Keyboard, a URL is satisfactory. However, with cell phones there is a need for code scanning capabilities using a camera phone. Some folks above have suggested industrial code formats such as QR and data matrix. However those codes are designed for dedicated hardware not standard camera phones. Also the supported applications are limited. I encourage people to check out www.ConnexTo.com where you can create mCodes. This site is designed for standard camera phones and supports not only URLs but also SMS, Phone numbers, and contact information. Having just signed up to try out the Mytago service I found that this application is very limited. Right now one is supposed to take a picture of a code then transfer it to you PC and then upload it to the MyTago website. This seems like quite a hassle rather than writing it down. This does not promote simplicity as some folks had claimed.

If one is using a computer with a Keyboard, a URL is satisfactory. However, with cell phones there is a need for code scanning capabilities using a camera phone.

Some folks above have suggested industrial code formats such as QR and data matrix. However those codes are designed for dedicated hardware not standard camera phones. Also the supported applications are limited.

I encourage people to check out http://www.ConnexTo.com where you can create mCodes. This site is designed for standard camera phones and supports not only URLs but also SMS, Phone numbers, and contact information.

]]> By: GRex http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50589 GRex Mon, 22 May 2006 08:06:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50589 You obviously underestimated the power of simplicity. When we have reach an age of information and drama overload, even reducing one click to a task is good enough a selling point. A scannable tag simply means taking away the relevance of a physical URL. The truth is URL is only meaningful to computers, humans are just putting up with it coz we have to. If I see an ad on a bus passing by and I'd like to visit the site, I'd love to be able to just take my phone, aim, click and reach the site. I hate to have any URL getting in the way in the process. You obviously underestimated the power of simplicity. When we have reach an age of information and drama overload, even reducing one click to a task is good enough a selling point. A scannable tag simply means taking away the relevance of a physical URL. The truth is URL is only meaningful to computers, humans are just putting up with it coz we have to. If I see an ad on a bus passing by and I’d like to visit the site, I’d love to be able to just take my phone, aim, click and reach the site. I hate to have any URL getting in the way in the process.

]]> By: ivan http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50557 ivan Mon, 22 May 2006 06:22:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50557 Reading through the site and the comments here, I still don't get it. How are scannable tags better than just writing down (or taking a picture of) an URL? Reading through the site and the comments here, I still don’t get it. How are scannable tags better than just writing down (or taking a picture of) an URL?

]]> By: Philippe Tregon http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50546 Philippe Tregon Mon, 22 May 2006 06:07:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50546 After reading all the comments from other readers, i realize that their analysis is blinded by their ignorance of the real business world. I am a retailer and restaurant owner, and i see real business opportunities (for both businesses and consumers), in implementing this technology in the future... I am working on a new application that would consider this kind of real world capability... After reading all the comments from other readers, i realize that their analysis is blinded by their ignorance of the real business world.
I am a retailer and restaurant owner, and i see real business opportunities (for both businesses and consumers), in implementing this technology in the future…
I am working on a new application that would consider this kind of real world capability…

]]> By: Lars http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50508 Lars Mon, 22 May 2006 03:57:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50508 Hi All: As Mark and others have pointed out B&W QR codes are 'everywhere' here over for the last 4 years.. anyone wanna see the Color-Zip evolution? We shot this demo. video at their Japan office May 2005: http://www.wirelesswatch.jp/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1469 Also had presentation at Mobile Monday Tokyo (.ppt available free online) on April 18th 2005: http://www.mobilemonday.jp/?p=2 Cheers! Hi All:

As Mark and others have pointed out B&W QR codes are ‘everywhere’ here over for the last 4 years.. anyone wanna see the Color-Zip evolution?

We shot this demo. video at their Japan office May 2005:
http://www.wirelesswatch.jp/mo.....p;sid=1469

Also had presentation at Mobile Monday Tokyo (.ppt available free online) on April 18th 2005:
http://www.mobilemonday.jp/?p=2

Cheers!

]]> By: fukumimi http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50506 fukumimi Mon, 22 May 2006 03:49:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50506 As previous comments have noted, QR codes have been accepted by Japanese mainstream mobile phone users (and as importantly, by handset vendors) as a handy way to get data onto a phone. Lots of real world applications are already here. Posters, print advertising, etc. For most users, entering a URL takes a significantly larger effort than taking a photo of a 2D barcode or similar. At the current stage of mobile phone development, I think a key factor is adoption by handset manufacturers. A wide base of pre-installed software is pretty much critical. The (business) problem with QR codes is that the system is open (Denso-Wave owns the patents but does not exercise any commerical rights), and therefore anyone can use it. Any alternative system vendor attempting to make money needs to have a significant added value. One of the benefits of QR codes (the amount of data which can be inserted) is also potentially a weakness which can be exploited by new entrants. The amount of data which needs to be put into a QR code (even a Micro QR code) means that the barcode is a intricate 2D image which requires a decent amount of camera resolution to be read. A previous comment has highlighted one potential solution, Korea's Colorzip. This is a 2D 4-colour coding format, and because each position can express any of 16 bits compared to QR code's 2 bits, the required code can be simpler. Japanese broadcasters TBS and Fuji (and Dentsu.com, the VC arm of Dentsu, Japan's largest ad agency. Disclosure: Our firm is also an investor) are investors in Colorzip Japan because their test have shown that QR codes are were not suitable for display on a TV screen (a useable QR code on the screen takes up too much space - display resolution issues are no doubt a factor), whereas Colorzip codes are require less space to be sucessfully implemented. Colorzip also claims to allow more flexibility in visual design. Colorzip has been going in Korea since before the last World Cup, where its code where featured on tickets. Colorzip and others players are not going to displace QR code based systems completely (mainly because QR code is free) but a commercial alternative does have its merits in certain applications. As previous comments have noted, QR codes have been accepted by Japanese mainstream mobile phone users (and as importantly, by handset vendors) as a handy way to get data onto a phone. Lots of real world applications are already here. Posters, print advertising, etc. For most users, entering a URL takes a significantly larger effort than taking a photo of a 2D barcode or similar.

At the current stage of mobile phone development, I think a key factor is adoption by handset manufacturers. A wide base of pre-installed software is pretty much critical.

The (business) problem with QR codes is that the system is open (Denso-Wave owns the patents but does not exercise any commerical rights), and therefore anyone can use it.

Any alternative system vendor attempting to make money needs to have a significant added value.

One of the benefits of QR codes (the amount of data which can be inserted) is also potentially a weakness which can be exploited by new entrants. The amount of data which needs to be put into a QR code (even a Micro QR code) means that the barcode is a intricate 2D image which requires a decent amount of camera resolution to be read.

A previous comment has highlighted one potential solution, Korea’s Colorzip. This is a 2D 4-colour coding format, and because each position can express any of 16 bits compared to QR code’s 2 bits, the required code can be simpler. Japanese broadcasters TBS and Fuji (and Dentsu.com, the VC arm of Dentsu, Japan’s largest ad agency. Disclosure: Our firm is also an investor) are investors in Colorzip Japan because their test have shown that QR codes are were not suitable for display on a TV screen (a useable QR code on the screen takes up too much space - display resolution issues are no doubt a factor), whereas Colorzip codes are require less space to be sucessfully implemented. Colorzip also claims to allow more flexibility in visual design. Colorzip has been going in Korea since before the last World Cup, where its code where featured on tickets.

Colorzip and others players are not going to displace QR code based systems completely (mainly because QR code is free) but a commercial alternative does have its merits in certain applications.

]]> By: StudioGuy http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50505 StudioGuy Mon, 22 May 2006 03:45:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50505 The killer barcode app is allowing consumers to use their mobile phone to respond to a call-to-action on an advertisement. Europeans are used to purchasing content via premium SMS like this: "Text RING1 to 44444 to buy Candy Shop". The next best thing is to snap a barcode. Paperclick rolled out "QR code style" service in Europe and is looking to do the same in the US. They spent the R&D to create an app that works on many, many devices. However, they still have a "chicken-and-egg" problem. Carriers won't support them until there people publish codes and people won't publish codes until there is an audience to respond to them. Check out paperclick here: http://paperclick.com The killer barcode app is allowing consumers to use their mobile phone to respond to a call-to-action on an advertisement. Europeans are used to purchasing content via premium SMS like this: “Text RING1 to 44444 to buy Candy Shop”. The next best thing is to snap a barcode.

Paperclick rolled out “QR code style” service in Europe and is looking to do the same in the US. They spent the R&D to create an app that works on many, many devices. However, they still have a “chicken-and-egg” problem. Carriers won’t support them until there people publish codes and people won’t publish codes until there is an audience to respond to them.

Check out paperclick here:

http://paperclick.com

]]> By: Josh http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50297 Josh Sun, 21 May 2006 22:40:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50297 The first thing I thought of was Cuecat--which someone above mentioned already. It failed miserably... Obviously this is easier to use, since it requires no special hardware, but it strikes me as just as clunky and similarly silly. The first thing I thought of was Cuecat–which someone above mentioned already. It failed miserably… Obviously this is easier to use, since it requires no special hardware, but it strikes me as just as clunky and similarly silly.

]]> By: Thomas at Mytago http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50116 Thomas at Mytago Sun, 21 May 2006 20:23:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50116 Just posted this on our official blog in response to the many interesting and relevant comments about mytago: http://www.mytago.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry060521-151108 There were obvious comparisons to existing barcde systems like QR Codes and Semacode and even to cuecat which was very different (special hardware, not wireless, users can't create tags). Mytago may look similar to other bar code systems, since we also use a 2D bar code. But we differ from other systems in our usage model. We have no special requirements from the user on the mobile phone side. + Will work on any mobile phone with camera + Even without camera the 12 digit code can be used with SMS/Email + No software to install on the phone + No extra data connection charges on phone + The phone is used only as a bookmarking tool. All the user interactions fit nicely into the existing familiar web application whermework, the users are already comfortable with. + Explore the collected bookamrks on the phone at your home when you are free + Can share and discuss the bookamrks with others + No need to use the slow and feature limted browser on the phone We also makes it easy for anyone to create a new tag. All you need is your PC and printer. Not many comments about our visual branding ( the logo and color ) of the tag image, this subtle branding makes the tags more personal and differentiates from other bar code systems. And works well with our HTML badges for the tag to put on your blog or website with the same visual branding as your tag design. Just posted this on our official blog in response to the many interesting and relevant comments about mytago:

http://www.mytago.com/blog/ind.....521-151108

There were obvious comparisons to existing barcde systems like QR Codes and Semacode and even to cuecat which was very different (special hardware, not wireless, users can’t create tags).

Mytago may look similar to other bar code systems, since we also use a 2D bar code. But we differ from other systems in our usage model.

We have no special requirements from the user on the mobile phone side.

+ Will work on any mobile phone with camera
+ Even without camera the 12 digit code can be used with SMS/Email
+ No software to install on the phone
+ No extra data connection charges on phone
+ The phone is used only as a bookmarking tool.

All the user interactions fit nicely into the existing familiar web application whermework, the users are already comfortable with.

+ Explore the collected bookamrks on the phone at your home when you are free
+ Can share and discuss the bookamrks with others
+ No need to use the slow and feature limted browser on the phone

We also makes it easy for anyone to create a new tag. All you need is your PC and printer.

Not many comments about our visual branding ( the logo and color ) of the tag image, this subtle branding makes the tags more personal and differentiates from other bar code systems. And works well with our HTML badges for the tag to put on your blog or website with the same visual branding as your tag design.

]]> By: Chris Venn http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50032 Chris Venn Sun, 21 May 2006 18:05:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-50032 Notwithstanding whether or not mytago is a winner, I think at the heart of this is the collision of the physical and the metaphysical/digital world. It sets the stage for true "doing more with less" which leads to the best profit levels possible in business. I'll be watching this one! Chris Venn Notwithstanding whether or not mytago is a winner, I think at the heart of this is the collision of the physical and the metaphysical/digital world. It sets the stage for true “doing more with less” which leads to the best profit levels possible in business.

I’ll be watching this one!
Chris Venn

]]> By: Nicolas Lehuen http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-49958 Nicolas Lehuen Sun, 21 May 2006 17:23:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-49958 There is a similar concept : http://www.mobiletag.com/ A French free magazine named Newbiz is trying to launch the thing in France, putting tags everywhere, but the process is so awkward (downloading an app, taking a picture and sending it just to save a few key press does not make any sense) that they might as well just put the plain URL on the page. It might save a few cm² of page estate, too... Regards, Nicolas There is a similar concept : http://www.mobiletag.com/

A French free magazine named Newbiz is trying to launch the thing in France, putting tags everywhere, but the process is so awkward (downloading an app, taking a picture and sending it just to save a few key press does not make any sense) that they might as well just put the plain URL on the page. It might save a few cm² of page estate, too…

Regards,
Nicolas

]]> By: David Harper, WINKsite http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-49691 David Harper, WINKsite Sun, 21 May 2006 14:24:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/05/20/mytago-a-realonline-world-bridge/#comment-49691 ...and services like semapedia.org, grafedia.net, and yellowarrow.net (mentioned by others) that are enabling non-commercial bar code and SMS services care very much about bringing mobile technology down to the everday person, everyday useful level. …and services like semapedia.org, grafedia.net, and yellowarrow.net (mentioned by others) that are enabling non-commercial bar code and SMS services care very much about bringing mobile technology down to the everday person, everyday useful level.

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