Posts Tagged ‘Blackberry’

You may have been hearing about a new technology called QR codes. It’s a scannable barcode of sorts that can contain all sorts of information within the code. The codes can be scanned with a number of different applications on all major smartphone platforms, to pull information to the user’s phone. Recently, the code is most often used alongside print ads to lead the user to an online deal, or a mobile app of some kind that is associated with the print media. When a user scans the code, they can either view the contact information or the text within the code, or they have the option of following a link to an application for purchase on their phone, or a regular website.

The Advantages

According to Nielsen Wire, smartphones are 25% of the U.S. mobile market, and that number continues to grow. This means that mobile technology, as well as advertising through this form of medium is only going to grow over the coming years.  The codes are small, simple, and easy to create. They are simple black and white, and can be used very easily with all forms of print media, and even online. They are free to create, and the apps that smartphones use to scan are often free so it does not cost consumers to pull information from the codes.

How to Use Them

Make sure that whoever handles your online/social media and marketing is aware of this technology and will use it. Ensure that where it’s feasible, your print ads contain a QR code to your website, or an online deal. Don’t post the code without any explanation of what it is for. Most people don’t know what they’re for, and won’t know what to do with the image itself. It doesn’t have to be fancy, in fact even a bit of text as simple as “scan this code with your smartphone to visit our website” will work. Just so your consumers know what to do with it. Be prepared to answer some simple questions about the codes and what they’re used for. Have someone on hand who is knowledgeable with the technology to answer questions, and direct people in the right path.

Some Top Apps for Barcodes

ScanLife
ScanLife has a popular barcode scanner for all the major smartphone platforms, and is free.

RedLaser
RedLaser is predominately built for the popular iPhone platform by Apple.

I have been using ReQall for almost three weeks now, and if I had to describe in a word, I would have a tough time choosing between “intuitive,” “innovative” and “efficient.” But since I don’t have to choose, I won’t.

In short, ReQall is an application available for both Blackberry and iPhone that lets you create and save reminders simply by recording your voice. ReQall then transcribes the note and syncs it to your online account at reqall.com. But wait… there’s more. ReQuall also recognizes certain commands like “buy”, “meet” and “note” and then automatically categorizes the reminder and adds it to your shopping list, calendar or notes, respectively.

ReQall has a ton of features that have made my busy days more manageable, but I’ll just quickly highlight the ones that I have found to be most useful.

Voice memos using speech-to-text recognition
I use ReQall on my iPhone and I am amazed at how accurately this app recognizes and transcribes my words. Even with an accent. Not like Google voice which continues to butcher my voice mails (this last statement was transcribed by ReQall). Check out a full list of what ReQall understands.

Location-based Memory Jogger
Have you ever stopped at the 7-Eleven to pick up a few things and then realized just is you pull into the driveway that milk was the one thing you had to get, not the beef jerky, chocolate and chips that now resting on your back seat. If you had just added milk to your ReQall shopping list and saved that 7-Eleven as one of your “places” using the GPS feature on your phone, you would not be making the u-turn to drive back to the store. ReQall recognizes when you are close to a location that you have linked to specific reminders and brings them to the forefront of the “Memory Jogger”.

Google Calendar Integration
You can sync ReQall with your Google Calendar so that any items you add memos that you add and reference a specific date or time like “Call Mom tomorrow at 9 AM,” will automatically be added to your calendar, and to-do list. ReQall syncs with Microsoft Outlook as well. The Memory Jogger can also access appointments that you already created in Google Calendar and send you reminders to your iPhone or Blackberry.

Share Your To-do Lists
If you like to delegate, ReQall lets you import your entire list of contacts so that when it’s time to share tasks you just select from your list of suckers… I mean… co-workers and trusted friends and send them an email of your demands.
Tip: To create a shared reminder, enter “ask”, “tell” or “remind” followed by a person’s name.

Daily Emailed Agenda
I’m a little embarrassed to admit that sometimes I write myself reminders then forget to look at them. So ReQall’s daily emails have been very helpful. You also have the freedom to set what time these emails arrive everyday.

As I mentioned before, there are many, many more features. Too many for me to describe, so I suggest you visit the ReQall website to learn more. One thing to note is that ReQall offers both a free and a Pro version for $2.99 per month or $24.99 per year. The iPhone app is free. Keep in mind that the two-week free trial is a Pro version, so if you decide not to keep that, you will lose some useful features. Smart move on their part because I got hooked. But, so far, it’s been worth it.

Goodbye, Sticky Notes; Hello, Reqall