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What is a QR Code?: Home

Point, Click, Connect!

Quick Response Code

Image Courtesy of inju

A Definition

A QR Code (short for "Quick Response") is a barcode that contains data that can be read by the camera of a smart phone. Most smartphones (iPhone, Android, Blackberry) come equipped with software that allows them to download a QR Code reader. Once a reader has been downloaded and installed on your smartphone,  the phone's camera acts like a scanner, scanning the barcode.

These codes, once scanned by your phone, are really powerful; they can direct your phone's browser directly to a URL (without you having to type in it), make a phone call, connect to a SMS service, initiate a chat, or simply display written text--all depending on what information has been stored within the QR code. 

Cool huh? So how can you start reading QR codes?

It's really simple.  All you need to do is download and install a QR reader onto your smartphone.  You can find many great, free QR readers online.  Here are just a small list:

KAYWA Reader

Nokia Reader

i-nigma Reader

Lynkee Reader

UpCode

QuickMark

SnapMaze

BeeTagg

NeoReader

ScanLife

MobileTag

*Be sure to check that your phone is compatible with whatever software you choose.

Once your reader has been installed, just point, click, and connect.