microsoft develops color barcode

[[XC] leviathan18]

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=6922

well this is something i dont get why it should change but at least looks cool

[nn_step]

looks like a mini gay pride parade for a bad game

[DilTech]

Viva Pinata did appear a bit "fruity", so I guess it makes sense NN.

[Kanten]

For the consumer, such features could be such as product versioning, ratings identification, parental control, product availability, special releases, contests, pricing and promotions.

Call me ignorant, but isn't that stuff already there?

[7he ]-[0rr0r]

I'll tell you why ms would do this so it can partner with scanner makers and take a cut of every color scanner sold to the stores. call me cynical... please I like it.

[RaZz!]

Call me ignorant, but isn't that stuff already there?

QFT.

what's the point of inventing such barcodes if we're already successfully using the current barcodes for ages without any issues?!

[Revv23]

i think the idea is for a smaller barcode that allows more info to be stored on it, also, i would think this would make it harder to make your own false barcodes...

nifty idea imo, rather then haveing the data about a code on your server, you can put the data on the code itself.

[Order]

looks like a mini gay pride parade for a bad game
LMAO. Hang on to your T-Cells, everyone.

[frankR]

It's a 2D color barcode, in theory you can encode more data on one. A traditional barcode uses a linear sensor to read the barcode. A 2D color barcode uses a color 2D sensor.

A holographic barcode would be interesting. You could probably encode gigabytes, perhaps terabytes of data on such a barcode. Download an entire HD movie just by snapping a picture of a barcode.

[red]

What happens if it stains?

[Revv23]

^ i imagine the same thing that happens to a normal barcode when it fades or stains.

[Chewbenator]

Why not just RFDs?

[XS Janus]

The point is - now everybody will have to buy new barcode gear and that means reaching into our pckets and give some back.

[mr_knowitall15]

Hmm, from a graphic design standpoint, i hate it! If codes like that were to go on boxes and/or packaging, it could (probably Would) Ruin the color scheme that the designer was going for. As opposed to a nice, neutral black and white barcode.
Why change it anyway? Goes back to the old "If it aint broke, dont fix it" :stick:

[perkam]

looks like a mini gay pride parade for a bad gameCan't believe I'm doing this :p

QFT

Perkam

[m0da]

Right, what if it stains? Colors will fade into different colors.
Black fades to gray, but is still picked up as non-white by the sensor. How will this work for faded color?

[Daveb2012]

RF will take over before this.. Imagine companies being able to have/take real time inventory.

[Stuperman]

I think this is so that more information can be stored in the Barcodes, and so that they can serve other purposes (nintendo e-card reader anyone?). Not so much for inventory purposes.

[xenolith]

This is not at all designed to replace the B&W bar-codes used at the checkout lines. It's designed to supplement additional information about the product.

I can see how this could become handy for the consumer. You see a product on the shelf your interested in, you scan it with your cell-phone, up pops a web-page for the product.

Finally MS comes up with something useful for the consumer.