With barcode scanning becoming more and more popular every day, and we were starting to hear from a growing number of non-Smartphone users who wanted in on the fun.  While we have apps that work on Java & even BREW devices, we just launched a new service that increases our reach in the US by 35% in a single day!

“Scan & Send” basically allows someone to take a normal picture of a 2D or 1D barcode, send it to us by MMS or email, we will decode it from our server and send back the correct content.  Here’s the real kicker – this works on industry standard barcodes like QR Codes, Datamatrix, EZcode, and even UPC codes with an auto-focus camera.  So, if you’re one of the 20 million people in the US that already have a standard code reader on your phone, you can just launch the app (hopefully ScanLife) to get the content is seconds.  If not, use Scan & Send!

MMS works in the US by sending the picture to 43588, and it’s available to AT&T, Verizon and Sprint – the top 3 carriers, and hopefully we will have the fourth very soon.

Not in the US?  Just send the picture to scan@scanlife.com, and we’ll send a link back by email instead.

So, you want to use standard QR Codes, but also want to reach three times more people than just Smartphones?  Here’s your answer!

2D barcodes, or QR Codes, are quickly growing in popularity to easily link physical objects to digital content.   We just released the ScanLife browser extension to make it easier than ever to create a 2D code from anywhere on the web in a one click.

Why use the extension?

The extension works for the same reason why many people use tool bars instead of actual websites – speed!  This tool makes it faster than ever to create, display and download all major 2D barcode formats (QR code, EZcode, and Datamatrix) from anywhere on the web.

Other benefits:

• Create a code right from from any URL link or image file.
• Link your codes to an existing ScanLife account so you can edit your codes at a later time, or get analytics from the scans if you have a Business account.
• Download the code in multiple formats for print or the web.
• Works on major browsers like IE, Firefox and Chrome (see links at bottom)

Possible Uses:

• Save a great photo from Facebook, Flickr, etc. right to your phone.
• Place your digital “badge” on places like your resume, email signature, t-shirts and more.  Just go to your Facebook or Twitter page and create a code.
• Quickly create a code from Google Maps to take contact information or directions to a new restaurant or store.
• For business use, you can create codes in bulk without logging into your ScanLife account. This may make it easier to create a bunch of codes in a short period of time.

Get the extension now for any browser:

Internet Explorer

Firefox

Chrome

Once you have the file installed, it should be very simple to use, but you can look at some detail instruction right here.

Let us know how would you use it…

ScanLife has released an update to its ScanLife Code Management Platform which has some great features for Business accounts.  The first and largest is that we have added the ability to generate both QR Codes and Datamatrix codes right from ScanLife.  These will be in addition to the EZcode – all of which the ScanLife app can read on any supported phone.

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Here at ScanLife, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to send or receive information from the physical world – after all that is the point of this whole thing.  See something of interest from the world around you, and use the common camera phone to quickly trigger more information.

To give our users and customers more options, we have launched a new feature called Scan & Send which allows someone without the ScanLife app to get the same information from any barcode – QR, Datamatrix, EZcode and even a UPC code if the camera has auto-focus!! This is great for people that may not have the app, but we wanted to look at the cons & pros of each method to help you decide which one to use – and maybe it’s both.

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