So you’ve heard that QR codes are all the rage, but don’t know how to use/scan them. Here are some simple instructions…

1. You must first have a web-enabled, smart phone (one that can access the internet and has a camera function)

2. Go to your phone’s app store and search for “QR” or “QR readers.” Depending on your phone, there are a number of good ones. Look for the star ratings and read the reviews to decide which one is best for your phone. Some of them include…

iPhone
QR Scanner by Grip’d
QR Reader for iPhone by Tap Media

Droid

Barcode Scanner (look under App Market on your phone)

Blackberry

BeeTagg
UpCode

3. Once you download a QR reader, open up the reader and scan a QR code. Some of them work better than others, and it may take one or two tries to get the hang of it.

4. Whenever you want to scan a QR code, you will need to open the QR reader app first, otherwise you will just end up taking a picture of a QR code.

Since these apps are constantly in development, and improving all the time, please feel free to post your favorite app and the type of phone it works best with. We envision a day very soon when scanning software comes standard on all smart phones. (Just like internet browsers on desktops.) Until then, post your comments and let’s help everyone “make the jump!”