Google’s new iPhone Beater comes printed with a QR Code!
Engadget have got their hands on the Google Nexus One, Google’s rival to Apple’s iPhone and a nasty little stab in the back for their Android Platform partners.
Although there isn’t much detail the pictures reveal that it’s going to feature a QR Code printed on the back of the casing. I’ve been talking for years about how useful this could be and how it could lead to some really cool device brand loyalty.
Here’s how:
1) Give every handset it’s own short URL (in the same way you give it an IMEI) and print this on the casing.
2) Also give the user a couple of extra QR Code stickers (they can stick them one on their bedroom wall and another in their car for safe keeping)
3) Host a blank mobilized webpage for every handset and bookmark it within the mobiles web browser.
4) Let users visit this webpage (by snapping the QR Code or visiting the bookmark) and personalise it (like they would with a printed business card) by adding their Name, Website, Business image etc. and supporting the hosting of their VCard for downloading.
5) Enable security by setting the devices IMEI as a one time password (which needs to be changed on first visit)
6) Offer a secure “backup my phone content & contacts” application in conjunction with this URL and the new password.
Imagine now you lose your phone, it falls in a bath of water or you just want to upgrade your old phone. Simply get a new phone, capture the QR Code (by simply capturing the QR Code on your bedroom wall, off the casing of your broken/old phone), then enter your password, hey pesto you’re back up and running with all your restored content.
Imagine now you meet someone at a conference. Simply picture the QR Code on the back of their phone and a VCard is immediately stored on your mobile. No need for fiddling about with InfraRed beams, texting your VCard, or finding their bluetooth name, authorising access, setting a password etc. simply point your cameraphone at the back of their phone, snap the QR Code, visit the website and you have it all there.
Hey why just one QR Code? …how about one for business (featuring a link to your LinkedIn profile) and one for more informal social needs (featuring a link to your facebook profile)?
