MSKYNET BLOG

By popular demand, we have decided to open a free beta program for a limited time.  We are allowing users to create a campaign and track an unlimited number of QR Codes.  The beta campaigns will never expire and we will be limiting our analytics engine to only show results for the first 1,000 scans per campaign.  We will soon be adding some of our more advanced features to the beta program as well.  Stay Tuned!

Links mentioned above
QR Code Campaign Tracking (BETA)

The month of December has marked a major milestone for MSKYNET.  Our QR Code Generator (QRGen) usage has well surpassed the 10,000,000 (10 Million) QR Code impressions per month.  As far as we know, this makes us one of the largest QR Code makers in the US.  There is very little data in general about adoption rates, statistics, and trends available for QR Code activity.  We plan on publishing a quarterly aggregate report on our US traffic in hopes that this can aid other developers in their efforts for QR Code development.  Our quarterly reports will be located here under our QR Code Stats page.  Please ping us if you have any suggestions for things that you would like to see.

Links mentioned above
QR Code Generator API (QRGen)
QR Code Statistics (Updated Quarterly)

With the recent launch of SPARQ Coder for Salesforce.com applications, we have been receiving a lot of requests to enable BlackBerry support for QR Codes with address book entries. To our disappointment, it appears that BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 and all the QR Code scanners available for that platform do not support any Address Book Contacts such as the MeCARD format. To work around this problem we have come up with a fairly novel solution and we are happy to announce that our QR Code Generator API (QRGen) now supports vCards that work with BlackBerry.  Using a combination of our database compression and dynamic vCard generator we not only fully support vCards for BlackBerry but we also simplify the QR Code data payload needed which is much less compared to a traditional MeCARD.  

BlackBerry VCard Sample

Links mentioned above
QR Code Generator API (QRGen)
SPARQ Coder – Salesforce AppExchange

We have recently been seeing a flurry of activity where many mobile app downloads have integrated with SPARQCodes (QR Code) using our QRGen API to allow easier app downloads from messages posted in chat groups and news forums.  We have added new pictograms that are automatically displayed if the URL within a sparqcode is pointing to an App Store.  This new functionality is also integrated with our QR Code Generator (Maestro) and we support the three most popular App Stores:  iPhone App Store, Android Market, and BlackBerry App World.

Links mentioned above
QRGen API
QR Code Generator (Maestro)
iPhone App Store
Android Market
BlackBerry App Word

FlightStats, the World leader of complete flight status information partners with MSKYNET to be the first to launch real-time flight status information using SPARQCodes (2d barcodes).  Tracking nearly 150,000 flights worldwide each day, SPARQCode technology offers a new and exciting way for FlightStats visitors to track flight status by simply taking a picture of the SPARQCode using their mobile device.  Every flight will be paired with a unique SPARQCode that stores all the information necessary for the flight status request.

To use this feature
1. Access Flightstats.com and search for your flight
2. Scan the SPARQCode on the flight details page with your mobile phone
3. View your flight status data on the go

To see how this works, view our demo SPARQCode Flight. If you need a scanner for your phone, TEXT SPARQ to 41411 (US only) or access http://m.sparqcode.com/install with your mobile device and we will redirect you to the best reader for your phone. We are very excited about our partnership with FlightStats and will continue to develop new ways to enhance the travel experience.

Sample Screenshot

About FlightStats
FlightStats is an airline, airport, and travel information service provided by Conducive Technology Corp. On their Web site at http://www.flightstats.com/, visitors can get flight status, track flights, view on-time performance ratings by flight or by airline, check for current airport delay and weather information, and much more. All services are free to site visitors and many services are available as widgets for installation on other web sites. FlightStats provides global flight status information and is the definitive source for historical airline performance data. Conducive Technology is also a leading supplier of air travel information services to travel agencies, logistics professionals, airlines, airports and industry analysts.

About MSKYNET
MSKYNET is a leading 2D optical recognition technology provider that specializes in the mobile phone space.  Our mission is to create and develop the best tools and services for 2D barcode integration.  Our core competencies include 2d barcode generation, SMS gateway mapping, url web mapping, payment authentication services, and dynamic content management services. We offer visitors the ability to generate their own SPARQCode (2d barcode) using Maestro or directly integrate with us through our QRGen API. We focus on real-world needs where our offerings allow companies to hit-the-ground running by integrating their existing infrastructure with the latest 2d barcode technology.

Links mentioned above:
FlightStats
SPARQCode Reader
Maestro
QRGen API

A leading provider of CRM solutions SCOUT has implemented a Salesforce.com offering (SPARQ Coder) that integrates our QR Code Generator API (QRGen) with Salesforce CRM applications. This free addition on the AppExchange allows Salesforce contacts, sales leads, and other personal contact information to be easily transferred from the computer screen to a mobile phone via a MeCARD QR Code.

MeCARD’s can be embedded dynamically to any existing webpage via a DHTML <IMG> tag that calls the QRGen API.  The rendering of the actual QR Code is in real-time and you gain the benefit of a dynamic barcode that is generated using the latest QR Code standard.  This simplifies the integration of any existing webpage to fully support dynamic QR Codes. QRGen is built with scalability in mind and is designed for integration with high volume sites that have lots of dynamically generated pages.

*UPDATE (1/19/2010) – We’re happy to update that we just found out this app was promoted as AppExchange App of the Week: on salesforce.com.

Links mentioned above
Scout Inc.
Salesforce.com
QR Code Generator API (QRGen)
SPARQ Coder – Salesforce AppExchange
AppExchange (App of the Week)

We have just launched HTTPS – Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) connectivity for our QR Code Generator API (QRGen).  This is a great addition to our popular API as we have received multiple requests to add this functionality in order to streamline the integration of our QR Code Generator with secure ecommerce sites and CRM applications.

Links mentioned above
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
QR Code Generator API (QRGen)

RIM recently launch its new BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 which has a built-in native QR Code scanner.  This scanner scans in video mode and also has the ability to render and scan BlackBerry PIN contact information.  We have received many requests to enable BlackBerry support so that users can create a BlackBerry PIN Contact barcode which they can embed in their business cards, website, or any other medium.  We are now launching our beta test for QRGen BlackBerry support and we have enhanced our QR Code generator Maestro (MeCARD) to enable BlackBerry PIN support as well.

Links mentioned above
BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 (Download)
QRGen API
Maestro (MeCARD)

We recently discovered an interesting use of our QR Code Generator API (QRGen) for a Firefox add-on called Easy QR code.  It is basically a simple utility that allows you to quickly create raw QR Codes in the Firefox browser.  The codes generated in the browser can be easily downloaded or saved as a file locally.  This add-on was developed by megszokot.

Links mentioned above
QRGen API
Easy QR code (Firefox add-on)
megszokot (developer of Easy QR code)

MSKYNET is announcing the use of 2D barcodes (QR Code) to easily receive CyberJoke3000™ jokes on demand with your mobile device. Using a variety of camera enabled phones, users can simply scan the 2D barcode and receive daily jokes via SMS. We are partnering with master humorist, Al Lowe (creator of the Leisure Suit Larry series), who has spent a lifetime collecting and disseminating humor from all over the world for Al Lowe’s Humor Site. We now make it easy for everyone to access these jokes via our technology & service.

The use of 2D barcodes to render data onto a mobile phone platform provides endless possibilities for businesses and individuals. Taking a barcode picture is simple, quick, and easy, while eliminating the potential for keying errors. Whether it is a Phone Number, URL, Map or secret message – we offer tools that allow you to generate your own custom 2D barcode with ease using Maestro (QR Code Generator).

We have created a compilation of Barcode Readers available for mobile phones.

Go ahead, give it a try – scan the barcode on the right and enjoy. Jokes On Us!

Links mentioned above
Al Lowe’s Humor Site
CyberJoke3000™ (Jokes On Demand)
QR Code Generator (Maestro)
Barcode Readers Software