Thread: Microsoft Tag Reader beta

Well, is this really a useful app? Just a nice gimmick or a really cool idea? Well, scanning bar codes is not that new to berry users... but now MS claims to have the ultimate use for this technology. Let me quote from their site: 'Microsoft Tag instantly connects you to more information and entertainment - without typing long URLs or texting short code. Simply snap the Tag with your mobile phone, and Microsoft Tag takes you there!'

So it is all about coding URLs into nice and colourful bar codes. Could be very interesting for magazines, ads, marketing, information sharing, and more. To download the MS tag reader just point your BlackBerry browser to this link:

• Download Microsoft Tag Reader (beta)
  

I tried an earlier version of this app a few months ago, and I hope it has been greatly improved. the original would not work at all and locked the device up in such a way it needed reboot.
I would assume this version is better, but I'm not going to know for sure until later this evening when I get back from the courthouse (jury duty).
Since I have prior experience with this, I'll be more than happy to give a short synopsis on how the improvements are working (if any). Please do not consider this a "don't try it" review, only remember the phrase "caveat emptor" when using this software.
I should be able to post again around 6:00 PM pacific time if any are interested in how this was improved over the previous version and whether or not it works as claimed.
Thanks for posting this, Armin, if it works now, it should be cool.

Well, just snapping the picture above takes me to a short decoding session...and a few seconds later I end up here

So it seems to work for me somehow

Still not working correctly on my machine, could be the refresh rate on my monitor, or might be software related. I am also noticing the soft buttons are not working as expected and i actually got response from the back button instead of the on screen touch. I am not condemning this software, but it seems to not work on my device very well.
The locking up I was experiencing is apparently gone at this time. I may need to find a hard copy of a code so it doesn't have the refresh rate issue.
**to be continued**

Does this do something like Scanlife?

Yes and no. The microsoft tag reader only reads microsoft tags, which are colorful patterns which encrypt an URL into the pattern. This in turn will direct you to a website for that URL. Scanlife reads more than one type of bar code.

Has anyone been able to successfully scan anything yet. I've tried loads of stuff with not luck.
"shrugs"

Mike

ups, yes, seems that I am the only one? I even get a successful decoding of the header picture of this post!

I have to admit, I don't see a big market for this program. Scanlife, I could understand. That allows you to scan most bar codes. If this is for Microsoft items only, what is the point?

Originally Posted by wobly

I have to admit, I don't see a big market for this program. Scanlife, I could understand. That allows you to scan most bar codes. If this is for Microsoft items only, what is the point?

Well, depends on how many companies are going to use it in the future...the MS tag showcase pages give some nice examples of how it could be used, e.g. to give ppl coupons, book reviews, event showcase...

nope haven't been able to use it... I thought it would read qr codes....