What can you do with QR Code

QR code (QR = Quick Response) is a kind of commonly used 2-dimensional barcode nowadays.

This is the QR code of my blog. I'm sure you have seen other QR codes elsewhere as well.

QR code is originally created by Denso Wave (a subsidiary of Toyota) to keep track of vehicle parts along the manufacturing process. It has been around since 1994. Today, it has been internationally adopted and used for many different purposes, especially in the Advertising and Promotion sector.

What makes QR code so interesting and commonly used?

• It can store much more information (as much as several thousands characters) than the traditional 1-dimensional barcode. 
• Other than alphanumeric, it can also store binary data, which can be unicode (such as Chinese characters), image, and almost anything that can be represented in binary data. And it directly supports Japanese encoding (Kanji and Kana).
• It has small printout size compared with 1-dimensional barcode.
• It has error correction capability, and still can be read without problem even when partially dirty or damaged.
• It can be read pretty fast, and from any angle (360 degree omni-directional capability).
• Other than black-and-white, it can also be printed in multiple colours.

QR code is readable by barcode scanner which support 2-dimensional barcode. Some airlines and cinemas have installed QR code readers at their check-in point and make use of QR code in their customers' self-printed tickets.

However, what make it so popular nowadays is that, there are plenty of QR code reading apps available for smartphones including iPhone, Android Phones, Windows Mobile Phones, etc. and most of the apps are free for download and use.

QR code is also easy to generate, because there are also plenty of software and web-based generator available. One of my favourite online QR code generator is QR Stuff.

You can encode the following into QR code:

• Website URL
• YouTube Video Link
• GPS Coordinate / Google Maps Location
• Twitter Profile / Status Update
• Facebook Profile / Like
• LinkedIn Profile / Share
• FourSquare Venue
• iTunes Link (music, album, artist, app, etc.)
• Any Plain Text
• Telephone Number
• SMS Message to a number
• Email Address
• Email Message to an address
• Contact Details (VCARD)
• Calendar Event (VCALENDAR)
• Wifi Login Information for Android device
• Paypal Buy Now Link
  

Feel free to visit to the QR Stuff website and generate your own QR codes for fun and perhaps profit.

HTC rolled out Android 2.3.5 and Sense UI 3.0 update to Incredible S in Malaysia and Singapore

The OTA (Over-The-Air) Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread) together with HTC Sense UI 3.0 of HTC Incredible S smartphone has been made available to Malaysia and Singapore yesterday (29 December 2011) morning.

You can manually check for the update now, or wait for the automated update alert appear on your HTC Incredible S smartphone sooner or later.

Although this update will not cause any data or setting lost to your smartphone, it is always a wise choice to perform a backup using tools such as MyBackup (or the paid MyBackupPro) or Titanium Backup (or the paid Titanium Backup Pro) prior to the update, just in case...
After the update, you will get a new lock screen as the one in HTC EVO 3D. You can customize this lock screen in Personalize > Lock screen. The background can be either your Wallpaper, Photo Album, Friend Stream, Weather, Stocks, or Clock display. You can also assign the apps linking to the 4 quick launch icons there.

Using the phone becomes more fun with the 3D effects of HTC Sense UI 3.0. However, it is harder to get the carousel effect when fast swiping the home screen than in HTC EVO 3D.

Auspicious dates for signing contract, register for marriage, etc. in 2012

Here is the list of auspicious dates in year 2012 for signing contract, signing offer letter, register for marriage, receiving religious baptism, and other similar agreement-related activities. It is produced based on the Chinese almanac Tong Shu.

Bear in mind that although the Tong Shu is a compilation of Chinese astrology and calendaring studies gathering wisdom of thousands of years, we should use it wisely and rationally, but not be too superstitious on it.

Related articles:

• Auspicious dates for wedding/marriage in 2012
• Inauspicious dates to avoid for wedding/marriage in 2012
• Auspicious dates for renovation in 2012
• Auspicious dates for moving to new house/office in 2012
• Auspicious dates for starting new job/post/assignment in 2012
• Auspicious dates for opening business in 2012
• Auspicious dates for baby first haircut (Mundan) in 2012
• Auspicious dates for housewarming, open house, party, gathering, etc. in 2012
• Auspicious dates for marriage proposal or engagement in 2012
• Auspicious dates in 2012 for getting a baby