Ask HN: What's been the best usage for QR code apart from restaurants menus? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: What's been the best usage for QR code apart from restaurants menus?

10 pointsleonagano30 comments

I just returned to the US after two years away. I find the QR codes for restaurant menus to be one of the worst applications. I'm at a restaurant to get offline, enjoy my dinner and socialize. The last thing I want is to start the experience using a smart phone.

I do like QR codes on WiFi routers for connecting to the WiFi quickly, and in apps to easily share credentials and links with other devices. QR codes that share contact cards would be a great addition to a business card.

Agreed on the restaurant part. I would actively avoid any restaurant that wanted me to use my phone to order.

Back in 2012 I tried the QR code on business card to download a vcard bit... it did not really garner any attention which was unfortunate. Seemed brilliant at the time. Could be I just was not an interesting individual though.

Restaurant wise it definitely is annoying when there is a QR code for a menu, another for the beer menu, and another for the specials. Even better when the printed out QR code is cut off and doesn't load correctly.

Go to Asia and you can see QR codes everywhere. Payments mostly, but in Singapore you will find it also for checking in and out of places for COVID-19 contact tracing and everyone uses it (although now Bluetooth/ tap your phone is taking over).

I use it for guests wanting my wifi - just scan this QR and you’re in without much fuss.

QR track and trace is also used here in the UK, quite effective in my opinion although with lockdown being lifted the app will be scrapped.

It may be effective, but it is yet another way we lose privacy.

also QR code for contact information sharing is big in Asia, kind of like a handy digital business card

Also fashion magazines in Asia, QR code next to teen clothing. Probably can order straight from there and the magazine gets a cut.

Appliance labels. Went to take a picture of the tiny little model number ready to type it in somewhere and found a direct link to the product page & manual.

In Australia we're using them for check-ins for COVID contact tracing. It's working pretty well.

This works well. Basically every shop has a QR code on their door/counter and when we have outbreaks of COVID we are asked to register stores via an app as we go in.

Then if someone with a positive test is in the same store/time they can ask people to isolate and get tested.

Downside is the big brother element and cops used it to catch someone which seems short sighted in keeping trust, so govt put new rules cops can't access easily.

Downloading timetables from stations. They are available in dead tree format but next to them is a QR code that takes you direct to the PDF you need which you can save to your phone.

URLs and vCard details on flyers or stationary display advertising signs

I've made a tool to back up my important files on paper using QR codes and erasure coding: https://gitlab.com/thexa4/ocrbackup

That's Datamatrix, though, isn't it?

Sorry, you're right. I switched it out.

I have been loving the QR code to pay online instead of waiting for our waiter to return, etc. I could live without the QR code for menus. It’s very easy to get sucked back into work mode when you see a slack notification, etc.

Here in Sweden they are used for mobile payments

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swish_(payment)

It’s also used for authentication, e.g. when I log in to my bank.

https://www.bankid.com/utvecklare/guider/teknisk-integration...

QR codes for downloading apps compatible with appliances (washing machine, printer, smart whatever, etc.)

I'm using QR codes and a website so staff can check the occupancy of university labs.

QR Code for more details on topic along side TV News Report.

QR Code at Cafe for WiFi Login.

QR Code for Payment Bill

It’s going to be pretty useful once those AR glasses become ubiquitous.

useful or horrific. Suddenly just glancing in a random direction could result in your being tracked, or generate pop-up ads. Amazing tech I used to look forward to like AR glasses or robot housekeepers have the potential to be very cool, but history tells us that tech is more likely to be used against us. Before you know it you've got ads plastered over everything in your life, everything within your field of view is being logged forever in an NSA data center, and the robot keeps phoning home to it's manufacturer about how often you try to get fresh with it.

Geocaching/scavenger hunts/distributed escape rooms.

wifi login

Saw it this morning. Amazing! https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27803146

TOTP secrets

And Google Authenticator generates QR codes so you can copy the TOTP secrets from your old phone to your new one.

Showing my age and ignorance: Top Of The Pops?

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