Author Archives: Cory Brunsel
What is this?
This is an EZ code – which is one of the many types of 2D barcodes currently available to mobile users. The EZ code format was designed by ScanBuy and mobile solution provider. This EZ code contains a link to a special article on the topic.
What do I do?
First of all you’ll need a mobile device, equipped with camera that supports this activity. Next you’ll fall into one of 3 categories:
1) You may be lucky enough to already own a new device that comes with a built-in barcode reader, such as the Nokia N95 series. In this case you should be able to go ahead and run that application on the device and scan the above EZ code.
2) You have a device with no software application to scan the EZ code. In this case you’ll need to install the application on your mobile device. Here there are a few options to consider:
- Download / install ScanBuy’s barcode reader application.
- Download / install Kawya’s barcode reader application.
- Download / install QuickMark’s barcode reader application.
- For iPhone people – Download / install iMatrix’s iPhone barcode reader application.
- http://www.imatrix.lt
- You’ll need an unlocked iPhone
3) The last scenario is unfortunate, but does happen too often at this point. Your device is unsupported and you will not be able the test out 2D barcode scanning – sorry.
Just want to read the post? If you’re unable to successfully execute the steps above or you’re simply time compressed, see the post here.
We’ve all heard the hype on Nike Plus and what it’s done for the running community. Tying together my running data, my running community and my ipod is very cool. Microsoft and others continue to work on the concept of “Life Logging” or “life-streaming” (the visual diary) and the associated SenseCam technology to support the idea. Imagine a world were we all walk around our daily lives tracking and monitoring each and every detail? Well perhaps we’re not too far off from that reality. Both of these concepts represent very interesting impacts on people and technology. With the continued evolution and technological advances to mobile, social and the digital space as a whole it only makes sense that we are witnessing more and more confluence. These digital advances are helping to build communities, bring like-minded people together, promote self-expression and of course, provide endless new product or technology opportunities. New, singular concepts pop up all the time, what’s really cool is when they can be brought together.
We can all agree Social Media is here to stay. It has been fascinating to watch the evolution as it has naturally become common place for individuals and organizations globally. There are countless examples of the great things the social space brings; reuniting old friends, tying people with like interests together, career networking and meeting new friends are just a few. Businesses are tapping into the social media space and continuing to find new ways to make it a stronger marketing tool. The technology is there to allow most anything and that’s exactly what we’re witnessing.
Take last week’s news report out of Ryerson University in Toronto. A student has been accused of cheating by his engineering faculty for running an online study group via Facebook. If the student is found to be in the wrong he faces potential expulsion. For details on this story please view CBC’s story.
Predicting the weather for tomorrow with a forecast is dead simple, predicting it without isn’t so simple. We all rely on the tools and techniques honed by scores of scientists and meteorologists over the past century. The fine art of weather forecasting is improving, allowing the common man an opportunity for a fair fight against Mother Nature. At least we have the chance to prepare in advance and walk into a situation (or day) with decent intelligence.
Before the technology advances made in recent history, mankind had to rely on knowledge passed down from elders, observation of patterns and even folk tales or legend. The experience factor was huge, the more you had the better prepared you could be for the next day or next crop season, etc.
A few months ago, I learned of Eye-Fi. If you’ve never heard of Eye-Fi, that’s understandable — it’s not been widely publicised (though it was mentioned positively in Wired Magazine) and it’s technically not available in Canada. Unless you’re a geek (which I am) and/or a photography hobbyist (guilty as charged), you might never even come across it.
Eye-Fi (which rhymes with “Wi-Fi”) is a 2 GB SD memory card for your digital camera. It allows near-instant uploads from your camera to your online photo sharing service of choice, provided you’re within range of a Wi-Fi service. (Neil — you were right about more wireless ability!) The “how the heck” moment came when I asked how they managed to get a 45 foot range for transmission in an SD card, when my PC often drops signal from within the same room.
It actually seems to make photography more fun — it’s immediate sharing potential is amazing. And frankly, a little bit frightening…
I had a couple of recent technological hiccoughs in my personal sphere. At the time, I passed them off as mere inconveniences — although I ranted quite loudly (warning, objectionable language) on one of them. But it was only when I stopped and took a step back that I wondered something:
Do I put too much faith in technology being there for me?
Which then led to some interesting questioning as I looked at the world around me. How much are we dependent on technology being there? It’s so pervasive now that most times we don’t even think about it.
At least not until it doesn’t respond.
