14 DAY TRIAL // Google has its mind set to be the reigning champ of advertising. Fair and square, it is probably going to become that, now that the DoubleClick deal is about to go through, and with the newspaper ad sales that it is eyeing, it might break the barrier that held the Mountain View-based company in check this far.
The Internet company has decided to introduce printed barcodes in newspapers, in an attempt similar to that of Digital Convergence, that tried to strike rich with it in 2000. The response received then wasn't positive, but it wasn't negative either: it was indifferent, and many know that it hurts the most. The big disadvantage that the project had at the time was that people, in order to use the barcodes, had to buy a reader from the company and a handheld barcode scanner. Google is now taking advantage of the technology available and it is trying to resurrect the idea, because all you'd need to use of that now is a phone that has a camera and zooming options. That and a web connection with it, but that's currently defaulted with most handheld mobile phones.
Another big problem that the late 90s startup Digital Convergence had to overcome was the privacy issue, back then, when everybody was afraid of doing almost anything in order to prevent personal data collection online. Google already has the data, so that shouldn't concern it at all.
If you don't remember the campaign back then, or if you cannot figure out what good any printed barcodes can do, here's what Google thinks about them: "2D barcodes are a way to encode information, just like conventional barcodes - but 2D barcodes can encode significantly more. This information can be read by devices with cameras, such as cellphones. For advertisers, using 2D barcodes in newspaper ads can be an effective and flexible way to engage with potential customers. The benefit to readers is an easier, quicker way to get more information about businesses that interest them."
Interested?