14 DAY TRIAL // A Microsoft technology designed to bridge the online and analog via mobile phones is gaining traction with print magazines. One of the latest examples of Microsoft Tag adoption comes from Lucky Magazine. Readers of Lucky Magazine are now able to take advantage of the extra online flavor delivered by Microsoft Tag directly on paper, with the March issue already available on newsstands. According to a Microsoft spokesperson, Lucky issues will continue to feature examples of the Redmond company’s barcode technology.
Kim France, Lucky’s editor in chief, notes, “At Lucky we don’t believe in using cutting-edge technology just for the point of using it. This one makes so much sense because it is incredibly intuitive and useful for our readers.”
Users have already been able to read about previous examples of magazines that feature barcodes from the software giant. In the first half of August 2009, Get Married Magazine said “I Do” to Microsoft Tag, and additional companies are following in their footsteps. “Other magazines that have used and are about to use Microsoft Tag include: Golf Digest, People, Time, Conde Nast Traveler, Details, Self, Woman’s Day,” the Microsoft representative added.
Microsoft Tag, leveraging High Capacity Color Barcodes (HCCBs) are a superior alternative to QR code standards, in terms of actual size, customization options, reporting, the actual reading software, etc. All that end users need to enjoy Microsoft Tag is a mobile phone with a camera and a small client which can be downloaded for free from the software giant.
The Microsoft Tag barcodes themselves have been optimized for cell phone cameras, with the client app supporting all major platforms. Users need to scan a barcode with their phone, whether it’s printed on the page of a magazine or on the label of a product, and have their mobile devices automatically open a webpage, dial a phone number, or take other predefined actions.
