Brief Retrospect
QR codes were invented in 1994 by Japanese company Denso Wave. Mass adoption began in the 2000s thanks to smartphone proliferation. The 2020s pandemic accelerated adoption.
NFC vs QR: What to Choose?
NFC works up to 4 cm away, requires special chips, more expensive to produce. QR works at meters distance, cheaper, requires no additional equipment. For mass application — QR wins.
AR + QR: Augmented Reality
QR code is scanned, and a 3D model, video, or interactive content appears on screen. Especially popular in retail — showing products in AR after scanning packaging.
Smart Labels and IoT
QR codes become part of "smart" packaging that reports storage temperature, expiration date, location in the supply chain. IoT integration allows real-time product tracking.
What to Implement Today
Use dynamic QRs with analytics, branding, CRM integration. Prepare AR content for premium segment. Consider future IoT compatibility when choosing a solution.