Summary
-QR codes are now commonplace in daily life, following a rise in use during the pandemic as touchless tech was favoured
- They were invented in the 90s but came into widespread use as a means of touchless communication during the pandemic
- They can be used to order food, access tickets, make purchases and more -QR codes use finder patterns to allow cameras to identify them and work out their orientation
- They contain alphanumeric data of less than 100 characters, but can also have error correction to protect against damage or obstruction
- Scams involving QR codes are also common, so browsers should be wary of irregular codes, particularly ones in random public places or on suspicious websites
- QR codes can be read natively through smartphone cameras, as long as the lighting is good enough, or they can be saved and accessed through Google Photos or Apple Photos using the Google Lens or Live Text buttons
- Third-party apps are available but these often bombard users with ads and subscriptions, so aren’t recommended unless extra functions are needed