Barcode Scanner - Android App and Game Tips and Tricks

There are many barcode scanner applications in the Android Market that you can choose from and they all do similar things. Many people use them to do things such as scan products in stores to look up reviews of that item or to see if they can find a better price somewhere else. You can also scan items in your house to find out where to buy that item or to get more information on it.

One of the more popular apps is the Barcode Scanner by ZXing Team. It lets you do the usual things mentioned above but will also let you scan Data Matrix and QR (Quick Response) codes that can contain things such as website URLs, contact info and so on. A QR code is a type of 2 dimensional matrix barcode made popular because of its fast readability and large storage capacity. The code consists of black modules or patterns placed on a white background. They can be used to encode all kinds of data such as binary, alphanumeric, links, text and so on. A Data Matrix code is a 2 dimensional matrix barcode that consists of black and white cells arranged in a square pattern. They can be used to encode text or raw data up to 1556 bytes. They are very similar to QR codes.

Once you install and run the Barcode Scanner app you will be able to start scanning the barcodes of whatever you feel like scanning. It uses your built in camera to do the scanning and you simply line up the barcode within the box and let it make the scan. Then it will tell you about the item it has scanned assuming it can find any information about that item to report back.

Once it finds the information off of the barcode you have the option to do a web search on that item or to use Google Shopper to get more information and pricing.

An interesting feature of the Barcode Scanner is that you can also use it to share your contacts, apps, and bookmarks using a QR code. You can share data by having a barcode shown on your device's screen and then scanning that barcode with another Android device. With the app open press your menu key and choose Share. Then you will be able to share information from your phone in the form of a barcode that can be scanned by another device capable of reading QR barcodes. In this example a website URL was shared allowing another device to scan that code and go to that website.

The app will also keep a history of the items you scanned so if you scan something at the store and want to research it later then you will be able to go back to your history and continue on as if the item was right in front of you. Barcode Scanner is available for free at the Android Market.