QR codes, a barcode that can be scanned by a smartphone, have been installed in the city of Long Beach, Washington. The installation is the first in a series targeting visitors and tourists.

These QR codes are present throughout the city, and provide visitors with instant information at 29 points of interest. These include popular spots which are often frequented even by passers-by. The codes are incorporated in small signs.

The “Quick Response” code is a square barcode that helps in accessing location coordinate, text or contact information and even URL’s onto a phone very quickly. If the phone is equipped with a barcode scanner app, then the camera just needs to be point at the code to read its contents.

These two-dimensional barcodes offer a novel way of exploring the area without being rushed. As cell phones are used to read the codes, catching up with interesting details or curious facts, which can be accessed easily, is fun.

When a smart phone is used to scan the code, it quickly links the visitor to information about the point of interest. With these codes strewn about liberally, in parks and other frequented places, sight-seeing and exploring becomes a pleasure. No need to rely on those unreliable guides or a ‘Boring Guide book’!

A tour of Discovery Trail, which winds through the dunes and offers ocean vistas as well as historic sites, proffering endless excitement can be had by unearthing the information in the 19 codes which are present.

To begin the Discovery Trail tour, the QR code at the World’s Longest Beach Arch on Bolstad Avenue needs to be located. Additional QR codes can be spotted throughout the downtown area as well as at the City parks and playfields.

Read the full article at tmcnet.com.

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