Thoughts @ Amit Gupta

What is QR code

There is so much buzz around the QR code recently. Frankly I initially thought its some feature available with Blackberry phone , when I purchased one last year.

So what is QR code ?

By definition its Quick Response Code and look like a square bar code. The information stored on the QR code can be decoded or read by Bar code reader and mobile phones. Qr code can be used to add contacts to list, display  text, image or open a webpage by connecting to mobile web. 

All mobile platform supports QR code by native applications or  multiple free application available. Blackberry has build in a complete campaign around QR code. Ease  of adding contact to BB messenger. I love the concept and ad.

Fast Tube by Casper

But the QR code can be used for more interesting use. Few examples :

1.  Talking Resume (Combination of print resume and QR code redirecting to youtube ) . Watch the  creative way to use QR codes on a intern resume. www.victorpetit.fr (Sup de Pub Student, Lyon, France).

2 . Profile Photo on Social Profiles (Business promotion by @mayank)

3. Link to download applications (Android Market ) – One click Download

Android market offers one click download to almost all applications. The same code can also be extended to print and online campaigns. Check out the QR code for Facebook app

And many more ….

Interestingly term QR code itself is a registered trade mark of Denso Wave Incorporated and Denso Wave owns the patent rights on QR codes, but has chosen not to exercise them. Kudos

One last thing and most important thing. How to get a bar code for you ?

QR Code for http://amitguptaz.com

There are ample of online QR Code generator which offer this service for FREE.

a) http://www.qrstuff.com/   Customize the foreground color of the QR code and get a printable code. The site also give option to get QR code on various products like mugs, t-shirts etc.

b) http://www.quikqr.com : Simple interface with option to create a QR code for a webpage

Go ahead get a QR code for yourself.

Update : A mailer today suggest one more utility

Tags: internet, Marketing & advertising, Mobile, QR code

upgrading of my blackberry 8520 firmware

Few months back I joined the Blackberry train and bought a 8520 for myself. I found the phone quite handy and feature loaded even without subscribing to blackberry plan. The handset works smoothly using the standard mobile internet (GPRS) connection except for the push mail.

Following application are seamless on blackberry 8520 on GPRS , practically every application which is NOT made for blackberry only

- Gmail

- Google Maps

- Google Search

- NGpay

- FourSquare

- UberTwitter

- Gtalk

Fantastic phone !!!

I am now subscribed to the Basic Blackberry plan with Idea (email only plan). The only difference is the push mail of enterprise mail (NOT enterprise solutions plan)

Only one issue I faced is regarding the up-gradation of firmware. I got the handset with firmware v.4.6.1.314 (You can check the version Main Menu > Options > About) pre-installed on it. There is an option to check for any updates being released for the handset (Main Menu > Options > Advanced Options > software update). It showed that the firmware is updated ; whereas all the new blackberry boys and girls ion my office got v5.0 installed on the handset.

Solution : A quick search on internet leads to few links.

Blackberry official site with details of the most recent firmware version releases for the handsets (https://www.blackberry.com/Downloads/browseSoftware.do)

BlackBerry Handheld Software v5.0.0.1168 (EastAsia)

Package Version: 5.0.0.1168
Consisting of:

• Applications: 5.0.0.681
• Software Platform: 5.2.0.67
• File name: 8520wifijEastAsia_PBr5.0.0_rel1168_PL5.2.0.67_A5.0.0.681_Singapore_Telecom_Mobile_Pte_Ltd.exe
• File size: 116.41MB

Some more search and the steps for installation were posted all over the net

1. Download the file to PC (with blackberry desktop manager) and install the same.

2. Deleted the VENDOR.XML file located at:  C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader\VENDOR.XML

3. Disconnect PC from the internet

4. Connect the handset to PC and run the Blackberry desktop manager

5. Voila! 20 -25 mins and the firmware upgraded to v 5.0.0.681

6. Enjoy !!!

Only thing missing on screen is the lock screen button in menu. The phone can be locked by a long press of  ’A’ key or the pause button on the top of phone.

I am loving the new interface.

Tags: blackberry, Internet & Mobile, Mobile

Safeguard your SIM card against misuse

There seems to be a perfect synergy in the marketing and sales department of cellular companies. Both departments are supplementing each other in growing the subscriber base (And possibly redcuing ARPU).

The telesales ladies pushes hard to sell complementary ‘Golden’, ‘Platinum’ and matching/similar numbers to your current Mobile number in ever sweet voice. I have recd two such calls since morning. Good I have recieved two call in morning itself and now I can chill (My average incoming telesales call stands at 2). I am sure you want to know how have I managed this. Follow these simple rules to avoid telemarketing calls.    

‘Amit Gupta : With the amount of free numbers offered by Idea cellular. It seems I can run a telephone exchange.Tell them I am happy in my job’     via my facebook and twitter update.

On other hand, marketing team is generating demand for new sim card in very innovative way. My latest bill from Vodafone displayed the  ‘SMART’ way of safeguarding sim cards in 3 easy steps (This is the most prominent and colorful element on the page).

1) Go to nearest Store
2) Break the card in two
3) Hand it over to store employee

and then what…get a new sim card or connection Can’t believe what is the message Vodafone is trying to deliver with this creative.  I found this message very confusing and misplaced.

Tags: Amit, Internet & Mobile, Marketing & advertising, Mobile

My new mobile Nokia E63

It has been now three days, and initial euphoria has died down. I feel this is a good time to write about my new possession a Nokia E63. 

There are three small stories behind my new mobile.

  - Deciding on the mobile

  - Moving from Touch screen to Keyboard based phone

  - Joy of learning

Deciding the mobile: This is the most difficult part of the complete process. My previous mobile, good old pal for close to 3 years was a Windows based iMate Jam (Now this model is discontinued). A touch screen based yet very sturdy device. I bought this from US (no, it was not company sponsored trip, I went there on self paid family holidays). Few pics of that memorable trip are posted here. I seem to be drifting too much, so coming back to my mobile. Now this mobile of mine was in very bad shape, so much so that it can’t even handle meager 9 calls I received daily (2 Business calls, 4 Marketing calls and 3  missed calls from my wife ). So finally I gave into the business pressure.. On second thought peer pressure I decided to move on and buy a new handset for myself.

The hunt was spread evenly on online media (google, gsmarena, gadetsguru, compareindia), peer discussion, online reviews cutting across brands like (htc, Nokia, Samsung, Asus, iMate). The last round was between Asus 522w (better processor), htc touch viva (Full touch windows mobile) and Nokia E63 (Non touch but my trusted brand for 4 initial years 5110 & 6110) and this was also the order of personal preference. Asus 522w and HTC touch are windows 6.1 touch based mobiles and Nokia use Symbian platform. In this round Asus lost, as this cool gadget was way over my budget (Cost approx INR 19000 in Delhi).

So the final round was played between HTC and Nokia (INR12-13K), wherein Nokia won by overwhelming majority on features and trustworthiness (Thanks friends, and a special thanks to facebook which fasten the process of feedback). The next dilemma was to choose from the three stunning color offered by Nokia (Red, Blue and Black), so I went back to facebook and asked friends. The winner turned out to be Nokia E63 Ruby Red (BTW if you notice the poll was hacked by my wife, she has ordered err…voted for RED. )

Moving from Touch screen to Keyboard based phone : Before that I forgot to mention the features of E63. This is primary a form based business phone and pack most of the essential features. Some of the highlights being ;
-        QWERT keyboard
-        EGPRS and GPRS
-        110 MB internal memory
-        1GB Micro SD card (Included in the box)
-        USB Cable  (Included in the box, wonder why don’t they use standard mini USB port)
-        WLAN/WIFI support (Work well with my Linksys WiFi @ home)
-        Open office & Acrobat reader
-        2 MP fixed focus camera with flash

For more detailed specifications check out Nokia’s official site.

Primarily, I had to move from a full touch screen based mobile to full QWERTY format. Few initial hiccups

 - By instinct I tap on the screen to click.   

 - Look for stylus to write J

 - Have to deal with 47 buttons on Nokia instead of 4 on iMate

 - No single button to lock/unlock the screen

 - Go to webbed clicks to reach the folders

 

But But But….now I am coming with terms to this. I now able to figure out where to reach out on keyboard.

 

And finally Joy of learning : I was overwhelmed to see my mom learning how to click photo from the mobile. She tried couple of times and managed decent images. But the best part was when I clicked her. She quickly removed her spectacles and posed for the photo shoot. I have not posted the image anywhere as she has asked me not to share it.

Tags: iMate, Mobile, Nokia E63

3G in India

Bharti , Vodafone to bring Apple 3G iPhone to India later this year and with Bharti on verge of launching 3G services (Subject to all statuary clearance) .

Hmmm… so would we get to see a revolution in the way people get to use mobile and mobile internet in India. The success will largely depend on the cost of acquiring the technology (Handset + Service). Indian consumers are very price senstive and to an extend slow adapter in terms of mobile innovations. Still we have very limited usage of GPRS and related applications.

Mobile services were launched in India by Airtel but the credit goes to Reliance to bring mobile phones to commener. Their runaway success can be largely attributed to attractive (read unbeliable low priced handset and call rates) offers they throw open to customers. And with 3G hanset promised to be priced sub 10K  , I think there will be many takers.

I am of belief that Internet and Mobile are deadly combination and way for next generation of business.  3G will offer the speedy internet and open avenues to offer range of product and services directly to the mobile device.

Looks like tring tring time.

Tags: 3G, Apple, Cellular, GPS, India Insight & Beyond, Internet & Mobile, iPhone, Mobile

Makaan Mobile

 Know your customers and the environment in which they operate.  At Makaan we found out that our customers (property providers) are not very tech-savvy and don’t have regular internet access, infact only little fraction of our total customer universe are internet friendly. But the irony is that thier customers (Property seekers) are more and more depends on new age mediums for the needs.

So the challange was to build a product which will bridge this gap and property seeker & providers can be brought closer. The answer was in mobile phone which is a integral business requirement of people in property business. So through Makaan Mobile benefits internet is brought to people with no access of Internet.

Makaan Mobile application is a First SMS based application which enable property provider to advertise for the property and recieve responses directly to his mobile. The application also manages all the listings and the responses of the advertiser.

To know more about Makaan Mobile visit  www.makaan.com/mobile . This application is supported on all GSM networks in India. You can also download the application from the link below :

Tags: Download Makaan, Internet & Mobile, Makaan, Mobile, Product, Property, Real estate