MarcForrest.com

Category: Apple

  • How to use QR Codes effectivley

    Well we know that I am a fan of QR codes after the whole Photocode debacle (which I haven’t seen too much about). The opportunity that QR codes offer is way beyond what most other 2D barcodes can offer.

    I thought I would put a few thoughts down on how to ensure that when using a QR Code, be it in a campaign or personal use, making sure you get the full potential out of them.

    • Use a decent QR Code generator
      I use Zing which is built on the open source Google chart API. It is fast, and offers a variety of options. Another site I came across this morning is http://www.qrstuff.com/, which also seems pretty cool. You can also use http://imagecharteditor.appspot.com/ to create QR Codes. Quickmark also has a pretty cool SDK which allows you to create your own QR codes in your applications.
    • Ensure your landing page is Mobile compatible.
      This is huge. You cannot direct people to a URL using a non-mobile webpage and expect them to browse that using their phone. QR Codes are designed to open on a mobile phone screen, so make sure your site is mobile compatible. If you have a WordPress site, install the mobilepress or WPTouch plugins which will automagically transform your normal site into a WordPress site. If you don’t use WordPress….um…..
    • Use short URL’s
      I have written about this before, and when it comes to QR Codes, the shorter the better. Having a shorter URL ensures that your image size is smaller. Use a URL shortener like Bit.ly to make your URL’s smaller. Bit.ly also offers basic tracking stats, so you will be able to see how many times your URL has been opened.
    • Use Capital letters
      This one may sound a bit silly, but a QR Code with a url of http://bit.ly/aaaa will be bigger (image size) than a QR Code with the URL of http://bit.ly/AAAA.
    • Make your content relevant & valuble.
      Don’t expect people to snap a QR Code displayed in a magazine about gadgets, and then it takes them to a article about fish. Test your code before your publish it. It could lead to a potentially embarrassing situation :)  Rather link to a webpage about your product or campaign, and then on the page have a video, as opposed to linking straight through to a video.
    • Tell people what QR Codes are
      Because QR codes are a relitvley new technology (outside of Japan), you need to educate your users on what they are all about. Include a link on your site, or even below the image about what QR Codes are all about and where to download a QR Code reader from. It will still be a while till people know what QR codes are all about and how to use them.
    • Download a quality QR Code reader.
      I use Quickmark on the iPhone which seems to work the best and fastest. They also have apps for Nokia & Android. For Blackberry you can use BeeTagg
    • Get users to “Like” your Facebook page using QR Codes.
      This isn’t a must do, but more of a useful tip. Create a QR Code that will give people a like button to like your site or URL. You can create a URL that will point straight to the Facebook Like link (http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http://marcforrest.com) or read more about it on this site

    There are loads of uses for QR Codes. I can think of a few off the top of my head. Code in a magazine pointing to more info about a specific gadget and video of how it works. Or, a QR Code in a menu in a restaurant that links to a webcam in the kitchen or video of how the food is made. What about a QR Code on the flyer of an event or band that gives your more info about them or the full line up of a festival, and offer calendar events & a free song of the band which you can download. The possibilities are endless. If you wanna chat more about QR Codes, drop me a line on my contact page, and I would love to chat more about it.

    Have you got any QR Code tips & tricks to get the most of these awesome codes ? Share them in the comments below.

  • Who will win the iPhone 4 race in South Africa ?

    Techcentral reported earlier today that MTN would also be offering the iPhone 4 on contracts, when it (finally) launches in South Africa towards the end of September. We all know the iPhone 4 is going to be big in South Africa, I have already had over 3500 views on my iPhone 4 in South Africa post I did a while back. But I still have a pertinent question, which is really bothering me about the iPhone in South Africa.

    Which operator, be it MTN, Vodacom or Cell C, will be able to provide the best support for the phone ?

    Support, not just being hardware support, but also software and iPhone support. My biggest “gripe” with the iPhone in South Africa, is that people are spending up to 10K on a phone,  without knowing their full capabilities.
    The fact that it is so much more than just a phone, and you can install applications and use it for push email, amongst a whole whack of other things, makes me believe that the network operators have to play some part in promoting the phone, instead of just “selling it”.

    Vodacom have been selling the iPhone for just short on 2 years, and have already sold around 110k iPhones in South Africa. They have the upper hand I think, with the knowledge and expertise gained, as well as offering services such as Visual Voicemail & dedicated iPhone packages. But yet daily, I get emails from people who need assistance with their iPhones, that’s why I setup SA iPhone Help to try and help people with posing questions about the iPhone.

    At the end of the day, for me, it isn’t about the price, or about the best data bundle, which ever cellular network wants to be want to be the market leaders in the iPhone 4 race, they are going to have offer better support & education on the iPhone which will educate the users about the phone and it’s capabilities.

    Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below :)

  • Vodacom launches entry level SmartPhones

    Today at Tech4Africa had the pleasure of meeting Vodacom CEO, Pieter Uys, in person. We had a great chat and he told me about ann exciting initiative that Vodacom was launching.

    Starting today they will be selling Vodacom Branded “Smartphones” at entry level prices. Starting at R399 for the basic model, to R599 for the fully fledged model that includes a camera and QWERTY keyboard.

    I think this will be interesting to see and allow everyone access to high level phones.

    Here is the press release from MyBroadband:

    Vodacom unveils its new smartphone range with prices starting at R399; ‘Up to 50% off’ sale launched

    Vodacom today announced that it is bringing a range of new handsets to South Africa that promise to ‘revolutionise access to communications at affordable prices’.

    According to Vodacom these devices give those on a budget the opportunity to experience the benefits of full communications including web access and email along with some of the gadgets like cameras and MP3 players.

    Vodacom is launching three new Vodafone branded smartphones priced between R399 and R599 per month:

    The VF340, priced at R399, comes equipped with Opera Mini, an FM radio, an MP3/ACC player as well as a built-in camera and changeable covers.
    The VF543, priced at R499, features a touchscreen and supports email and web applications like Facebook and Twitter. It also features an FM radio, Bluetooth 2.0, and video recording capabilities.
    The VF546, priced at R599, features a full QWERTY keyboard for optimised internet browsing, email, SMS, chat and a 2MP camera. The 546 is distinctive in that it offers both Zulu and Xhosa language options.
    “Providing access to communications has been a key focus for Vodacom over many years, and we’re excited to be able to use our relationship with Vodafone to bring in these new handsets which really do provide revolutionary functionality at an affordable price,” said Mark Taylor, Managing Executive: Terminals, Financials and Online Services for Vodacom SA.

    50% discount sale

    Vodacom also recently launched its ‘up to 50% off’ sale which slashes the price of its 300 MB data bundle contracts and various mobile phones on prepaid and 24 month contracts.

    Some of the deals include:

    300 MB data bundle and 3G capable Linkbook netbook at R99 per month on a 24 month contract
    300 MB of data and a Huawei K3565 3.6 Mbps HSDPA modem for R99 per month on a 24 month contract
    A Sony Ericsson W995 for R1499 on prepaid – a saving of R2400
    An LG KT610 phone on a Top Up 135 package for R69 per month on a 24 month contract (saving R1440)
    These ‘50% off’ deals are valid from 7 August until 6 September

  • Let’s see if the iPad can become my laptop

    So I’m finally in Jozi for the long awaited and much anticipated Tech4Africa.

    I am sitting at the Vida in Sandton after being blown away by the Gautrain. That was amazing !!!! Airport to Sandton in like 15 mins. I honestly felt like i was in London :)

    So, I have decided that for the 2 days of Tech4Africa conference I am gong to only use the iPad. I left the macbook at home, and all note taking, blog posting and tweeting will be done between a combination the iPhone, iPad and MiFi. I think the biggest challenges will be the iPhone battery life as well as getting used to the iPad keyboard. I think it should be ok :)

    I am thinking of using Evernote on the iPad to take notes, and TwitBirdPro for tweeting on the iPad. The ever faithful Tweetie on the iPhone will suffice there.

    I will writing a couple of blog posts on the Tech4Africa blog, about the conference in general and 1 or 2 of the sessions. There is also a live Twitter stream on the site, which you can follow if you missing out. All in all, I am really looking forward to the next couple of days, and if you at the conf, please come say howdy :)

  • Get iSkysoft iPhone Video Converter for FREE

    I came across this very cool offer the other day, for a piece of software called iSkysoft iPhone Video Converter, which allows you to convert most video format’s into videos specifically for the iPhone. The software scales the video’s to the correct size, and then allows you to add them to iTunes, which can then be synced to your iPhone or iPad

    From the iSkysoft site:

    iSkysoft iPhone Video Converter for Mac converts all popular video and audio formats such as AVI, MPEG, MOV, OGG, WAV to iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 4 supported formats including MP4, MP3, etc. This Mac iPhone Video Converter software provides a series of practical settings such as video crop, file trim, video brightness, contrast and saturation, and merging multiple files into one outputfile.

    The free offer is only valid till the 26th of July, and they will send you a key to use the full functionality. It usually costs $29

    To download the software you can go to the iSkySoft site – http://www.iskysoft.com/iphone-video-converter-mac.html for Mac’s or http://www.iskysoft.com/iphone-movie-converter-windows.html