I can't say I was too surprised to see that
Swedbank has scrapped its QR-code payment initiative.
While the scanning of a QR-code could feasibly be used to trigger any function or transaction that can be executed on a mobile device, when it comes to payments it fails to match up to the many more convenient options that are available to consumers and
retailers.
Particularly compared to contactless card payment, equivalent NFC enabled payments with a phone, or even cash - installing a QR code reader, launching it and framing a shot with a camera is slow, and something that few consumers have been given enough incentive
to do.
Sure, you and I might have QR code readers on our phones, have used them and possibly enthused about the technology. But we're Finextra readers, digital savvy with an interest in new developments in technology and financial services. Most people aren't.
Even in the world of marketing and advertising, where I thought QR codes were a more natural fit, it seems there's possibly more to be gained from auto-reply SMS for competition entry or getting a weblink to optimised, interesting content into a mobile browser.
One advantage is that SMS numbers can be short enough to use in broadcast media as well as print. Another is that SMS capability and familiarity is near ubiquitous across all owners of mobile phones, smart or otherwise.
That said, it's not too hard for an advertiser to generate a QR code to include in any print materials at little expense. And as long as they're placed appropriately (no more on the back of buses please), with some clear instruction and a suitable reward
for people who scan, their acceptance and use will probably continue to rise, at least among a particular demographic subset of smartphone users.