2D barcodes vs. RFID tags

Barcode are used since a long time to tag products for identification reasons, however a new barcode generation known as bidimensional barcode is coming out.

Below I list some formats proposed by different organizations:
- QR code;
- Shotcode;
- DataMatrix;
- and many others;

The main characteristic is a bigger data storage that can extend usage beyond identification. For instance, Semacode is targeted to encode url, but other formats are even more flexible.

In Europe bidimensional barcodes are not widespread as monodimensional ones, however seems that in Japan QR code are quite common.


How does 2d barcode technology apply to mobile world?
Well, phone equipped with camera are common and Nokia has begun to deliver a barcode reader on its phones as Tommi’s S60 application blog says.
This post has also interesting comments on possible use cases of the technology.

IMHO, in several scenarios 2D Barcodes are a valid replacement for RFID tags. While the potentialities of RFID are wider, just think about the capacity to modify the data shipped into RFID tag, the integration of a RFID reader into a mobile phone needs some dedicated hardware while 2D barcode recognition leverages on camera.

Obviously there are some drawbacks as such as

1) light conditions could reduce the tag recognition:
2) the necessity to see the tag in your camera while rfid reader works in proximity of the tag;
3) as a consequence of the previous issues, the tag could become unreadable because partially scratched or faded.