stickybits = ENDLESS opportunities Pin It
Introducing stickybits. A fun and social way to attach digital content to real world objects.
Saw stickybits in the App Store on Friday and have not stopped thinking about it. Like I wrote in the title, I think the opportunities for this are ENDLESS.
The basic premise:
- Scan a barcode (or QR code)
- Attach something– a photo, video, audio clip, pdf, zip file, text file etc. to the bar code,
- Other people scan it – using the free stickybits app (available for iPhone and Android) people can ‘see’ your attached digital content
Scanning ‘codes’ for info isn’t new, we’ve all seen the codes in newspapers that you can scan with your smartphone, but here’s the cool part. You can scan any barcode and ‘tag’ it. That means existing ones… like on a can of coke, or new ones. stickybits allows you to create your own barcodes to use on pretty much whatever you want. Need 1, no problem. Need more, no problem. They even sell products on their site with codes on them that can be personalized–things like coffee cups and t-shirts.
Try it out now. Here’s my barcode from stickybits:
Scan my barcode from stickybits using their free app and check out what I’ve attached, then attach something yourself.
Opportunities
stickybits offers some ideas on their site for using their app:
- Add a barcode, tagged with a video of you singing happy birthday, to a birthday card for someone you know
- Add a barcode, tagged with your resume, to your business card
- Scan a barcode on a cereal box and tag it with your favorite treat recipe
Some of my own
Over the last day or so, I’ve had a ton of ideas as to how this could be used. Here’s a few off the top of my head:
- Video reviews & trailers – head down to Walmart or Blockbuster and tag dvds with a movie review of the film. Could be especially useful for parents wanting to check out content prior to buying or renting a movie for their kids. Another cool option would be to tag the dvd barcode with the movie’s trailer. People could scan the barcode of the dvd and watch the trailer before buying/renting the film.
- Book Reviews – pretty similar idea to the video review/trailer idea above. Could be great for browsing books in your favorite shop or at the library.
- Work for a non-profit? Add you own barcode to your printed newsletters for access to exclusive content, or for additional photos for the lead story, or for video of the little girl sharing about how being able to attend school has changed her life.
- Add your own barcode to your website (yes the code can be scanned off your computer screen, check mine out above) to offer access to exclusive content. Could be similar to what Danny Brown did offering a free 33-page ebook titled 7 ways to market your business on Facebook.
- Self Promotion – like the business card/resume idea – hand out your business card with your barcode. Attach your latest blog or vlog entry to your barcode and people can scan it to keep updated right on their smart phone.
- Selling a vehicle? Print your barcode onto the sign you place in the window of the car. People stopping by to check it out could scan the code and get all the info they could possibly need.
- Real Estate – Never mind ‘Text # to # for more info’ on the sign, how about using a barcode and attaching all the necessary info about the place for sale, including photos & videos, maybe even a highres pdf brochure of the place?
- Maybe this is going too far, stickybits does mention it their site… Tattoos, aaah… I’ll stop right there.
Concerns
I’ve also had some concerns about stickybits, but first a disclaimer: I have just found stickybits and have not spent anytime looking at any FAQ or Legal pages on their site. I also need to read, in detail, the Terms of Use.
Removing Attachments
Can I remove (or edit) what’s attached to my barcode(s)? Not really a big deal for me (I mean I’m just a person and I’m sure I could always delete the code I set up… at least hope so!) but what about companies? All their products all have barcodes and have to have them, so they could be free game for competitors or disgruntled consumers. Stickybits Rolls Out “Official” Branded Bits, Signs Up Pepsi As First Advertiser
Viruses
Is it possible to spread computer viruses through attached files? I don’t see why not.
Pornography
Porn is already rampant on the web, what checks are in place to ensure that inappropriate material isn’t attached to barcodes? Know someone struggling with pornography? Help them overcome porn addiction
What do you think?
I’d love to hear your thoughts–Have you heard about stickybits? Have you used it? Is there value in it? What do you think it could be used for?
Tags: Android, iPhone, mobile, social media, stickybits, tech, video, web
