Is coffee supposed to be tan?

It's difficult to view a QR code apart from the conjoined-twin product from which it has been formed. The code facilitates product promotion dispersal to those on the go. So it saddens me when such a hard-working code is tied to some oddball product like a flavored coffee flavor enhancer. You can tell I don't drink coffee.

The QR code wants me to scan to learn more about Nestle Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss, but it doesn't really mean it. The code doesn't give a shit about a product that makes its coffee tan.

The scanned code opens http://naturalbliss.coffeemate.com/QR so the URL isn't even shortened. Oh, well.

The first thing on that screen is a video which invites through a funky groove to "Express Yourself" while showing.. what's that? Is that a Georgia O'Keeffe style sexy open flower while the video teases me with a "hint of natural flavor"? Oh, baby. I want some now. Oh, it's just vanilla flavoring. False alarm.

Touching the other parts of the menu just brings me nutrition labels for the 3 flavors, Vanilla, Caramel and Sweet Cream.

So on the one hand, I want to see more QR codes in use; but on the other, really? Is this really necessary? If I'm out and someone offers me new Nestle Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss coffee creamer, am I going to need any more information other than it's a coffee creamer?

This code doesn't seem to add any benefit as a tool for consumers in this situation. Scan elsewhere.

Ritz Crackers and the "Cracker Pals"

This is a great ad because this guy, Guy Fieri, is so creepy. He's holding this football like he's about to eat it, like it's a giant turkey leg. He looks dangerously overly-enthusiastic about these crackers he wants me to buy. And possibly eat right now.

But the QR code is the story and it's printed inside a clip art image of a football. And it's ugly. There's no pretense at trying to dress up the code like it was some 4:59 on a Friday afternoon idea, "Let's stick it on a football. Because it's quittin' time!"

The text around the ad is a car wreck, a massive pileup on the highway. First, we're told to visit one website to get a coupon for $1. Then we get a second paragraph in a different font to tell us to SCAN THIS to watch the turkey leg guy give us party tips. Then in the final line, another completely different website we're invited to "check out." How much free time do they think I have? Maybe if my diet consists entirely of crackers, probably a lot.

Okay, so let's scan the code and see what we get. It's awesome. It's a mobile site. The shortened URL http://qa.e.augme.com/1331 translates to http://big-game.g.aug.me/home?xeid=1508&xeid=1331.

Recipes scroll by and you can tap any one. And the recipes fit my screen and are easy to read and I can scroll through several without having to tap anything else.

If you're going to use a QR code, make my time worth your time. In this case, I get a lot of information without any unnecessary content or web pages that don't look right on my small screen. Good code. Good cracker.

Curly's smoked meats

I'm not sure what this product is, but it looks like some kind of pre-cooked barbecue meats in plastic containers. But that's not important. What matters is the QR code and whether Curly's uses them right.

As you can see from the image, the code is pretty big, just over an inch and easy to scan. It's a plain code without any interior logos or colors. And underneath it says, "Scan the code with any smartphone for savings and recipes."

All codes should tell what they do and give some information about how to use them. Until everyone becomes comfortable with what QR codes are, this is still necessary and it's good to see it here on this ad.

The code also says, "This is NOT a coupon." Some companies use codes to distribute coupons and this code is letting the user know there might be additional steps involved to get some discount coupons for this product.

So I scan the code and it links to a shortened URL, http://tpqr.us/?id=121. The root site for that links to Think Patented Analytics and it redirects to http://curlys.com/sb/ which is a beautiful little mobile site. What I really mean is that it links to a mobile site, which is the beautiful part.

I was curious so I played with the tpqr address by changing the id= to see what I'd get. Interesting, all the different companies that show up.

From the Curly's mobile page, I can touch "all recipes" and go to another mobile page for some of the products, and then touch each one for a list of recipes.

This a great use for a QR code. Because recipes help mobile users while they are out shopping. While I have the recipe open on my phone, I can see what I need and shop from the list of ingredients.

Rating: 4 1/5 codes.