Google Tests New Barcode Tech in Newspaper Ad Program

ClickZ: "After spending about $500,000 in 2007 to test Google's print offering, eHealth has begun experimenting with new response methods the search firm has introduced. Among those is a 2D barcode technology so cutting-edge, it's unlikely to get much play here in the U.S. anytime soon. In Google's case, the QR or 'Quick Response' code technology connects its newspaper print ads to mobile Web sites. Mobile devices with the appropriate software scan the codes which link to specific mobile site URLs. News Corp. has used the technology for ads in its U.K. tabloid newspaper The Sun.

'We recognize this is a technology that is probably a year to 18 months out,' said Spencer Spinnell, head of sales strategy for Google Print Ads, referring to the QR codes."