Last June, we wrote about a t-shirt retailer whose shirts are custom-printed with a unique text message keyword and phone number. Anyone wanting to contact the t-shirt’s wearer or learn more about the message printed on the shirt can contact the wearer via a text message.
US-based Augme goes a step further. Instead of a text message, the site lets users create a unique two-dimensional barcode. When scanned by a cell phone, the viewer’s phone links up with the website embedded in the code: could be the wearer’s MySpace profile or a favourite cause. Augme also lets users link to profile pages they create on the Augme site. And the revenue model? An online store selling customizable tees. The range of shirts is rather limited at the moment—there's an opp for other entrepreneurs! ;-)
In parts of Asia, the box-shaped codes are becoming as common as URLS and barcodes, and present a streamlined way to access information. One for savvy entrepreneurs and marketers in the rest of the world to dive into, feeding consumers' infolust? Visit the Active Print Project to learn how marketers and others are using mobile-coded media.
Website: www.augme.com
Contact: mail@augme.com
Spotted by: Arkay
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Augme is crap because it doesn't actually allow you to get a real url but a url forwarder (eg their site forwards to yours).
They are obviously hoping to charge people for this forwarding service in the future.
If you want a real url in qr code email me and I'll send you a jpeg with your actual url "dean" at "cognation.net"
Lets put these scammers out of business.
Cheers,
Dean
Hi there. Thanks for featuring the site on Springwise.
A couple of points:
1. We welcome other entrepreneurs who wish to use the Augme service to create 2D codes for products, including T-shirts, posters, CD covers, flyers, stickers and more. Anyone who has any questions can contact me at matt augme.com
2. We have no plans to charge users for the forwarding service. Our revenue model does not involve charging the users at any point for the services we provide.
3. Because Augme Tags are redirected, you can change where they point to later. Using T-shirts as an example, who wants to put a static weblink on a T-shirt? It's much better to be able to change it whenever you want. One day you can link to a blog, and the next you can link to a video you posted online.
4. You can transfer control of Augme Tags. This means that if I print one on a T-shirt and decide to sell it in stores, I can. You print the tag on the shirt, put it in stores and provide a claim code with it. When the purchaser of the shirt enters the claim code on Augme's site, he/she will be able to change the page that the tag links to. Alternatively, you can transfer tags via email or via Augme username.
I think the latter two points are really good features of the service.
Anyway, thanks for the coverage. It's much appreciated.
Regards,
Matt
Savvy entrepreneurs may also want to consider tapping into the built-in equity of the brand zypcodes.com. It's long tail retailing at its best. And growing like wildfire. Zypcodes welcomes knock-offs, spin-offs and satellite ventures in its attempts to maintain the status of the elite and crush the little people like the ants they are.
for something kind of similar check out www.edoclaundry.com
Easton Richmond | October 31, 2007 1:50 AM