USA Today swaps Microsoft Tags for QR Codes

Print newspaper USA Today has announced a tie-up with AT&T to allow scannable barcodes to be featured with the pages of its publication.

by Helen Leggatt

Recent studies have shown that the most-scanned barcodes are found in newspapers and magazines.

Now, USA Today is putting AT&T barcodes, which are essentially just QR Codes, into each section of the publication including Sports Weekly. Although the tie-up is with AT&T any barcode scanning application can be used.

The barcodes will connect mobile users with additional news content and interactive features.

"We are proud to have been one of the first U.S. newspapers to offer interactive codes daily and we're looking forward to enhancing our mobile barcode experience with AT&T," says Chet Czarniak, executive editor, content distribution and programming for USA TODAY. "This initiative furthers our goal to bridge digital and print by providing our readers easier access to special features."

About a year ago USA Today announced it was using Microsoft Tags to enhance their readers' experience.

Tags: Microsoft Tags, mobile apps, mobile barcodes, news content, newspaper, QR Codes