What is a QR Code?
A QR code (Quick Response code) is a type of two-dimensional barcode that stores information in a pattern of black and white squares. Unlike traditional barcodes, which store data in a single line, QR codes can store data both horizontally and vertically, allowing them to hold much more information.

How does a QR code store information?
QR codes store information by encoding a text string—such as a URL, contact details, or plain text—into a pattern of black and white squares. This text string is what the QR code reader or smartphone camera decodes when you scan the code.

What happens when I scan a QR code?
When you scan a QR code, the QR code reader (such as your smartphone’s camera) interprets the pattern of squares and decodes it into the original text string. The reader then evaluates the text string to determine what action to take, such as opening a website, displaying contact information, or connecting to a Wi-Fi network.

Can a QR code be used for more than just URLs?
Yes, QR codes can store various types of information, including URLs, contact details, Wi-Fi login credentials, plain text, calendar events, email addresses, and phone numbers. Each type of information triggers a different action when scanned.

How did QR codes evolve from their original purpose?
Originally designed for inventory tracking in the automotive industry, QR codes became popular in consumer applications as smartphones became widespread. Early adoption required dedicated scanning apps, but now, most smartphone cameras have built-in QR code scanning capabilities, making QR codes a common tool for quickly accessing information.

What Kind of Information is Behind a QR Code?

While URLs are the most common type of information stored in a QR code, these codes can actually hold a variety of data types. Here are some examples:

• URL (Website Link): The most common use, directing you to a specific webpage.
• Contact Details (vCard): A digital business card that can add a contact to your phone.
• Wi-Fi Login: Automatically connects your device to a Wi-Fi network.
• Plain Text: Displays a short message or instruction.
• Calendar Event: Adds an event to your calendar.
• Email Address: Opens an email draft to a specific address.
• Phone Number: Opens your phone app with the number ready to dial.

Each of these types of information can be stored in a QR code, and when scanned, they perform the corresponding action on your device. The versatility of QR codes makes them useful in a wide range of applications, from marketing to personal convenience.

Can a QR Code Open a Video?

Yes, a QR code can open a video, but how it does so depends on the service it's linked to. When you scan a QR code that directs you to a site like YouTube, the QR code is simply functioning as a URL link. It takes you to a specific web address where the video is hosted, and from there, you interact with the content just as you would with any webpage. The QR code itself doesn’t differentiate between content types—it merely provides the digital address.

However, when a QR code is linked to a service like Pop Video, the interaction goes beyond just opening a video. Pop Video uses QR codes as a mechanism to deliver hyper-specific how-to videos that are contextually relevant to the exact location or task at hand. Unlike a static YouTube link, which might lead to a general video, a Pop Video QR code connects to a dedicated platform where functionality is built in to manage, update, and deploy specific video content directly linked to the QR code.

Pop Video’s system not only handles the uploading and storage of the video but also integrates additional features such as video updates, user feedback, and notifications when the video is watched. This added layer of functionality means that while both YouTube and Pop Video can use QR codes to open videos, Pop Video leverages the QR code as part of a broader, more dynamic service tailored to precise needs and contexts.