Barcode.com, publisher of The Bar Code News has introduced a contest to inspire innovation in the data capture industry. In attempt to introduce a more colorful alternative to barcode scanners available in endless shades of grey, Barcode.com has opened up a competition to design a more functional and aesthetically pleasing scanner.
The contest appeals to the retail side of data collection, but perhaps more colorful and interesting designs will find their way into enterprise with enough popularity. Suggested designs include “thematic” scanners where the “beep” and design match the surrounding environment. For example, scanners could play music and feature certain artists within a music store or they could play sound bytes for films within a film retail store. They could be decorated with a Star Wars skin and play R2D2 or light saber sounds upon scanning within a toy store.
The concept would be comparable to the personalization available for mobile devices with interchangeable skins and ringtones or “scantones.” The contest ends tomorrow, Wednesday, August 29, at 10:37 a.m., so if you want to make a submission, you should hurry! The winner receives a $300 prize.
