Update mobile AR browser Junaio 3.0. Now, barcode scans too.

Jay Donovan-writer and professional mobile strategy, based in Columbus, Ohio. He wrote for the TechCrunch network from 2009 onwards. You can get to reach him at jaydonovan crunchgear dot com. ? read more

Junaio, mobile browser augmented reality created AR German company Metaio, updated this morning: version 3.0 now supports barcode scanning. Some of you probably meant "BOOM de doo, each application can scan barcodes today." and you're right; This is not a big deal in this sense. When you think you recognize possible Junaio additional images, using it to scan 1 D and 2D QR codes is sort of like using a bazooka to shoot an arrow.

But from a usability perspective it makes a lot of sense. I'll be the first to admit that the concept of "channel" Junaio's for AR content has always been a little confusing for me. I mean, I get it and think it is a flexible way to split the content. I am sure that it also makes it easy for the 3 parties to make content available in the browser.

But I must always remind ourselves how it works ...I choose x x channel for content type, etc I think adding "instantly" scanner that you can simply scan images, posters, to recognize the natural feature tracking experience is to do all the things you can always make Junaio — plus 2D barcode scanning is a big step in the right direction for Junaio and ease of use. This is definitely a faster way to get to the content.

In terms of strategy, it also makes sense. Why not try Junaio "one-stop-shop" for all AR and image search needs? Especially when AR content is still not as substantive as the scan (not that I would like to say a barcode scan fully master either) barcode. But why not try to make less complicated barcode functionality is possible for users too. This is a good idea.

I installed it this morning and noticed that not all 2D barcode for network scanning capability. I confirmed this representative from Metaio, who said that in today's launch, would Junaio only to scan the barcode standard 1 D and QR-codes. They will add additional symbol libraries over time to accommodate different types of code.

Several symbols of recognition will be important for the Junaio become that "single-window scanning app. I understand that QR codes are more popular symbols, and their ability to encode Kanji characters to make them more practical, international decisions. This is probably a good place to start. However, data matrix codes in North America are still popular and in the print size can be significantly reduced.

As a minimum should be included in the data matrix, PDF417 and maybe even the Aztecs. But overall, I think this additional functionality is a step in the right direction for very few mobile AR browser.

Version for iPhone is available now, with the iPad version 2 coming later this week. The Android version will be available next week.

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1DollarScan scans and digitizes the book for you "for your buck"

Dr. Serkan Toto is currently working as the first and only Asian-based writer for the TechCrunch network, mainly covers with Japan technology and Web companies for TechCrunch, CrunchGear and MobileCrunch. Serkan also works full-time as an independent Internet and mobile industry consultant with a focus on the Japanese market. He is Saint lingual, holds an MBA and a doctorate in economics. Serkan ... ? Read More

With old media in a digital form to get more seats in the House, save them or just make them portable, not exactly a new trend. However, some startups, as Peggybank in the case of videos and photos, still find ways to stand out. And now a new company called 1DollarScan is trying to do the same for the books, documents, photos, and just about anything that is printed on paper – through pricing.

1DollarScan is the equivalent of the United States in Japan called Bookscan, which is the largest of its kind in the country and hit the United States millions of dollars in revenue within a year, according to the company's namesake station (in fact, the service was so successful that some customers in Japan currently have to wait for months to get their material is digitised).

1DollarScan works the same way as Bookscan: after receiving physical books or other printed materials from clients, validates and converts them into PDFs or DVDs. Is that similar services do too, but as 1DollarScan in the company name, prices start at just $ 1 (10 photos or 100 pages in a book, for example).

Obviously, the idea here is to engage in more market than competitors, make more affordable mass scanning and digitizing. 1DollarScan tells me they build on their experience in Japan and "radical" apply method kaizen Toyota for perfect operation and reduce costs in their "factory" in the United States market.

Launched last week in the United States, it is too early to say if 1DollarScan can deliver in terms of quality, but if this is any indication, the Japanese company has already filed a patent for the protection of its adjustment method (actually very impressive) resolution for a specific device (here's the video in Japanese, which shows the scanning process). On its Web site, 1DollarScan said that digital content can be found on all Android phones and tablets, essentially all device iOS, 3-Kindle, the Sony PRS-650 and corner.

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