Quick response (QR) codes, or scannable mobile barcodes, that can hold web page URLs or other content in them, are popular in Japan, but have been slow to catch on in the US. RCR News has a feature saying that the “odd-looking little images” may finally be taking off ten years after they were first introduced.

SEE ALSO: UK Tabloid The Sun Reports Strong Uptake Of Mobile Barcode Service

The codes have recently been getting a lot of play in the UK. paidContent:UK reports today that the BBC is rolling out mobile “barcodes” that could deliver programme information to handsets. The BBC has added a QR code to every programme information page - part of a beta development listing credits, transmission dates, even embedded iPlayers - for all BBC shows (here is this week’s Panorama as a QR). Though not yet promoted (add “/qrcode/” to any PI page), one possible application is to direct TV listings mag readers to more mobile programme information. UK tabloid, the Sun, launched a QR advertising service in December and reported recently that it has signed on 11,000 registered users to the service in a month’s time.

The US’s first mobile barcode feature came from GoAmerica, which had been testing a mobile application that allowed people to comparison shop using their phones. But it and other barcode applications stumbled to gain traction—mostly because of interoperability issues with MMS and lack of mobile web enabled phones. RocketBux ceo Fred Boos noted in the early days of their mobile software company, only 7 percent of phones had WAP capability, while today, that figure is at 58 percent.

RocketBux recently created a barcode service for the Bend, Oregon Mt. Bachelor ski resort that lets visitors click on a link embedded into a daily weather alert sent via SMS that then directs them to a barcode coupon that can be redeemed at the resort.

QR start-up ScanBuy has a downloadable application that reads mobile barcodes and is using them as a way to boost advertising—much like The Sun’s efforts in the UK. The barcodes can be put in magazines, on billboards, and in television shows to name a few. Once a person has downloaded the reader onto their phone, they can take a picture of the barcode, which will then send them to a mobile web link allowing them to download content or get more information.