Although hardly empirical, this small study does give some indication about the effectiveness of those mostly aggravating little QR monstrocities popping up everywhere.

From Lab 42's post: "This survey was conducted online via social networks from July 28 to August 1, 2011 among 500 social media users. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated."

Frankly, I'm looking forward to the day when recognition software allows you to take a picture of anything, including an ad, linking you to further information.

But then, McDonald's might substitute in emerging markets.

Combining the old traditions of Laurin and Klement, a pre-war Czech company, with modern technology and system, designer Petr Novague has come up with a car concept that apart from presenting retro design also helps in sustaining the ecology. Hailed as “ECO,� the concept car features tube car frame, half-hood body and carbon components, which makes it a lightweight and energy efficient vehicle. Running on four narrow wheels, powered by built-in electric motors, the ECO car promises a sustainable ride in utmost comfort. Locating the batteries under the tilting front lid, which also works as door, the ecological automobile presents an effective operating range of 500 km per charge.

Billboards that use facial-recognition software to determine the age and gender of people looking at them.

It will be interesting to see this technology used to control 3D video mapping on buildings.

Eric Schmidt, Chairman of Google, said that 78% of smartphone owners use their phones while they shop. "This is the future and everyone will adapt," Schmidt said. Mobile growth is occurring at a quicker rate than anyone expected, Schmidt noted. "We look at the charts internally and it's happening faster than all of our predictions," Schmidt said.