QR codes, BeeTags, PhotoCodes. You may have heard or seen these around for a while. They have been very successful in countries like Japan, but have never been successfully integrated into the South African market. Cell C has stepped up and is bringing this technology to South Africa.

Cell C PhotoCode is a new technology that allows South Africans to access information on their mobile phones by using QR codes, the new generation barcodes used extensively by retailers. Cell C CEO, Lars P Reichelt, says while the series of stripes in a traditional barcode contain data like an item’s price and weight, QR Codes can be used to encode a much wider range of information. These two-dimensional codes can be read by camera mobile phones using code-reader software.

Get the PhotoCode reader and Snap this code to get awesome SA band content for FREE

“PhotoCode, powered by BeeTagg Pro, enables inanimate matter to come alive, for example, a newspaper can provide access to a video clip, a shopping window provide information about items exhibited, a t-shirt can carry an electronic business card and a billboard can provide access to a concert or provide a link to a website,” says Reichelt. He says PhotoCode will also allow select South African bands to share their latest tracks, exclusive images, wallpapers and ringtones with a wider audience than before. South Africans will be able to download this content and more using PhotoCode. This is really cool, big up to Cell C for promoting South African music and providing access to it!

Reichelt says QR Codes are not new, but companies have been slow to realise their full potential, until now. “PhotoCode is commonplace in Japan and Cell C is proud to be the innovation leader in South Africa, together with BeeTagg, the Swiss based market leader,” he says. Cell C will introduce PhotoCode to the public in conjunction with media partners, YOU, Huisgenoot, People, Sunday Times, The Times, 5FM, Multichoice and Oppikoppi and it will be will be rolled out further via retailers, restaurants and bars, amongst others. Cell C’s PhotoCodes can unlock a host of new experiences for customers and Reichelt says new applications are being devised almost daily. “All customers have to do is download the PhotoCode reader, then point and snap,” he says.

Ok, so you want to try it out? Follow these instructions below to get the reader and then snap the PhotoCode image above and you will get access to some of the awesome SA music content from our friends at Cell C! Here is how:

Step 1

Get the PhotoCode reader:

• sms your name to 32357
• you’ll receive an sms with a download link
• click on the link to download

Step 2
Keep a look out for a Cell C PhotoCode in participating media (Or use the PhotoCode in our article above)

Step 3
When you spot one, snap a photograph of it using your PhotoCode reader

To find out more, visit the OFFICIAL CELL C WEBSITE