The timing of this announcement from Google was odd (3/31) since it coincided with the MobileTag (rumor) re-surfacing.

Also, it is interesting that Google will still be doing (only) URL shortening (Direct Method) QR codes moving forward. Hmmm.

Whether this has anything to do with something Neomedia did (or did not do) on that day with respect to the CNTS...who knows, it was probably purely coincedental. Who's next? Time to Pony Up!

One point of clarification that I humbly submit for perusal.

You stated

My interpretation is that this statement is in-correct and intentionally misleading. Laura DID NOT claim they owned Direct. I am surprised that anyone would think they do. They don't. In fact, that was stated explicitly in the whitepaper that they do not own any IP around Direct where no index is involved.

I went back and listened to the conf call and at 24:53 the verbatim was as follows:

Question: Some claim to have a workaround for our IP by combining a URL and an Index.

Answer from Laura

YES! This is a good sign of things to come it seems. When you originally posted this I was floored there was not more discussion. Many thanks for surfacing this. It has always worked for me with NeoReader (on Windows Phone7). Not everything is enabled yet, but the framework here is impressive and easy to use.

When I Scan a UPC code, I am taken to Neosphere page with
Your Product Code: xx (and the 3 Search Options)

Google Product Search just puts the product code and massive number of results are returned. These are all valid, but just boatloads of results like normal. Don't worry it gets better. I have to say that the next two options are dramatically improved over what Google returns. (Google on Steroids)

Amazon Product Search takes me to the exact product (if they carry it).
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref(blah)aps&field-keywords=<UPC>;
I can easily sign in and order or search similar products from options that are presented.

EBAY Product Search takes me to EBAY and enters the Product Code in a (Categories) Search. (not all UPC's are linked yet, but I can easily sign in (but not required).
http://shop.ebay.com/?seeallcategories...(blah)
There is a Buying Formats option to choose "Auction" or "Buy it Now" and the search results automatically adjust to the preference. I can bid on items or buy now. One other interesting thing that EBAY does here is if you click on CLASSIFIEDS it autopopulates the city.

Also, I scanned UPC's on IPhone 3g (1 megapixel, no autofocus) since the olden days with NeoReader (before I got rid of it for a real phone). Sure, it wasn't easy to have the right lighting and the right positioning to get a good scan. But, certaily possible with very little practice. The fact that you can type in the code suggests it should be no different than scanning the code.

I find it extremely amusing that some thought Neo wouldn't read and Neosphere wouldn't support UPC, EAN, and ISBN.

This was an uknown capability to "some" in the Asylum that should know better...and may have thrown up this smoke screen about iPhone. It would be interesting IF this was in fact different on an iPhone, but I doubt it.

Scanning Indirect codes is the main reason I am still here, this was the original vision, to be able to link (indirectly) to vastly improved sources of information and options for commerce.
! Long Live INDIRECT Codes !

Wishing all longs my best as always that this TECH prevails over all the other <bleep> that goes on around here.

Hopefully most made it past the second paragraph.

I thought the paper was very informative and did a good job of explaining the current landscape. The part I found particularly interesting was the discussion (and recommendation) of "Partial Indirect". Also, didn't we just hear this from Strahan as well... Very interesting.

What's Hot:
Indirect and Partial Indirect

What's not:
Direct

The tide is rising... My best to all in the Asylum... there is hope that brighter days will follow.

Hmmm, very interesting !!

I like this statement the best:
"At this point in the company's growth, there is now a new requirement to seek a CEO with a different skill-set and established network of industry relationships in order to be able to position the company for significant growth and long-term success."

Streetstylz/JP, Thanks for the clarification!

(Forbes) The Supreme Court Keeps Business-Method Patents Alive

http://blogs.forbes.com/docket/2010/06/28/the-supreme-court-keeps-business-method-patents-alive/

“The Supreme Court, as expected, dealt the final blow to Pittsburgh inventor Rand Warsaw's dream of patenting a method for hedging energy costs against changes in the weather. In doing so, however, the court didn't upset the foundations of the multibillion-dollar world of "business method patents," which are based less on a particular machine than a process for achieving some practical end.

It was an anticlimactic end to a case whose decision was so long delayed that some speculated the justices were deadlocked over how far to rein in what some see as an out-of-control patent process. Instead, the court rejected a narrow test that would require patents to involve a machine or transformation of matter and merely said patents can't cover an abstract idea.”

I get dizzy when reading lawyer speak, but this outcome seems favorable for NEOM…

Supreme Court Links
http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/slipopinions.aspx

Updated:6/28/10 Bilski vs. Kappos (Docket 08-964)
http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-964.pdf

Phish, Thanks for the Bonus DD!

I completely agree and share your enthusiasm about the space and impressed with the creativity being shown with (seemingly) endless uses for this mode of engagement. This is hitting mainstream (thinking that since Oct. '09) thanks in part to the indirect codes that are popping everywhere. Still scratching my head as to why it hasn't taken off, but hopefully NEOM is headed in the right direction on all fronts. (I appreciate what Clawmann is doing for the long term holders)

Regarding the http://qr.mdm.ag/1xxx site links, I honestly don't know what to make of it all, my hope is that this is just a staging site to test the waters using the direct code, but that the codes will eventually be implemented in-directly. That seems like a natural progression and would make sense given the relationships. Just for grins, there were some other Mobile Discovery sites that I found interesting as I was snooping around.

14xx
http://qr.mdm.ag/1433
http://mocodes.com/

http://qr.mdm.ag/1438 (39,40)
http://www.sweetgreen.com/

http://qr.mdm.ag/1486
http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/undergrad/index.html

http://qr.mdm.ag/1488
http://www.clubbk.com/

http://qr.mdm.ag/1489
http://www.bk.com/

http://qr.mdm.ag/1496
http://www.sweetgreen.com/blog/?page_id=1358

http://qr.mdm.ag/1498
http://library.syr.edu/

http://qr.mdm.ag/1499 (example for the Garden)
http://phizzle.mobi/WebSite/FormBuilder/default.aspx?PageId=4239

16xx
http://qr.mdm.ag/1603
http://www.nationalguard.com/careers/basic-training

http://qr.mdm.ag/1604
http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/dml/view_media_video.php?media_path=rtsp://media.baruch.cuny.edu:7070/mediacenter/accounting/3_accruals_and_deferrals.mov&media_title=Accruals+and+Deferrals

The uses for Education seen endless. Seems like a great way to have a daily/weekly lesson. Each class/subject has a barcode that is indirect of course allowing the instructor to change the content daily as well as keep track of student activity or at least provide easy access to the recorded material.

http://qr.mdm.ag/1607
http://www.threecreative.com/

http://qr.mdm.ag/1608
http://www.vibes.com/m/

http://qr.mdm.ag/1614
http://qr.mdm.ag/1615
m.Facebook try it yourself if you have an account

http://qr.mdm.ag/1644
http://www.ebendesign.com/


May the Direct Method be a stepping stone toward a brighter future! My Best to all longs!

Hmm, the loop/confusion appears to be on your end. When I scanned the barcode it resolved through router.neom to a specific site referenced from that codeid under bftc.renumobile.com.

This is a mobile frendly site that allows you to click and pledge, link to Youtube for a video as well as add your name to the 1 million voices (along with some other links).

I think you may have confused or mis-stated (Text CURE to 69740) which is for "Fans interested in the One Too Many campaign who do not have barcode-reading software on their phones". But, I am sure you knew that already.

Pops:

This is a true gem from an industry insider, thanks for providing such insight to the board! (I needed the laugh)

There are some interesting mobile sites that resolve in that 15xx range. http://qr.mdm.ag/15xx

http://qr.mdm.ag/1500
http://cnnmoney.mobi/

http://qr.mdm.ag/1501 (1507)
http://m.cnn.com/wk_tech

http://qr.mdm.ag/1502 (1506, 1508)
http://m.si.com/

http://qr.mdm.ag/1503
http://m.cnn.com/wk_politics

http://qr.mdm.ag/1504
http://m.cnn.com/

http://qr.mdm.ag/1505
http://cnnmoney.mobi/

http://qr.mdm.ag/1513
http://getunity.com/neustar

http://qr.mdm.ag/1514
http://getunity.com/neustar2

http://qr.mdm.ag/1515
http://www.gomocode.com/

http://qr.mdm.ag/1516
http://www.nextbus.com/wireless/miniPrediction.shtml?a=sf-muni&r=F&d=F__IBCTTRO&s=4727

http://qr.mdm.ag/1517
http://visa.via.infonow.net/mobile/

http://qr.mdm.ag/1518
http://mobile.fandango.com/

http://qr.mdm.ag/1519
http://m.yahoo.com/w/ygo-weather/myweather.bp?.intl=US&.lang=en

http://qr.mdm.ag/1521
https://mobileip.neustar.biz/mashupflow/process?pid=452628019&uid=452630004

http://qr.mdm.ag/1522 (1577)
http://m.cnn.com/

http://qr.mdm.ag/1523 (among many others in this range not listed)
http://ecoshow.mobilediscovery.com/thankyou.html

http://qr.mdm.ag/1555
http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/wsas/academics/learning-communities/

http://qr.mdm.ag/1588
http://destination.bonjourquebec.com/us/Summer/category/A-summary-of-the-travel.aspx?utm_medium=qr_code&utm_source=qr_code_2010&utm_campaign=qr_code_new_york

http://qr.mdm.ag/1599
http://thisiscanada.mccid.com/SanFran4/;jsessionid=uOlkn-HsxZbphmMlRIXzBg**

http://qr.mdm.ag/1600
http://thisiscanada.mccid.com/SanFran5/;jsessionid=uOlkn-HsxZbphmMlRIXzBg**