Bar Code Scanning

[alicez]

I see many web sites with bar codes on them and they ask you to scan the bar code.
Does the Asus have the ability to scan bar codes if we install an app such as RedLaser, ShopSavvy or Pushpins?

[Jeffrey]

You need to install a barcode reader app. The app uses the camera to scan barcodes.

[alicez]

That was my question. Can I install one of the Apps I mentioned on my Asus TF101? Will the Asus then be able to scan bar codes?

[billp]

That was my question. Can I install one of the Apps I mentioned on my Asus TF101? Will the Asus then be able to scan bar codes?

I'm not familiar with the apps you mention but I use a very basic and free bar code scanner called "Scan".

[alicez]

I'm not familiar with the apps you mention but I use a very basic and free bar code scanner called "Scan".

Thanks. Can that be installed (and used) on my Asus? Where did you download it from?
And you would use it how? With camera, etc.?

[Krinkster]

Yes and yes.

[eejit]

If you go to Google Play and type in "bar code reader" you will get a variety of results back.
They will read more than one type of code, for instance those QR codes?
Little boxes of squiggly looking pictures? Reads those too.
I was using one called i-nigma...worked okay, some products it returned 'no info'.
There are also some that will retain the info for you until you get to a connection.
ie. your tablet might not be connected to the net, so you can scan a product at a store and save the info till you get home...then look it up.
And yes, the app will just use the camera on your tablet to read the code, you don't have to do anything...just open the app and
point it at what you're trying to read--some take longer than others to 'focus', but they grab the number and then retrieve the info,
there isn't really a snapshot taken of the label that you could put a frame around and hang on yer wall.
Open Google Play and Search for 'bar code reader', then you can read the reviews to get some more ideas.

[janner43]

eejit sums it up well.

Alice, you should only get your apps from either Google's Play Store or the Amazon App Store. Search as eejit describes, read the reviews on the top downloaded apps & try them out. Keep the one/s you like the best.

[alicez]

Thank you all for your kind help. My grandson has asked me what would a code scanner be used for (when installed on the Asus)?
I couldn't give him a simple answer and I wonder if someone could supply a simple answer as to what a tablet code scanner is used for, especially what are those little boxes we now see everywhere with the little squiggly lines in them? We see them in magazines and on store windows, etc.
Thanks so much for your continued assistance and patience.

[eejit]

The boxy squiggly lines are called QR codes, or quick response codes.
You can read a bit about them if you click here. They can do a variety of things, depending on what's in the code. Bar Scanner, say I scan a product--and I've done this with a musical instrument--I scanned the instrument tag at one store, bopped myself over to another store and popped up my scan--they honoured the price of the first store (even though they were priced slightly higher) It just took the place of a coupon or advertising flyer I guess, but the store had neither, so the scan worked well....the tech I use to set up my instruments was based at the 2nd store, that is the reason I wanted to buy the product there. Many uses for bar scanners, primarily on phones where you are 'always connected' you can scan a code right in an aisle & do the same thing I did with the guitar, just ask them if they match prices at the checkout. Glad we could help.