The future of CDMA iphones and QR usage

A story published in Fast Company today, discussed the rumor that Apple is producing CDMA compatible iPhones. If these rumors pan out, this means that Apple is planning to work with carriers like Verizon that use this technology. This recent wave of rumors, sparked by a Wall Street Journal report, is just one of many that keep Verizon fans hopes of owning an iPhone alive.

The Wall Street Journal has a history of being the first to break Apple news, which lends credibility to this story. Will Apple end its exclusive contract with AT&T? We cannot be sure, but with these rumors and Apple’s tradition of launching new products/ upgrades every year, there is a chance (if only a slight one).

This particular Fast Company story also features a QR bar code at the end of the article–something I haven’t seen before. While QR is still in its infancy, the use of these 2-d bar codes in magazines and on product packaging is starting to surface. The QR bar code in this article directs users to the author’s Twitter page. SXSW also used this technology to embed attendees contact information–kind of brilliant.

I think QR technology can be an efficient way to engage users in typically non-participatory activities (like reading a magazine). It is also a nice bridge to support mobile marketing adoption. They might be a flash in the pan, but for now, I contend that QR might find a nook in marketing.