ZXing – Google’s Open Source barcode reader for Android

November 10th, 2007  |  Published in Development, Mobile, Nokia, Nseries, S60, mobilecampnyc  |  14 Comments

At today’s MobileCampNYC, the whole group got a sneak peek at ZXing (Zebra Crossing), the barcode reader Google is planning to include in the Android SDK being released on Monday. There wasn’t much real information presented about Android itself, only about the bar code reader that will be included with the platform. Highlights include:

  • ZXing is an open source project, and will also be available as a standalone J2ME application for use on existing phones.
  • This is an early version of the reader, so don’t expect it to completely blow away some of the proprietary readers out here. As he put it, the goal is to set the minimum standard for open source bar code readers.
  • As it is an open source project, they’re actively looking for programmers to contribute

In general, there’s nothing here that really struck me as being any different than any other open source bar code reader. The most important thing I pulled out of the presentation is that Google is going to trial QR codes with print advertisers. This shows that Google is going to start actively pushing bar codes, but more importantly, it shows that they’re moving more into the print area, even if it is just to link people to online services.

Here are a few slides from the presentation. Though sparse, they might answer a few basic questions. For more details, you’ll just have to wait until Monday when the SDK and emulator are released.

ZXing - Google open source bar code reader

ZXing - Google open source bar code reader

Responses

  1. All about Mobile Life - Google will trial QR Codes in Print Ads says:

    November 10th, 2007 at 6:01 pm (#)

    [...] will trial QR Codes in Print Ads Category: QR Code, Data Matrix…    By editor at 23:56ZXing – Google’s Open Source barcode reader for Android In general, there’s nothing here that really struck me as being any different than any other [...]

  2. Android Mobile says:

    November 11th, 2007 at 1:14 pm (#)

    There are a couple of new resources about Android mobile. A community for Android developers has been set up called http://www.androiddeveloper.com which aims to be a hub for developers using the platform.

    Another site called http://www.androidmobileforum.com has been set up for everyone to discuss anything about Android mobile.

    Hopefully these will be useful as Android becomes more popular and is talked about more.

  3. EMWEE.de » Google pusht Barcodes mit ZXing says:

    November 11th, 2007 at 2:03 pm (#)

    [...] Informationen gibt es bei wubbahed.com, Heike Scholz und All about Mobile [...]

  4. Brandkraft Online-Marketing » Google und Springer greifen die Barcode Idee auf says:

    November 12th, 2007 at 4:42 am (#)

    [...] Google stellt den Barcode-Reader (ZXing=Zebra crossing)vor. Nichts besonderes wie einige berichten, bis auf die Zusammenarbeit mit [...]

  5. ZXing, Google's open source QR code reader - Pocket.Info - Mobile 2.0 says:

    November 13th, 2007 at 5:17 pm (#)

    [...] Wubbahed] —Related Articles at IntoMobile:2D Barcode Reader for Nokia N73 and N80 releasedPython for S60 [...]

  6. Aquaman Battle of Atlantis » ZXing - Google’s Open Source barcode reader for Android says:

    November 14th, 2007 at 7:53 am (#)

    [...] unknown wrote an engrossing place today onHere’s a hurried excerptAt today’s MobileCampNYC, the full assemble got a steal look at ZXing (Zebra Crossing), the barcode reverend Google is thinking to allow in the Android SDK existence free on Monday. There wasn’t such actual aggregation presented most … [...]

  7. » QR Code Watch 16 November 2007 Darren Twiss - Mobile, Embedded and Hi-tech from New Zealand.: Mobile, Embedded and Hi-tech from New Zealand. says:

    November 16th, 2007 at 1:03 am (#)

    [...] Given the recent release of Android by the Open Handset Alliance, it’s great to see that it will include a barcode reader called ZXing. This reader will support QR and Datamatrix codes among others and will become available as standalone application for existing phones. Google seems really into this and it provides a link between their existing content and printed media (which they have made moves to get into recently). More on XZing here. [...]

  8. Sean Owen says:

    November 19th, 2007 at 1:53 pm (#)

    Hello everyone — may I proudly announce that this project is now open for business: http://code.google.com/p/zxing/

  9. Zxing - Open source Google bar code reader officially launched says:

    November 19th, 2007 at 10:36 pm (#)

    [...] was a nice comment posted tonight from the software engineer at Google who’s helping put together ZXing for Android. The good [...]

  10. The Praized Blog » Blog Archive » Google Print Ads Use Trackable Barcodes says:

    November 28th, 2007 at 10:31 am (#)

    [...] to Wubbahed.com, “Google is going to trial QR codes with print advertisers. This shows that Google is going [...]

  11. Jeffrey S says:

    April 15th, 2008 at 12:14 pm (#)

    Hey there, just wanted to share the Android application I just finished developing for the Challenge.

    http://www.jsharkey.org/blog/2008/04/14/android-scan/

    Scan is an Android application that finds pricing and metadata for anything with a barcode. Check out the 3-minute video showing it in action with real barcodes:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwhdXJuiO48

  12. GW says:

    November 13th, 2008 at 12:24 am (#)

    Just in case the trackback doesn’t show up for ya, I blogged about this killer app tonight. :) Thanks for such a fun and useful tool for the G1!

    http://www.gardenwife.com/nerd-love-barcode-reader-app-for-g1

  13. lavish malasiya says:

    November 28th, 2008 at 9:12 am (#)

    I want to do project on BAR CODE READING USING MOBILE PHONE CAMERA and can you give me some idea about it that how can i do this project. And can you tell something about STILL PICTURE SHOOTING MODE project

  14. More features added to BBM in 5.0 says:

    June 17th, 2009 at 11:54 pm (#)

    [...] cool uses for barcode scanners via Android: Shop Savvy Demo – Phonescoop What Makes the Wheels go round… Pretty cool stuff, glad to see Blackberry keeping [...]

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