Revisiting this, I found this documentation. http://www.scanlife.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/ScanLife-Callable-SDK.pdf It looks like it launches the scanlife app from within your 3rd party app. As long as it is installed on the users device. If not it prompts them to download. Looks like it may be a viable workaround. And so far it looks like there is no cost to do this. The PDF goes over the integration, but I am not sure how this will work with a BT app yet. I will keep looking into it, but if anyone else has ideas, I am all ears. Jim

Yah, but to be honest, as a user I would be frustrated if I had to download another app for functionality in the existing app I am in. Haven't looked much into QR codes and sdks, as I haven't had a need for them, but if I get a chance I will poke around to see what I can find. just my 2 cents

Excellent find. Previouly it's been discissed but licensing was very expensive. This is cause for celebration. Fred

I signed up at http://developer.scanlife.com and I had access to the updated version of the Documentation. Looks like this now works for both IOS and Android apps. It gives directions on how to install it into the code, but I would really like to make this a custom plug-in as I know of several apps that I could implement this on. I will post progress

I've looked at their site. Have you figured out pricing? Fred

This is right from the Documentation. "Costs Non-Enterprise Version: no costs Enterprise Version: costs are negotiable based on business model. Contact us ( [email protected]) for more information. For the best user experience, please use the ScanLife Code Management Platform to create new codes, or register existing codes (please inquire about ScanLife Packaging Connect to register existing UPC codes)." While the term "enterprise" is not spelled out, From what I can tell integrating the app is free, basically all you are doing is launching from within an app. (many other apps let you do this) Where they make their money is if you use there back end to control results, by registering specific codes with them. Jim

Would look into this: http://code.google.com/p/zxing/ Opensource, free, and can be integrated.. You are going to have to do some work to implement it, but not necessarily any more then would with any other library you are going to work with.

Thanks, I have been looking at this one as well. From what I can tell the ScanLife options may be easier to integrate, but Zebra would be a better user experience. Well I didn't want to go out and enjoy the weather today anyway, back to researching...

Really questions will be.. What is your goal after they scan? Why are they using your app to scan vs a QR reader? Is it to access information in your app?? Is it to go to a url contained in the qrcode? My one advice to anyone developing apps, is make sure your app has a specific purpose, and anything you add to the app help accomplishes that purpose. Personally, I would only add a QR code reader if I could find a way for it to link back to content inside the app. Perhaps secret content, or extra features. For instance, build a museum app and have each exhibit contain extra info via QR code scan. They scan and an id for a screen passed back to the app and opened. Now you have built something that requires your app, and only your app to get content. This is where QR technology is helpful in an app. As a user I have apps that are quick for QR codes when I know their intention (url, information etc). All they do is scan QR codes and they do it will. My 2cents

And a valuable 2cents it is. Thanks for the suggestions. Fred

You are absolutely right. There is no reason to have a scanner in the app, if it doesn't add anything to the app. The use I have in mind is similar to what you have describe, in that it is more of an interactive piece. I dont want someone to "leave" my app. At least don't let them think they are leaving. The Scanlife option launches within your app and is not branded,thus giving the impression they dont leave. That is after they download it. lol Still a work in progress...

I was able to launch ScanLife from one of my 1.5 IOS apps by using the "Launch Native App" screen by using "Browser, enter url" and using this - scanlife://sdk/scan It launches and the scan window is open. Of course that is not really what I want,as all that does is leave the app and launch Scanlife if it is loaded. Baby steps

I don't know if their SDK will do much different though... Once it passes to their app, if you hit a URL QR code then is it just going to open a browser window outside of your app? With out enterprise it can't pass URL back to your app and you tell it to launch webview (what customURL, or customHTML use)..

Very true, I guess focus goes back to hard coding the open source option. Figures, that would have been just too easy.

Just received email from them stating an new SDK will be released in to or three weeks and that pricing info would follow. Fred

Thanks Fred, let us know what they post.