Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by tiedieconderoga 1095 days ago
Just wait until you can't see a restaurant's menu, in-flight announcements, traffic advisories, etc.

The pandemic opened the door to making a piece of technology a mandatory requirement to participate in society. It used to be possible to live without a smartphone, now you really need to be able to read and produce QR codes¹.

Why couldn't the same thing happen with AR, considering how expensive it is for governments and companies to put displays and audio announcements everywhere?

¹: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/04/my-lif...
3 comments
cmrdporcupine 1095 days ago
Around here (Ontario) places that insisted on QR code menus seems to be starting to roll it back. Probably under backlash from public (esp older people) who sees it as obnoxious.

Myself I raise a stink every time; I don't like the tracking implications. If businesses insist on it, I try to take my business elsewhere.

link
PaulHoule 1095 days ago
I do art projects involving QR code, at first I was happy about this development because it was getting people to scan QR codes (no mean feat on the OS whose logo is a trash can) but I found the backlash disturbing.
link
tomjen3 1095 days ago
You don't actually need a smartphone, which is good because a lot of older people do not have them or can't use them.

I think people sometimes forget that you can inconvinience a waitress without being an asshole about it (they are there to provide service) and that being able to be a customer is important enough that most businesses would prefer staff spend time helping you.

Sure they would prefer you have a smartphone, and it may be less convinient but that doesn't mean they can't work to accomondate you.

link
throwaway22032 1095 days ago
I haven't scanned a QR code for years and I live in a major city.

I used one QR menu during coronavirus and then started going elsewhere. To be honest restaurants during the pandemic were awful anyway, far more fun to just have friends over for dinner.

I have a fairly varied social life, if anything I probably drink too much. This doesn't match up with reality to me.

Unavoidable means just that - cannot be avoided. To avoid using QR codes doesn't even involve trying.

link