We have got some proprietary barcode readers for our mobiles, some closely related open source projects, and now Google has announced yet another. ZXing (pronounced "zebra crossing") is an open-source, multi-format 1D/2D barcode reader library implemented in Java. The goal of the project is to support decoding of QR Codes, Data Matrix, and the UPC family of 1D barcodes, so it will set the 'minimum standard' for open source barcode readers. It will provide clients for J2ME, J2SE and... Android (this client will be released later). Currently working version has support for UPC an QR Code, some key features like Data Matrix decoding and support for advanced JSRs will be added soon. This is an open source project, so you can actively contribute to it.

What's also interesting, Google is going to trial QR codes with print advertisers (read more). That way, barcodes can revolutionize traditional print advertising and make it even more useful for readers, because they allow readers to "click" on interesting print ads with their cellphones and seamlessly connect to relevant online content (first example from US newspaper, found on Flickr).

Let's hope that the idea will be accepted by the newspapers' readers and the barcodes will reproduce the success story of SMS in marketing area.