Although barcodes are very easy to transmit securely to mobile devices, the estimated 165 million standard barcode scanners at checkout locations in the U.S. have a very hard time reading them off of reflective screens.

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SpyderLynk, for instance, has developed Snap Tags, an application-free alternative to a 2D mobile barcode that works with either a standard or smart phone.

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Along with NFC payment capabilities, the device includes a new, and pretty innovative, take on the standard, old-school 1-D barcode.

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