The latest trendwatching feature delivers a detailed review of our ever increasing demand for information on the go. But if you’re thinking “information overload” then you couldn’t be further away from the truth…“this desire for relevant information is insatiable, and will soon move from the online world to the ‘real’ world to achieve true ubiquity. Get ready for a click-and-know, point-and-know, text-and-know, hear-and-know, smell-and-know, touch-and-know and snap-and-know world.”

Here we are going to preview some of the latest in smart codes, funny little graphical scribbles that is turning the somewhat unresponsive and undynamic real world into an eco-system of ready-to-know information that fuels the curiosity of info-lusters.

Here are some the codes we found amusing…check out the rest at the trendwatching.com

QRcode | While a barcode contains data in one direction only, QRcodes contain information in both vertical and horizontal directions, meaning they can hold a considerably greater amount of information. All the rage in Japan, 30 million Japanese already have special QR-code reading software installed on their cameraphones. With a single snapshot, the QR square’s information is decoded, directing the phone’s web browser to further details on a product: from a dedicated page to e-coupons to games to promotional videos.

mCode | And yet another one! In the US, Nextcode is pushing its mCode, a QR-like code that can be molded into any shape, including company logos. The codes connect to consumer-centric info, especially product info. Think codes on boarding passes linking to flight status, or codes on movie posters linking to a downloadable movie trailer.

SemaCode | Even more ‘open source INFOLUST’: semacodes. Like the aforementioned QRcodes, semacodes are two-dimensional matrix barcodes with embedded URLs. Using the Semacode Software Development Kit, any user can create visual tags for objects and contexts. Software running on another user’s phone will then deliver the appropriate mobile content. And because it’s an open system, anyone can create as many semacode tags for as many different URLs as they wish.