During his keynote at SMX in Santa Clara, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer made it clear that the company wants more people to use its products not what device they’re using. Though his focus was solely on Microsoft’s Bing search engine, the company kept with his philosophy since it released its first Android application.
Microsoft announced the release of its Microsoft Tag Reader application for Android, which is now available in Google’s Android Market. The application is free and the company’s description states:
Google Android Microsoft Tag allows you to discover information and entertainment by scanning mobile barcodes with your phone. Just download the Tag Reader, scan a Tag anywhere you see one- in a magazine, brochure, on product packages, signs or storefronts- and access information, videos, promotions, exclusive offers, and much more.
“It’s important to give more people access to Tag because there’s huge demand for reliable mobile barcoding – businesses and consumers are eager to find creative ways to use their phone and hyperlink the real world,” says Benjamin Gauthey with Microsoft Tag.