Android users may soon find it easier to scan QR codes from a distance, thanks to a cutting-edge feature Google is developing. The tech giant is refining a code scanner that intuitively recognizes a QR code within the camera’s view, zooms into it, and then reads the code. Although not yet available on devices, Google has included it in their most recent APIs available to developers.

Acceleration in Artificial Intelligence has made this feature easier to implement

The innovation lies in the revamped Google QR Code Scanner API. While it powers Google’s native QR Code Scanner app, its versatility allows integration into third-party apps as well. A standout benefit for developers is the elimination of the need for camera permissions. This not only streamlines the user experience but also simplifies the development process.

A cornerstone of this feature is Google’s advancements in on-device machine learning. Instead of simply reading a QR code, the API interprets it, delivering only a Barcode object to the application, a move that fortifies user privacy. Although the intricate workings of this technology remain shrouded, the application of AI upscaling in other media sectors gives a hint of its capabilities.

Mishal Rahman, a noted Android authority, reveals that this auto-magnification trait has found its way into the latest ML Kit barcode scanning API library. This library, available through Google Play Services, hints that Android devices (version 13 and above) might soon flaunt this feature, given their reliance on the same library.

However, questions still exist. Will phones with subpar cameras leverage this feature effectively? And will it be exclusive to Google’s Pixel? As the feature’s rollout garners momentum, we’ll be watching closely, eager to witness its impact on the Android ecosystem.

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(Via)

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WhatsApp has unveiled a new and efficient way to transfer chat history from an old phone to a new one using a QR code-based system. The company’s latest feature allows users to migrate their WhatsApp data seamlessly when switching to a new device operating on the same system, be it iOS or Android.

WhatsApp’s QR Code Data Migration: Simplifying Phone Switches

To initiate the transfer, both devices should be powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. On the old phone, users need to navigate to WhatsApp’s Settings, then select Chats and Chat Transfer. This will generate a unique QR code, which can be scanned from the new phone to complete the transfer process.

Compared to existing third-party solutions, WhatsApp’s local data transfer method provides enhanced security measures. The encrypted data is exclusively shared between the two devices over the local network, ensuring a safe and private migration experience.

Previously, WhatsApp relied on cloud backups to facilitate data transfer between devices running the same operating system. This new local transfer method marks the company’s first step in offering a streamlined solution for such migrations.

WhatsApp already supports the migration between iOS and Android devices; however, the existing methods are slightly more complex compared to the simplicity of the new QR code scanning process.

In addition to the data transfer feature, WhatsApp offers a multi-device functionality, enabling users to sync messages across various devices using a single phone number. The company recently expanded this feature to support multiple phones, providing even greater convenience and flexibility for its users.

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China is among those few countries that have widely adopted the mobile payments system, making the system quite easy to use compared to the traditional ways. The popularity of mobile payments in China was driven by the use of QR codes, making the process super easy as the user just need to scan the code to make payments.

But now, since the QR codes are gaining more popularity outside China, the tech giants in the Chinese market are moving towards a newer system for mobile payments — facial recognition. Companies like Ant Financials, an arm of Alibaba and WeChat backed by Tencent, have already started using facial recognition.

The facial recognition-based payments system provides more ease and security as well as portability compared to the QR codes method. Also, the use of this new method could further boost the usage of mobile payments as it has the potential to bring a new wave of less tech-savvy users, such as the elderly.

Alipay first rolled out its Dragonfly facial recognition system, which is an upgrade of its Smile-to-Pay system, in December last year. Since then, the company has expanded it to over 300 cities in China.

Following its footsteps, rival WeChat Pay also started offering its device to merchants around three months later. The device is capable of scanning both a customer’s face as well as QR codes for payment. However, the company has not shared statistics.

The adaptation of this new system of facial recognition has made the shopping experience a breeze. During checkout, all the user needs to do is choose facial recognition to pay and look at the tablet’s camera. Once authorized, the amount will be deducted from the user’s account. Now, the user doesn’t need to take out the phone and scan the QR code and then proceed with the steps to make payment.

This is also leading to less reliance on cashiers. For instance, Alipay is now offering solutions such as vending machines and self-checkout machines that both use face-scans to process payments.

The battle for the mobile payments market share in China is majorly between two giants — WeChat Pay and Alipay. As per the reports, both the companies jointly accounted for over 90 percent of China’s mobile payments last year. Both are almost equal when it comes to ticket size, with WeChat Pay accounting for 45 percent of total transaction amounts and Alipay for 46 percent, reveals market research firm Ipsos.

There are currently about 583 million users who are using mobile payments technology. With over 562 million Chinese still remain to get connected to the internet, the market has a lot of room to grow.

(Source)

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QR codes are everywhere in China. From buying groceries to hailing taxies to hiring a bike — there’s a QR code for everything. Even beggars have reportedly started accepting payments via QR codes, shedding light on its popularity in the country. In fact, around one-third of the mobile payments in China are via QR codes and this figure is expected to rise in the coming future. With millions of people living in China relying on QR codes for making payments on a day to day basis, it has become necessary for China’s financial institutions to start to regulate this modern mode of payment. In this regard, Chia’s central bank has announced plans to start regulating payments made by QR codes, barcodes, and other modes of payment via scanning, by keeping an initial payment limit of 500 Yuan ($76.5) per person, per day. Additional daily limits of 1000 Yuan ($153) and 5000 Yuan ($765) apply to payers who haven’t completed certain authentication procedures.

The need for regulations in this sector is important to ensure a solid check on fraudulent transactions. Things like money laundering or making payments in exchange for cash are different tactics used by sellers using QR codes and the Chinese government wants to stop such kind of activity by introducing proper regulations. Another reason is to foster fair competition between the two mobile payment giants in China, Alibaba’s Alipay and Tencent’s WeChat. QR code payments are very common among their services, so it becomes necessary to ensure there are enough regulations to keep things in check.

Apart from payment caps, the central bank wants better policies with regards to QR code payments, like expiration dates, encryption, regular updates etc to ensure that QR codes are not being used by sellers for fraudulent transactions. The payment limits are set to come into effect from April 1, 2018.

(Source)

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