Topic

QR codes

Flood-prone Chinese province tests QR code-based safety checks

Last year, China was hit by super typhoon Lekima, wreaking significant damage in several provinces, including Zhejiang. (Picture: Reuters)

Like Facebook’s Safety Check feature, people can mark themselves safe in Zhejiang using a QR code that sends info to rescue workers

5 Jun 2020 - 2:47PM

China wants to keep health codes after the pandemic but users aren’t so sure

The lack of transparency around how someone gets assigned a red, yellow or green health code has made these systems controversial. (Picture: Greg Baker/AFP)

Some officials are looking at options to tie health codes to fitness, education and pension services, but it’s fueling data privacy concerns

3 Jun 2020 - 9:24PM

The Chinese city that introduced health codes wants to track drinking and smoking

People in Wuhan scan a QR code at Wuhan's Hankou Railway Station to bring up their health codes on April 8 as travel restrictions for leaving the city are lifted. (Picture: Reuters)

A proposal from the Hangzhou government would have post-pandemic health codes assess lifestyle habits like exercising and medical checkups

26 May 2020 - 5:24AM

WhatsApp trials letting people add new contacts with a QR code

The personal QR code feature being tested in WhatsApp (left) and the similar function already found in WeChat (right). (Picture: WABetaInfo/Abacus)

It’s similar to a feature already found in WeChat

25 May 2020 - 3:12PM

China’s beloved QR code may make a global comeback through Apple

People scan a code to bring up a phone app that generates a health code before they enter a shopping mall in Beijing on May 2. (Picture: Greg Baker/AFP)

Shunned in the West, the QR code underpins China’s cashless economy and coronavirus tracing efforts. Now it could be part of Apple’s new Gobi AR app.

20 May 2020 - 2:10AM

No health codes creates chaotic morning commute in Hangzhou

A video from local media shows passengers crowding near subway turnstiles while trying to pull up their health codes. (Picture: 浙样红TV/Weibo)

Color-based QR codes designed to help track Covid-19 failed to load on Wednesday, keeping people from getting to work

6 May 2020 - 4:27PM

Murderer on the run in China turns himself in because he doesn’t have a health code

A woman has her temperature taken as others use smartphones to scan a code required to prove their health and travel status before being allowed to enter a shopping mall in Beijing on May 2. (Picture: AFP)

Color-based QR codes are meant to indicate the health status of smartphone users, but it makes life difficult for people without smartphones to get around... like a fugitive on the run

5 May 2020 - 4:33PM

Kamen Rider almost didn't make it home without coronavirus health code

Kamen Rider (right) was unable to pass through a community checkpoint until he could get his smartphone out. (Picture: Zhejiang TV via Weibo)

A man dressed up as Japanese superhero Kamen Rider had trouble showing guards his color-coded QR code

4 May 2020 - 7:06PM

Huawei introduces its own credit card like the Apple Card

Huawei Card appears to have no card number, just like Apple Card. (Picture: Huawei)

Huawei Card is the Chinese giant’s latest venture into mobile finance

9 Apr 2020 - 6:52PM

Tencent rolls out QR code that tracks potential Covid-19 carriers on public transportation

QR code registration is meant to enable real-name registration for public transportation, as is already required for airplanes and trains, said Tencent’s Song Lingyun. (Picture: Tencent)

China has been using big data to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus

4 Mar 2020 - 3:12PM

Shanghai introduces QR codes on subway to track potential contact with coronavirus

People can use Alipay, Gaode Map or WeChat to scan the QR code, the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission says. (Picture: Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission)

Big data helps China track people in fight against the coronavirus epidemic

28 Feb 2020 - 4:17PM

China’s QR health code system brings relief for some… and new problems

To enter an apartment complex, people must first have their health code scanned. (Picture: Alipay)

A color-coded QR code system to fight the coronavirus allows people to travel freely or forces them to self-quarantine

19 Feb 2020 - 5:25AM

QR code payments make long commutes even longer in China

Rush hour in China is not the place to be fumbling with your phone. (Picture: Shutterstock)

NFC availability is growing, but 100 million WeChat users are now paying for public transit with QR codes

5 Aug 2019 - 9:50AM

Apple is pivoting to services, but will that work in China?

An Apple Store in Shanghai. (Picture: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg)

Latest quarterly earnings show Apple’s services business grew 13% worldwide

20 Sep 2019 - 9:10AM

Five iOS 13 features that will make Chinese users very happy

Apple has released the first public beta of iOS 13

20 Sep 2019 - 9:07AM

Introducing China Tech City

19 Jun 2019 - 10:21AM

Crashed app causes chaos during rush hour commute in one of China’s largest cities

Commuters in a Chengdu subway station on April 8, 2019. (Picture: 东北小刘儿 via Weibo)

A malfunctioning payment app led to long lines and late workers in Chengdu

20 Sep 2019 - 9:01AM

Coming to a retailer near you: China’s favorite mobile payment technology

This picture is totally not staged. (Picture: Kroger)

Kroger adopts QR code in new payment app, following Walmart’s footsteps

20 Sep 2019 - 8:53AM

China’s favorite mobile payment technology has a security problem

A QR code on a rental bike in Shenzhen. (Picture: South China Morning Post)

QR codes are cheap and easy to use, but also vulnerable to scammers

20 Sep 2019 - 8:51AM

Smartphone in the shower: Chinese college wants students to scan QR codes before washing

Many Weibo user questions the new system. (Picture: Xiaoxiang Morning Post on Miaopai)

Social media jokes that the next step for technology is the toilet

20 Sep 2019 - 8:47AM

How the QR code conquered China

A fish vendor in China holding a QR code to accept mobile payments (Picture: May Tse)

Most mobile payment apps in China use QR codes -- the barcode-like square you’ve probably seen on ads and billboards. To pay, customers either scan a merchant’s code, or let the seller scan their personal codes.

20 Sep 2019 - 8:08AM