Scanned Goods

摘要

Simple, Pervasive things are powerful, especially when technology gives them new life. It is why some firms are placing $100 million bets on the venerable bar code, tattooed across billions of retail items since 1974. The low-tech system is suddenly set to star in the next act for e-commerce, where wireless meets the Internet. Companies are implanting bar code scanners in pens, key fobs, cell phones and pagers. Some are out now and more are due next year. All are aimed at reaping revenue and marketing insights in one swipe.