Yesterday, I told you that Microsoft will announce a new product. Here we are! This one is called Microsoft Tag!
What Is Microsoft Tag?
Microsoft Tag is a marketing solution that enables consumers to access and share useful and fun content in a simple way. It also helps marketers engage with consumers in meaningful and creative ways, and to measure effectiveness.
The Microsoft Tag application lets people use the camera of their Internet-capable mobile phone to snap a tag, which will quickly and easily connect them to mobile content such as videos, music, product information, ring tones, free text and other promotions.
Designed with ease of use in mind, it enables users to easily bring information such as business card contact details to their cell phone, without having to type anything.
Colorful two-dimensional tags can be used to transform traditional marketing media (for example, print advertising, billboards, packaging and merchandising in stores or on LCDs) into live links for accessing information and entertainment online. Tags can be included on all kinds of material: paper handouts, vCards, T-shirts, magnets, online displays and even dog tags.
Microsoft Tag is available via a free beta download for commercial publishers and the general public in the United States starting Jan. 7, 2009; it will roll out in other countries at a later date.
Consumer Use: Users can download the free Microsoft Tag reader application to their Internet-capable mobile device with camera, launch the reader and read a tag using their phone’s camera. Depending on the scenario, this triggers the intended content to be displayed, data to be integrated, e-mail to be sent and so on.
· Users can instantly connect to related content, such as a movie trailer, mobile TV and video clips, event details, exclusive discounts, or a map with directions — automatically downloaded to their cell phone. There is no longer a need to remember and type out long URLs.
· With a tag on a business card, others can automatically upload contact details on their phone just by reading the tag.
· Anyone can create a tag using a PC. Adding a tag to a vCard automatically links information to a site, blog or profile on Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn or other social networks.
Publisher Use: Microsoft Tag helps publishers connect with customers in new ways and gives access to analytics that can inform marketing strategies. With Microsoft Tag, marketers can create unique brand experiences and enable more effective and efficient decisions about marketing spending, in ways that include the following:
- Broad applicability of the Microsoft Tag solution. Microsoft Tag can link to multiple content types, including the Web, vCards, SMS, e-mail, calendars, mapping, social applications, coupons and promotions.
- Create viral buzz. Content exposed to the customer through the use of Microsoft Tag can be shared easily with others.
- Analytics. Microsoft Tag allows publishers to see which tags are being read when and where, with detailed impression activity via the Microsoft Tag campaign management site at http://www.microsoft.com/tag.
- Size. Artwork can be as small as a 5/8-inch square, no matter what content the tag links to.
- Reliability. Publishers can feel confident that Microsoft Tag has implemented a technology that gives a dependable lock and decode rate.
- Visual appeal. Tags are colorful and integrate well with the majority of color collateral.
To get more information on Tag, go on http://www.microsoft.com/tag.