High Capacity Color Barcode - Microsoft Tag

Microsoft Tag is an implementation of HCCB using 4 colors in a 5 x 10 grid. Additionally, the code works in monochrome. The print size can be varied to allow reasonable reading by a mobile cameraphone; for example, a Tag on a real estate sign might be printed large enough to be read from a car driving by, whereas a Tag in a magazine could be smaller because the reader would likely be nearer.

A Microsoft Tag is essentially a machine readable web link, analogous to a URL shortening link: when read, the Tag application sends the HCCB data to a Microsoft server, which then returns the publisher's intended URL. The Tag reader then directs the user's mobile browser to the appropriate website, not unlike how CueCat operated. Because of this redirection, Microsoft is also able to track users and provide Tag analytics to publishers. During the beta, the creation of tags for both commercial and noncommercial use is free, but its uncertain how Microsoft intends to charge for the creation of the proprietary tags.