The following is a guest post from Justin Herbert, an education professional. As such he is interested in how technology is affecting education. His post discusses using "Mobile Response Codes," a term we've begun using internally to group the rapidly expanding print to web options; QRcodes, Microsoft Tags and [most importantly] digital watermarks to name just a few.

Technological advances in cellular capabilities, web applications, and interactive content storage have led to the creation of digital watermarks and quick response (QR) codes. QR codes are two-dimensional bar codes that users can scan with a webcam or smartphone app, such as QR Droid or Red Laser, that lead directly to interactive content. Digital watermarks work in a similar fashion, but offer a more aesthetically pleasing layout. Invisible to the naked eye, but perceptible by your smart phone, digital watermarks provide a sleeker, visually pleasing look and can be used by simply pointing your smart phone at the watermarked content of interest and using the associated app.

I've got some great news I wanted to share with everyone. We've posted a few times within our blog about how House Beautiful was integrating digital watermarks within their publication. The results have been just wonderful and I'm happy to announce that momentum has been building.

They've now partnered with Glidden Paint to launch a marketing campaign for the February edition. Readers will be able to access the MyColortopia site, which is Glidden's new color portal. It's pretty cool that House Beautiful now has interactive editorial and advertising content enabled through Digimarc Discover. Read all about it here. Nice work House Beautiful!

I'm very excited to announce that the Digimarc Discover™ Online Services Portal now offers two new tools for customers to create print-to-mobile campaigns that can deliver even richer media experiences and help drive ongoing engagement.  The new Pop-Up Label Overlay and Menu Button Overlay templates empower consumers to choose the product and/or experience that they want to have prior to being connected to an online landing page.

InPublishing just wrote an exciting article about how Armani launched a campaign that uses digital watermarks. This campaign was delivered by Digimarc's partner Digital Space in the UK.

You've probably noticed that a lot of campaigns today are starting to incorporate different types of codes that enable consumers to interact with the brand or product. Digital watermarks are an imperceptible alternative; much more appealing than your typical QR code or machine readable codes. We like to say: The bridge from print to online doesn't have to be square!

We've already seen magazines like House Beautiful, Xbox 360, Photoshop User, and many more integrate digital watermarks into their publication. And we're starting to see a lot of traction and interest with digital watermarks, so we'll continue to update you as more publications hit the street using technology enabled by Digimarc Discover.

If you haven't already, you should subscribe to Bill Rosenblatt's Copyright and Technology blog. Bill runs GiantSteps Media Technology Strategies and does a great job of leveraging his expertise across different segments of media - from digital images, to movies, to music.

A couple of recommended posts:

• HP Snapfish gets into the Stock Image business: utilizing the LicenseStream platform from one of Digimarc's partners.
• Early Release Window: A guest post from our partner Veramatrix, about the movie early release window.

And if you are in need of business stategy or technology architecture advise, Bill is your guy.

I sure wish I could have written a "Complete Photography Guide," but Lifehacker did such a great job it seems silly for me to duplicate (wishful thinking as well I should add).

So if you want to learn:

• How your Digital Camera works
• What the automatic settings are supposed to do
• Manual settings – explained in English
• Some good tips for composition – if you don’t know the rule of thirds, now’s the time
• Post production – lots of good info, just hope you have Photoshop

Be sure to check out their links under additional resources at the bottom of the main page. If you’re looking for hardware, a NAPP membership will deliver good deals in addition to their Photoshop tutorials.

For hardware reviews, I like DPReview.com and friends like Steves-Digicams.com. A game changing possibility that was just anounced is Lytro's really cool lens technology. Hopefully this recommendation won’t look too silly in a couple of years.

And of course, don't forget to watermark images you post to the web and those you print!

In the interest of full disclosure: Digimarc and I work with the NAPP folks, but all the other websites mentioned are ones that I just happen to like.

Our web guru likes to fancy up our blog titles, he's just that type of guy.  So I figure I need to put "monkey", "soccer" or something alcohol related to meet his approval. [Kevin, watch yourself. -Ed.]

Verimatrix, a Digimarc partner, has announced StreamMark. This powerful new solution was developed in collaboration with major film studios and is specifically designed to enable early release windows for premium video on demand (VoD) content.

StreamMark provides studios additional piracy protection for first-run, early release movie content.  For consumers, it enables them to get Hangover2 and their favorite movies at home sooner. 

Verimatrix will be demonstrating StreamMark at CableNet, a technology showcase co-sponsored by CableLabs® and the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, June 14-16 in Chicago.

Thanks to everyone that participated in our "Open Beta", providing the feedback we needed to build a product that works well for our customers. If you haven't checked out the service yet, it's not too late to try as we now offer a 30-day free trial to anyone. It's simple to turn your printed content into an interactive, rich media experience. Go here to sign up or learn more on our website by clicking here.

Are you in marketing? If so, you've probably heard about QR Codes by now (especially if you've read a few of my last posts) and my guess is you either love 'em or hate 'em. Either way, you should know that a digital watermark can provide the same outcome but without the clunkiness.

I ran across this great article by Lauren Goldstein that basically says digital watermarks are QR codes, but without the clunkiness. That is so true! Her website is focused on B2B demand generation. Read the article and learn how digital watermarks can be used for B2B demand generation.

The Weather Channel's new series, From the Edge With Peter Lik, will use the Media-Sync Platform to enable a second screen experience. 

The iPad app provides fans of the show the ability to interact with exclusive content in real time using your iPad. While you watch each episode you can map Peter’s path as he finds the "perfect shot”, see behind the scenes videos and photos and connect with other fans of the show on Facebook and Twitter.

The Media-Sync platform relies on audio watermarks already inserted into nearly every TV program in the U.S. as part of Nielsen's industry standard TV audience ratings service. 

Media-Sync is a joint venture between The Nielsen Company and Digimarc Corporation.