East Texas Business

By BRIAN PEARSON
Managing Editor

They're colorful. They're square. They're popping up everywhere!

They're called Microsoft Tags, and, yep, there's an app for that -- for free.

Tags allow mobile-phone users to link from printed products to a universe of additional information, from videos to coupons to additional information on the Internet, according to the creators' website.

Like bar codes on retail items, Tags can be used simply by tapping on the application and holding the phone's camera lens over the Tag. That automatically opens a website, dials a phone number, calls up a video, etc.

Tags in printed products -- such as IN Magazine and the Tyler Morning Telegraph -- can be found in advertisements and stories.

"Simply scan a Tag anywhere you see it -- on advertisements, signage, magazine articles, retail shelving, product packages and storefronts -- and gain access to websites, videos, reviews, contact information, social networks, discounts, promotions and more," the Tag website states. "You just have to download the free Tag Reader on your web-enabled camera phone and you can start scanning Tags to interact with the world around you in new ways!"

Two Tags are featured on the front page of today's Sports section. Both will take you to Web pages devoted to our high school football coverage through ETFinalScore.com. One Tag will ship you straight to this week's live scoreboard, and the other will take you to the ETFinalScore.com homepage.

Tags also can help businesses engage customers and allow consumers to interact in new ways.

Microsoft Tag has fledgling communities brewing on Facebook, Twitter and through blogs.

If you want to know more about Tags, just download the application and get started by scanning in the tag that goes with this story in the Tyler Morning Telegraph!

Centene Brings 300 Jobs To Tyler   05/26/12
Tyler claims center plans to create 300 jobs   05/25/12
Large Fight Near Lee HS Results In Bloodied Teen   05/25/12
Tyler Police Capture 3 After Morning Break-In   05/25/12
Gorman Graduate Always Dives In   05/25/12
Deanna Laney Released From State Hospital   05/25/12
TJC Reaching Out To Displaced Lon Morris Students   05/26/12
Lon Morris College Woes Throw Students, Community Off Course   05/25/12
UPDATE: D.A.'s Office Rests Its Case   05/25/12
Teens Arrested Stealing Security Vehicle, Leading Police In Chase   05/25/12
UPDATE: Conditions At Women's Death Row Prison Referenced   05/24/12
TJC Opens Enrollment To Lon Morris Students   05/26/12
Prosecution Rests Case In Punishment Phase Of Cargill Trial   05/26/12
Tyler Saying Goodbye To Retiring Chief Financial Officer   05/25/12
Photos: East Texas Christian Academy Kindergarten Graduation   05/24/12
Old Fiddlers Reunion Keeps Them Coming Back For More   05/26/12
UPDATE: Cargill's Ex-Husband Says Her Temper Discouraged Him From Keeping Gun   05/22/12
UPDATE: Cargill's Mom Gives Emotional Testimony   05/21/12
Three Men Charged With Burglary   05/26/12
Area Employment Rate Up To 93.7 Percent For April   05/19/12