Despite the earlier controversy regarding Facebook's attempt to auto-create QR Codes its users profile pages, QR Code still took off really well in Manhattan. For nearly a decade, Japan's been actively using QR Codes for their everyday lifestyle. Walk along any street in Tokyo, you will most likely find the curious-looking code somewhere, either on a window pane or painted right onto a building. Users use their smart phones to scan the QR Code with the camera and get to access online information, secret codes or access a downloadable file.

Take, for example, the Nbuilding which is a huge building located in one of the Japan's busiest districts where a gargantuan QR Code is literally built into the building's exterior. Passer-by can access the code to visit the company's website, find updated corporate information, download videos and images and also download coupons and make reservations. Interesting, isn't it? To see more about the N Building, head on over here.

Although Manhattan does not have something like this (yet), we can see that NYC locals are keen on doing the same. For Internet Week this year, Times Square launched their own QR Code with a campaign called The City At Your Fingertips.

As it is, Manhattan is known for their large and bold signs everywhere. It's almost like a loud, large and incredibly energetic circus every night when the sign boards come alive. Will there come a time when these large sign colorful signboards be replaced by the bland and boring QR Codes. What a change that will be, huh?

The QR Code promotes services available in the vibrant city via their website. But this Manhattan promo has a little bit more than N Building, which is offering users the chance to download ring tones and also win tickets to much-anticipated Tony Awards.

To say that QR Code will become the new 'in thing' after online social networking within this year (2010) is a little too hasty but watching the growth and acceptance of the technology in many parts of the country, it is safe to assume that within the next few years, it will be almost as common as grabbing a coffee from Starbucks on your way to work.

Which is cool...