The Microsoft Tag Reader uses your mobile phone’s camera to capture a Tag. On some phones, you merely need to aim your camera at the Tag. On other phones, you’ll aim and then click. The Tag is decoded, and the action associated with the Tag, such as opening your phone’s browser and displaying a specific web page, takes place. Microsoft Tag requires an Internet connection to work, and normal data charges apply.

The Microsoft Tag Reader is available for most smartphones and many feature phones. It is available on Windows Mobile, J2ME, iPhone, Blackberry, and Symbian S60 phones. Of course, your phone needs a camera and it must have Internet-access. A detailed list of all supported phones is available and new phones will be added over time.

There are no charges to install or use the Microsoft Tag reader on your phone. However, the application uses your data plan, and during the use of the application you may choose to dial phone numbers or send emails or SMSs. Standard carrier rates will apply. During the beta period, there is no charge to create and use Tags. And in the event that Microsoft decides to charge publishers to use Tags, any Tags that were created and used during the beta, will continue to work, free of charge, for at least two years.

The easiest way to get started is go to gettag.mobi on your mobile phone and download the free application. Anyone can get started making Tags for any purpose by visiting our Tag creation and management site at tags.microsoft.com.

See a tag, snap it, and you’re conveniently connected to more information, exclusive discounts, movie trailers, video clips, exhibit details, maps and directions, and much more. By using the Microsoft Tag application you can do more with anything that’s Tagged. And all of the Tags you snap are remembered so that you can access them later, or share them with friends.

Of course, you can. You can easily create a Tag that links to your online profile, contact info, blog, website, photo album or video. Add a Tag to your business card, and other people can download your contact information. Use a Tag to deliver a secret message to a friend. Attach a Tag to an item and if you lose it, whoever finds it can scan the Tag to find out how to return it.

Microsoft Tag is free. It is free and easy to get the application for your phone, free to scan tags, free to create and use them. Did we mention that it was free? Microsoft Tag uses the Internet connection and the other services on your phone and your normal carrier usage fees will apply.

The Microsoft Tag system does not transmit personal data to Tag users. They will only get your personal information if you give it to them. When you scan a Tag, you have the option (on some phones) of allowing the location where you scanned the tag to be sent to Microsoft and the Tag publisher so that the information presented can be personalized based on your location. No location information is sent at any other time.

The size is different for each phone, but the reader is small, typically taking 300-600K of storage space.

During the beta period, commercial use of Microsoft Tag, including generating, using, and receiving consumer analytics data will be provided at no cost.

We entered our Beta phase on January 7, 2009. We will learn and make updates to the solution based on customer feedback and our insights. If we decide to charge for some uses of Microsoft Tag, any Tags that are already in use will continue to work for at least two more years.

Just go to tag.microsoft.com, set up your account, and you can get started right away.

Tags can be used in many different ways for any business or organization. Put it on your packaging, on your storefront, on your offline advertisements. Add them to product shelving or museum exhibits. Microsoft Tag helps you build connections with your customers, letting you interact in real time in the real world, and is just plain fun to use. It lets you reach more people, at more times, using the thing they carry everywhere--their mobile phone. Plus, any Tag your customer scans is automatically saved, so they can revisit your information time and time again, or share it with their friends.

Microsoft Tag gives you the power to deliver extraordinary digital experiences that connect consumers to every facet of your brand. It makes your offline media more effective, more measurable, more immersive, and more fun. And it allows you to measure the effectiveness of your campaign spend, the same way you can online. It works with every kind of offline media, from newspaper ads to billboards to video.

Sure can. Microsoft Tags were designed to be optimized for both print and video display.

Yes, now there is no limit to what you can deliver, even from far away.

If you want to use Tag for your business, and you can’t find your answer here, send us your questions at taginfo@microsoft.com. Or contact your Microsoft sales representative.