The UK’s postal service is claiming a world first, after launching connected postage stamps for smartphone users
Royal Mail says the “intelligent stamps” use image recognition technology to connect users to exclusive online content relating to the pictures printed on the stamps, when activated by an iPhone or Android device.
Users access the information though the Junaio mobile augmented reality browser which uses the handset’s camera to scan the picture on the stamp and access the relevant information.
"This is the first time a national postal service has used this kind of technology on their stamps and we’re very excited to be bringing intelligent stamps to the nation’s post,” Royal Mail spokesman Philip Parker said.
"Intelligent stamps mark the next step in the evolution of our stamps, bringing them firmly into the 21st century.”
The mail firm will deploy the service on a range of exclusive stamps profiling the UK’s history and heritage, starting with a railway theme.