Users of the social networking website Facebook were left a bit confused recently, after a new feature popped up on the profiles of its members. A couple of new links appeared under people’s names, the first being “View QR Barcodes,” and the other was “Generate status QR Barcode.”

Now I can imagine, that there are many users who will be wondering what exactly this new feature is for. And according to a report at suite101.com, it is a feature that could possibly change the way that Facebook is used, especially in the ever-expanding Smartphone market.

QR codes seem to be appearing everywhere nowadays. As Smartphones become more popular and more people have access to the Internet – no matter where they are – the usefulness of the QR code increases as well. Smartphones with cameras can then become scanners.

And that apparently, is where the QR Code comes in. If a person sees an interesting product, they can then see its accompanying QR Code. They can then take a picture of that code and immediately be sent to the company’s website. And the options are just endless.

Facebook decided to get in on the action, although there has been no official announcement about their desired uses of the QR Code. If someone was to scan another person’s QR code, then that person’s Facebook profile would immediately be available in the palm of their hand.

It appears that Facebook have taken that feature off now, but who knows if it will re-appear.