Microsoft has entered the "additional content from a barcode" game, though similar apps like Scanlife have been available for the iPhone for quite some time. Today the beta release of Microsoft Tag - which the company says "links real life with the digital world" - hit the web.

The Silverlight demo and images illustrate possible applications, from watching a movie trailer after snapping the code from a poster to browsing for a band's CD releases by clicking a concert flyer. Long Zheng has posted video of Tag in action on his blog, istartedsomething.

If you'd like to give Tag a try on your handset, visit this page to download it. Content providers (and individuals) that would like to create tags can sign up here to get started.

Imagine the possibilities! Instead of Ikea including half-assed instructions for assembling one of their flat-packed items, maybe you'll soon be able to snap a tag and instantly watch a video of someone else struggling to piece it together.