The folks at Brightkite updated their Android app to beta 1.2, and in Android-esque fashion, published the link to the binaries in a QR code, that you can scan here. Here’s what’s new:

• “I am…”: Fixed crashes when location providers unavailable
• “I am…”: If location provider is unavailable, prompts the user to open location preferences by tapping the “I am…” cartouche
• “I am…”: If location is available, tapping the “I am…” cartouche now goes to that place’s detail
• [Cupcake only] Post Photo: fixed issue where holding down the camera button would take multiple pictures
• [Cupcake only] Post Photo: added Autofocus for both camera button and trackball. Half-pressing camera button shouldfocus, full press should take photo. Pressing the trackball will focus, releasing trackball should take photo.
• [Cupcake only] Post Photo: Photos should preserve the orientation in which they were taken (already worked pre-cupcake)

Whats this to the left? Its a QR-Code, a 2d barcode that holds text information like vCards, poems, or even links to the Beta release of Brightkite’s Android app. Since the launch of Android and the G1 last year, BKiter’s like myself have been wondering where the Android app was.

Well, out of no where yesterday, Brighkite uploaded this code to their feed with a simple hint: “try it on your Android phone using the barcode Scanner app.” If you have a G1, or a Magic, or whatever, use Barcode Scanner (download it from the market for free if you don’t have it already) and grab the direct link to the APK. You may need to have the setting checked on your phone to allow installs from unknown sources…

This is a beta, but it seems pretty full featured and awesome already. Its fast and accurate, and looks almost exactly like the mobile application (i.brightkite.com). Expect the official app to drop into the market either this month or next… I don’t see what else they have to test. Thanks Brightkite!

P.S – Brightkite is like twitter for your locations. You can check into a place, upload photos, make comments and see people in your area.