We must however remember that near-field communication is not here yet and won’t be until earliest 2012 in test markets overseas and perhaps on a wide scale by 2013-2014 if not 2015 in North America as smartphone and tablet adoption rates are fully realized.

That makes the ever-popular rising trend of the QR Code, which bridge the offline and online worlds by making print and products interactive by scanning with your smartphone or tablet leading to greater ROI and a call-to-action the biggest mobile marketing trend of 2011 and 2012.

Apple’s latest promotion coincides with Blackberry’s strategy and recent rumored partnership with Google Android.

Here is Apple’s latest promo video:

Oh, and happy St. Patrick’s Day!