QR codes (Quick Response codes) are 2-D images that provide immediate access to digital information or actions that are relevant to what the user is doing at that moment. When a user scans a QR code, typically using the camera on their smartphone, it can open a URL on their mobile browser, or initiate a text message, email, or IM from the phone itself.

Popular uses of QR codes include companies linking to their websites or specific landing pages, enabling a phone call to the customer service or sales departments, or to help market a text messaging (SMS) campaign.

Here at MobileMammoth, we posted this QR code on our home page which, when scanned, connects users to our online text messaging tool. That way they can send text messages from their mobile browser and avoid text overage fees from their wireless carrier.

Anyone can quickly generate a QR code for free at sites like myQR.co and Kaywa.

QR codes are seeing quite an uptick in use this year, and for good reason. We highly encourage companies and individuals to start using them now and experiment!

Google announced this week they have updated Google Finance for mobile, which is available as a mobile website or an Android app.

Google Finance now provides more consistency across all its platforms in both functionality and in look and feel. There are still some complaints with it however, as evidenced by the user comments in their post.

What do you think? Has Google Finance overall finally surpassed Yahoo Finance in functionality and ease of use?

Did you follow the wild ride on the stock market yesterday? If you have the stomach for it, you can get stock prices live from wherever you are with the Google Finance Android app.

(Image credit to the Official Google Mobile Blog)

This Android app includes much of the functionality of the regular Google Finance site, including the ability to view and update your own stock portfolios that you set up in the web-based version. The latest release of Google Finance for Android supports currencies as well as the following stock exchange listings:

• AMEX
• ASX
• BIT
• BOM
• HKG
• LON
• NYSE
• NASDAQ
• SHA
• TPE

Android App:

www.android.com/market/free-finance.html#app=finance

Also see the write-up from the Official Google Mobile Blog.

Amazon recently announced its Mobile Payments Service (MPS), which allows developers to add mobile payment functionality inside their mobile website or app.

The service consists of a set of APIs, and in addition to the 1-click buying feature that Amazon has pioneered, the service also allows for cancellations and refunds. In our view, this service should be interesting for mobile developers selling digital content, informational products, or those that would like to sell access to a service for a small fee (i.e. micro-payments).

The image below describes the basic user experience of a mobile site offering the MPS service to its users.

Image Credit: Amazon.com

Anyone out there using MPS today? Let us know your experience and whether your users are taking advantage of it!

Amazon Mobile Payments Service (MPS):

https://payments.amazon.com:443/sdui/sdui/business?sn=devfps/mps

Zong offers a mobile payment service, allowing merchants, bloggers, social app developers, and almost anyone else producing content on the web, to accept payments via mobile phone. Customers need only provide their mobile phone number to make a purchase, which is typically for small pieces of content or niche applications.

Many Facebook and MySpace application developers have already found Zong, and while they take a larger cut of each transaction, the improvement in conversion rates typically far outweighs the higher fees.

Have you used Zong either as a seller or a buyer? What did you think?

Mobile Service:

zong.com

Yesterday’s stock market crash was like nothing I’ve ever seen. And at this point, nobody really wants to see the value of their portfolios, or what’s left of them.

But we all know we should. In fact, folks in the U.S. with IRAs with more than 20 years to retirement should strongly consider converting at least a portion of the portfolio to a Roth IRA. Since the the gains (if any) are likely to be so small right now, the tax hit is negligible.

But I digress. The point of this post is to show you where you see how the market is doing from your mobile browser. And CNBC is here to help. Use the link below to get to the CNBC mobile website. Just try not to throw your phone when you see the carnage.

Mobile Website:

mobile.cnbc.com

For those that may be unconvinced on the penetration of the mobile web and mobile applications, watch this video from the TechCrunch/August Capital Mobile Web Wars roundtable. You’ll walk away all geeked up, ready to develop apps for the iPhone and maybe even Google’s Android platform.

And for those that still carry around a Motorola Razr, listen to the guy from CrunchGear!

Streaming Video by Ustream.TV

Read more about the event here.

Most mobile websites we hear about tout their mobile web 2.0 features of geolocation, social networking, text messaging, mobilized twitter feeds, and user-generated HD video.

Today’s mobile website pitches workers compensation insurance. Yes, that’s workers compensation insurance.

Mobile Website:

workcomp.mobi

Did you know that people are sharing their personal financial picture for other people to provide feedback? The funny thing is, these users are improving their financial IQ, and it seems to be catching on.

Wesabe is a sort of financial intelligence sharing community for those seeking to improve their money situation. Targeted primarily for 20 and 30 somethings (many of whom have young children), users provide advice and information based on the financial situation of others.

Wesabe has garnered praise from leading publications, including Wired, lifehacker, and WSJ.

I wanted to highlight it here since they recently debuted mobile versions for the iPhone and for mobile browsers in general. There you will be able to view your recent financial transactions, and see what others in the community are recommending. Keep in mind that before browsing to the iPhone or mobile browser versions of the site, you must already have your Wesabe username and password.

Give it a try for yourself. And let us know what you think of the mobile version…

Wesabe Mobile Overview:

https://www.wesabe.com/page/mobile

Mobile Website:

http://m.wesabe.com (Wesabe username and password required)

Mobile Website (iPhone Version):

http://i.wesabe.com (Wesabe username and password required)

Editor’s note: Corrected spelling on 2/25/08. Thanks to Andre for the comment.

As reported by MobileCrunch today, the folks behind the Wall Street Journal launched a mobile application now available for download.

This free application provides access to the latest business news from the Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch.com, and Barron’s, all on your Windows Mobile phone or wireless device. To see if your phone is one of the supported devices, see their list.

Now you can watch your Google stock reach $600 while waiting for your lunch!

WSJ Mobile App:

www.wsj.com/mobiledownload