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Microsoft introduced its Tag Reader, Fring was the first with video conferencing for Android smartphones and Firefox unveiled its long-awaited Home for the iPhone.

It’s been a pretty good week for mobile apps. There have been some major developments. Let’s take a look at the pick of the bunch so far:

Microsoft Tag Reader:

Microsoft Tags (or barcodes) can be added to posters, product packages, flyers, websites, billboards and clothing. When scanned by a mobile smartphone camera, the Tag automatically opens a webpage, displays a message, or dials a number. 



Tags – which are currently free to scan and create – can be accessed on a number of mobile phones, including Windows Mobile, J2ME, iPhone, BlackBerry, Symbian 96 and Android.

Firefox Home for the iPhone:

Although Firefox Home is not a “full browser,” it enables Internet surfers to access their personal FF history, bookmarks and open tabs on their iPhones.

According to Mozilla, Firefox Home is part of a “broader effort” to provide a more “personal” Web experience with improved user control.

Fring Video Conferencing for Android:

Fring has enabled free, two-way Internet video calling for Android-based devices. The company already offers the same service to Nokia (Symbian S60) and iPhone/iPod touch owners.

Fring is a peer-to-peer Mobile VoIP based internet telephony network founded by Avi Shechter, formerly co–CEO of ICQ.

The platform allows users to talk and chat using Skype, ICQ, Google Talk, MSN Messenger/Windows Live Messenger, AIM and Yahoo Messenger.

Skype video conferencing for Android:

Although Fring already offers free, two-way Internet video calling for Android-based smartphones, Skype is busy prepping its own mobile video conferencing app.