Want to know what new handsets you’ll be wanting to snap up in a few months time? Then keep your eyes glued for news from Mobile World Congress 2012.
Mobile World Congress 2012
The likes of LG, Sony Mobile, Nokia and HTC will all show of their newest devices, with all eyes focused on finding the next big thing.
But while last year's show saw the debut of 3D technology, improved Android experiences, the first "PlayStation phone" and Samsung's all-conquering Galaxy S II, the jury is out on whether MWC 2012 will grab the headlines again.
Stuart Miles, CEO of Pocket-Lint.com, explained: "With many of the phones already leaked or announced, I don't expect there to be many surprises at this year's show.
"That won't stop manufacturers boasting about their latest devices having even faster processors, even bigger screens and how their connected eco-system is the best to help you join up the dots."
One recurring theme will be Near Field Communication (NFC), a technology enabling users to make mobile payments or exchange information by placing a compatible phone by another or alongside a reader.
It will feature in handsets such as LG's new Optimus 3D Max and while the idea of NFC has already been adopted in the US thanks to the launch of Google Wallet, it's still yet to revolutionise instore transactions here in the UK.
All that could change if rumours of NFC technology in the iPhone 5 are proved true. In the meantime, it means rivals are queuing up to get in there first, before Apple announce that device after the summer.
Visa and Samsung are also expected to use MWC to show off its own joint NFC tech, which will be used at the London Olympics.
Sandra Alzetta, Head of Innovation at Visa Europe, said: “London 2012 is a unique opportunity to show the future of payments coming to life and leave a lasting legacy post-2012.
“We are also working with a number of partners to put live mobile payment technology into consumer hands. We’ve recently announced the certification of a number of major manufacturer handsets for NFC payments, which brings mainstream commercial mobile payments a step closer to reality.”
Another key trend will be larger displays and quad-core processors ensuring more power hungry and feature-laden software and apps can be created.
Last year’s iPhone 4S launch saw its screen fail to get an enlargement and that’s something most experts believe will be rectified with the iPhone 5.
All of this Apple hype means Google must continue to build on the massive growth of its Android operating system.
The recent announcement of the newest version Ice Cream Sandwich is sure to see the big name manufacturers take up the challenge at MWC to show off top-of-the-range models to run it the fastest and make it appear best on screen.
But Jason Jenkins, editor of CNET UK, believes MWC will also feature a rash of cheaper handsets running the software in order to increase its sales and popularity.
He said: "It's relatively easy to put Android software on a new phone, so there will be loads of smaller companies vying for attention - like ZTE, Huawei, Acer and Asus.
"Some of the phones from these companies are very good and very cheap, they tend to appear in the UK branded up by the mobile phone networks like the Orange San Francisco.
"This causes the bigger manufacturers a problem, as these companies can undercut them, but it's great for the consumer, as there is loads more choice."
One big question at MWC 2012 is whether Windows Mobile will manage to make a bigger impact than it has done already? Continually overshadowed by the competition, Microsoft has a tough job on its hands to make its operating system appeal as sexy to the consumer as Android and Apple’s iOS.
Nokia is expected to lend a hand, building on the slim success the Lumia 800 had last year by revealing cheaper entry-level devices to boost the take-up.
Finally, with news that Orange and T-Mobile are about to roll out quicker network speeds and data downloads, the race from 3G mobile technology to superfast 4G looks to have begun.
Everything Everywhere, the company behind the two networks, is planning a small-scale 4G launch by the end of this year with a trial about to start in Bristol. There will also be an interim boost to 3.5G in the meantime, halving the time it'll take for content to be accessed.
This means that while 2013's MWC is likely to be the year we see a major push on 4G handsets, those revealed without this technology embedded right now will soon be obsolete.
Olaf Swantee, CEO at Everything Everywhere, said: “Everything Everywhere’s vision is to launch 4G for Britain as soon as possible, and the roll out of 3.5G HSPA+ and our 4G trials across Britain are major steps towards delivering on that promise.
“Subject to regulatory approval by the spring, Everything Everywhere will be in a position to begin the roll out of 4G before the end of the year. There is a great opportunity for the UK to have the 21st Century network that it so deserves, putting the nation on a level playing field with other parts of Europe, the USA and Asia.”
This massive expo takes place in Barcelona from Sunday until Wednesday and is set to be packed full of all the latest and greatest handheld technology from mobiles to tablets, apps to operating systems, plus games and accessories to suit every taste.
Mobile World Congress 2012 The likes of LG, Sony Mobile, Nokia and HTC will all show of their newest devices, with all eyes focused on finding the next big thing.
But while last year's show saw the debut of 3D technology, improved Android experiences, the first "PlayStation phone" and Samsung's all-conquering Galaxy S II, the jury is out on whether MWC 2012 will grab the headlines again.
Stuart Miles, CEO of Pocket-Lint.com, explained: "With many of the phones already leaked or announced, I don't expect there to be many surprises at this year's show.
"That won't stop manufacturers boasting about their latest devices having even faster processors, even bigger screens and how their connected eco-system is the best to help you join up the dots."
One recurring theme will be Near Field Communication (NFC), a technology enabling users to make mobile payments or exchange information by placing a compatible phone by another or alongside a reader.
It will feature in handsets such as LG's new Optimus 3D Max and while the idea of NFC has already been adopted in the US thanks to the launch of Google Wallet, it's still yet to revolutionise instore transactions here in the UK.
All that could change if rumours of NFC technology in the iPhone 5 are proved true. In the meantime, it means rivals are queuing up to get in there first, before Apple announce that device after the summer.
Visa and Samsung are also expected to use MWC to show off its own joint NFC tech, which will be used at the London Olympics.
Sandra Alzetta, Head of Innovation at Visa Europe, said: “London 2012 is a unique opportunity to show the future of payments coming to life and leave a lasting legacy post-2012.
“We are also working with a number of partners to put live mobile payment technology into consumer hands. We’ve recently announced the certification of a number of major manufacturer handsets for NFC payments, which brings mainstream commercial mobile payments a step closer to reality.”
Another key trend will be larger displays and quad-core processors ensuring more power hungry and feature-laden software and apps can be created.
Last year’s iPhone 4S launch saw its screen fail to get an enlargement and that’s something most experts believe will be rectified with the iPhone 5.
All of this Apple hype means Google must continue to build on the massive growth of its Android operating system.
The recent announcement of the newest version Ice Cream Sandwich is sure to see the big name manufacturers take up the challenge at MWC to show off top-of-the-range models to run it the fastest and make it appear best on screen.
But Jason Jenkins, editor of CNET UK, believes MWC will also feature a rash of cheaper handsets running the software in order to increase its sales and popularity.
He said: "It's relatively easy to put Android software on a new phone, so there will be loads of smaller companies vying for attention - like ZTE, Huawei, Acer and Asus.
"Some of the phones from these companies are very good and very cheap, they tend to appear in the UK branded up by the mobile phone networks like the Orange San Francisco.
"This causes the bigger manufacturers a problem, as these companies can undercut them, but it's great for the consumer, as there is loads more choice."
One big question at MWC 2012 is whether Windows Mobile will manage to make a bigger impact than it has done already? Continually overshadowed by the competition, Microsoft has a tough job on its hands to make its operating system appeal as sexy to the consumer as Android and Apple’s iOS.
Nokia is expected to lend a hand, building on the slim success the Lumia 800 had last year by revealing cheaper entry-level devices to boost the take-up.
Finally, with news that Orange and T-Mobile are about to roll out quicker network speeds and data downloads, the race from 3G mobile technology to superfast 4G looks to have begun.
Everything Everywhere, the company behind the two networks, is planning a small-scale 4G launch by the end of this year with a trial about to start in Bristol. There will also be an interim boost to 3.5G in the meantime, halving the time it'll take for content to be accessed.
This means that while 2013's MWC is likely to be the year we see a major push on 4G handsets, those revealed without this technology embedded right now will soon be obsolete.
Olaf Swantee, CEO at Everything Everywhere, said: “Everything Everywhere’s vision is to launch 4G for Britain as soon as possible, and the roll out of 3.5G HSPA+ and our 4G trials across Britain are major steps towards delivering on that promise.
“Subject to regulatory approval by the spring, Everything Everywhere will be in a position to begin the roll out of 4G before the end of the year. There is a great opportunity for the UK to have the 21st Century network that it so deserves, putting the nation on a level playing field with other parts of Europe, the USA and Asia.”
307 comments