The World Mobile World Congress in Barcelona is kicking off with Nokia, Intel and Microsoft set to deliver keynote addresses.HTC is desperate to get attention as sales have been slipping of late with the Company already leaking several new devices including the new HTC One S, E and X.
All the three devices are expected to run on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. They are likely to be released in Q2 of 2012 with Telstra tipped to be already testing the devices.
The HTC One X will pack a new a 1.5GHz quad-core Tegra 3 processor which should make it a very fast Smartphone.
Other phones coming from Samsung include the Galaxy S Blaze 4G, Galaxy S Ace 2 and Mini 2. Further, there is speculation about an upgraded version of Samsung’s Galaxy S2.
Samsung chose to cancel their planned press conference, however it has been rumoured that they may give a sneak preview to partners such as Optus, Vodafone and Telstra of their much-touted Galaxy S III.
Nokia who is currently carving up the Windows market with small volume share plans to reveal at least two Window phones including the Lumia 610 and a second version of the Lumia 900 which is tipped to be 4G.
The Lumia 900 is going to have the same specs as the current model with the exception of an upgraded 8 megapixel camera and a 4.3″ AMOLED ClearBlack display.
Microsoft may use the show after pulling out of the CES event to unveil an operating system targeted at desktops and notebooks. Windows 8 is also rumoured to foster considerably tighter integration with Windows Phone. Microsoft has “gone big” with its renaissance mobile platform in each of the last two Mobile World Congresses. In fact, Windows Phone 7 debuted there two years ago.
LG, who SmartHouse believes is looking to expand their mobile communication division in Australia after poor sales during the past two years, is really making an effort to jump back into the mobile communication market.
The company has released eight phones last week, including the Optimus 3D Max, Optimus Vu, three L-Style handsets, and Optimus 4X HD. The Optimus 4X HD should be the most promising of the pack with a Tegra 3 quad-core processor and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
It is not known which of these devices will be launched in Australia however there is a powerful quad core-powered X3 in the offing which has already been offered to one carrier.
It has been rumoured that the device is expected to run on a quad-core Tegra 3 processor with a large 4.7-inch 720p display, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, dual cameras with the rear one having an 8 megapixel sensor. To top it all, the LG phone is expected to pack in a powerful 2,000mAh battery.
Sony who is looking to establish a name for them in the mobile market without Ericcson is expected to bring Xperia U and Xperia P Android phones. The P would have a 4-inch screen and a 1GHz, dual-core ST-Ericsson processor, and the U is rumoured to be a more affordable phone with a 3.5-inch display and a 5-megapixel camera.
Huawei is expected to make some announcements. Acer has also announced the launch of its unique Liquid Glow handset targeted at the entry-level crowd. Motorola seems slated to have a very small presence at the show.
