Mobile World Congress is an opportunity to bring together manufacturers, mobile operators, software companies, and wireless industry experts from across the globe to showcase new devices and services while learning about the hottest new products and mobile trends.
Last year, MWC brought out new devices from most of the major players including Samsung, HTC, Sony Ericsson, and LG. Hot trends and products from 2009 included (and have continued to be) touchscreens, phones as the new ‘all-in-one’ device, the debut of Windows Mobile 6.5, a variety of new apps, 4G, and LTE. Taking place in Barcelona, Spain on February 15-18, Mobile World Congress 2010 is expected to bring on a flood of new products stemming from last years Congress while also bringing in some unique and first-in-their-class devices and apps.
A key player worth mentioning first is Microsoft. Though the company didn’t reveal much at the Consumer Electronics Show last month in Florida, more can be expected at MWC. A press conference will be held on Monday, February 15 hosted by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and companies and consumers alike have been speculating as to what will be unveiled. It can be expected that he will finally show off the result of all of Microsoft’s hard work with its Windows Mobile 7. Rumors have already been leaked involving user interface similar to the Zune HD, full Zune and XBox integration.
An onslaught of mobile devices is a definite as well. Samsung is expected to reveal its new Bada phones as well as introducing some developer tools and new hardware to host its new software and app store system. Though Samsung is entering the smartphone competition relatively late in the game, they are known for their attention to detail and it can be expected that they will pleasantly surprise those at MWC with some innovative features.
Androids, as always, have a huge presence at major technology conferences and there have been many recent rumors regarding new Android-enabled phones that will be hitting the market. LG and Motorola among other companies have promised Android releases and this year at MWC, it can be expected that many of these devices will pop up including the Dell Mini 3, the LG GT540, the Sony Ericsson Experia X10, and the Mobile Internet Device (MID) called the M1 from Inbrics.
Google CEO, Eric Schmidt, will be giving the keynote speech at MWC, hopefully inspiring third party developers to take full advantage of web and service content opportunities that Google and its partners are currently paving the way for. MWC will also be the perfect place for Google to kick off their new Nexus range with the unveiling of Nexus 2, currently rumored to be a Motorola-made handset with a slide out QWERTY.
In 2009, MWC hosted 47,000 mobile professionals from 182 countries, including all the serious players in the mobile world. This year, MWC is hoping for even more attendees and participants and it can be expected that there will be some unexpected unveilings and announcements as well. Only time will tell.
