MWC 2012: The Ultimate Lowdown17 February 2012
Rumours, secrets and caffeine abuse - What to expect from Mobile World Congress
With Mobile World Congress (MWC) kicking off in Barcelona in just a few days, we've already packed our sombrero and done various other stereotypical and mildly racist things. Our calendar's packed with dozens of booth tours, so we'll be clambering up at the break of dawn (around 10am) to bring the hottest hands-on previews of the latest smartphones and tablets.
So what are we expecting to be announced? Well, you may have noticed a fair few rumours knocking around our news section recently, and some manufacturers have got a little overexcited and spilled their surprises already. Here's what to look out for!
Mobile World Congress (MWC) Cheat Sheet
What: One of Europe's biggest technology expos, focusing on mobile tech such as smartphones and tablets
Where: Fira Montjuic, Barcelona
When: Monday 27th February - Thursday 1st March 2012
The low-down: Mobile Choice will be racing around the MWC halls like an excitable puppy on Class A drugs, covering as much of the action as humanly possible. Expect video previews, shock announcements, surprise, intrigue, and scenes containing mild peril. And tapas.
Mmm...tapas<
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The Low-Down on Each Manufacturer
Acer
Acer's CloudMobile handset, which has already won an iF Design Award thanks to its sexy stainless steel finish, will be shown off for sure. It's slim, it rocks a 4.3-inch HD display and apparently runs Android Ice Cream Sandwich. We're expecting great things.
Acer should also be showing off its latest tablets, the Acer Iconia Tab A200 and Iconia Tab A510. The Tabs have been hit-and-miss in the past, but hopefully Acer has learnt from its mistakes to produce a worthy iPad alternative.
Alcatel One Touch
Alcatel just announced its One Touch 282, an oldie-friendly Android phone with a smart, simple interface and a built-in SOS feature. We're expecting this device and perhaps some others to emerge during MWC.
Apple
As usual, the fruity iPhone manufacturer won't be attending, preferring to launch the iPad 3 on its own terms. Rumours are strong that the new iPad will emerge mid-March, so keep your browsers pointed at Mobile Choice for the latest gossip.
Asus
The Asus PadFone is a mysterious beast, still skulking in the shadows, but we're expecting a smart tablet
smartphone hybrid like the Motorola Atrix.
HTC
HTC's new flagship smartphone has experienced a bit of an identity crisis. First it was the HTC Edge, then the HTC Endeavour, then the HTC Endeavor, and now it's completely changed again. We're expecting a supremely powerful quad-core processor, along with an 8MP camera and Android Ice Cream Sandwich. Tasty.
In more general rumours, HTC could be producing handsets that are compatible with the Sony Entertainment Network. This means you'll be able to download classic PlayStation games onto your mobile. HTC is also rumoured to be working on a new music streaming service working in conjunction with Beats Audio. Perhaps it'll all become clear at MWC.
Huawei
Details are slim, but we're expecting a quad-core monster phone to be unleashed, currently going under the name Huawei Ascend D1 Q. Catchy.
LG
So many rumours, so little time. LG has been tight-lipped about its MWC plans, but we're expecting all sorts including a new 3D handset (currently dubbed the LG Optimus 3D Max), a beastly quad-core smartphone (possibly called the LG P880) and a Windows Phone dubbed the LG Miracle.
We wouldn't be surprised if even more smartphones came scuttling out from under the covers, and of course we'll cover every dang last one of them.
Motorola
The Americans have been surprisingly quiet so far, but just this week we saw images of an Intel-powered smartphone emerge. It's thin, it packs Google Ice Cream Sandwich, and the camera is rumoured to be something special.
Nokia
Despite busying itself with recent Lumia releases, Nokia is rumoured to be unveiling six new handsets at MWC. More Lumias are expected, as well as the Nokia 808 PureView (successor to the nifty little Nokia N8) and some Asha handsets. If the rumours are true, our fingers are going to be withered and useless from typing at the speed of light during Nokia's launch event. Cheers guys.
Samsung
Just a month ago, we were expecting phone launches galore from the Koreans, including the Samsung Galaxy SIII, the Samsung Galaxy SII Plus and a million other Galaxy branded devices. Then last week happened, and Samsung announced it wasn't showing off any new kit at MWC. That's zero, zilch, bugger all.
At first we thought it was a joke, but Samsung officially cancelled its launch event. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 has already been unveiled, and it looks like we'll be waiting a while longer for more Samsung smartphones.
Sony
After its recent split with Ericsson, Sony will want to prove to the world that it can make damn good phones all on its own, by gum. The Xperia S will be the big news. We've already had a hands-on, so we know the deets, but we're expecting some other Sony phones to emerge too, including an Xperia U and Xperia P.
What happens when they've used up every letter of the alphabet? We're not too sure. Perhaps the universe will implode?
ViewSonic
Beefy, rugged smartphones are the new horses in ViewSonic's stables. Expect tough, durable mobiles that can survive a sandstorm, or even a wild night out in Luton.
The latest ViewPad tablets will also be on show, and we're hoping for more like the ViewPad 7x, a surprisingly solid media machine.
We'll be updating the Mobile Choice website throughout Mobile World Congress with the latest news, hands-on videos and reviews of the delicious tapas. Check back every day for more!
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