Blog posts tagged with 'world'

Many of the largest Smartphone manufacturers choose to unveil their flagship devices at gala events: following the example set by Apple, they opt to have complete autonomy over their release events. Just this past month, we’ve seen the release of the Blackberry Q10 and Z10 from Blackberry (as well as a name-change from Research In Motion), as well as the long-awaited unveiling of the HTC One, courtesy of simultaneous launch events in London and New York. But even so, there’s one event that every mobile phone manufacturer has to keep a presence at, and that is the annual Mobile World Congress. Every year in February, the top people in the industry make their way to Barcelona for several days to unveil new devices and put on a real show for the public. And though you’re unlikely to see any flagship devices released (the Xperia Z was unveiled at the earlier CES, the HTC One and Blackberry Z10 are already in the public eye, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is almost certain to break cover in March at a gala Samsung event and Apple – naturally – follow their own strict release schedule), you’re still going to see a lot of excellent new devices make their international debut at this prestigious event. Today we’re going to be looking at some of the most highly-anticipated and likeliest devices as we count down to February 25^th and the illustrious Mobile World Congress!

 

 

First up is Samsung, the South Korean conglomerate that’s gained international renown for their Galaxy series of Smartphones. It’s very unlikely that the upcoming Galaxy S4 flagship will see its grand unveiling until March (though rumours are spreading that representatives from carrier companies will get a private chance to see the prototype S4 in action), but Samsung are still scheduled to reveal quite a few new devices. Not many of these relate directly to the mobile market: a range of Smart TVs and Samsung’s own proprietary TV service (a rival for Apple TV) would be a fitting centrepiece for their presence at the MWC. But we still anticipate a number of mid and entry-level Smartphones on the way – the entry-level Galaxy Star is rumoured to arrive shortly. Far more exciting is the news that Samsung will be diversifying the software of its devices: disenfranchised by Google’s acquisition of Motorola and the preferential treatment that Motorola may receive down the line as a result, Samsung is looking to focus less on Android this year and gradually shift the OS of its low and mid-range phones to the Tizen system, which was independently developed primarily by Intel and Samsung themselves. Additionally, Samsung would like to make a splash in the enterprise market with their B2B system, highly secure software that builds upon their previous SAFE (Samsung Approved For Enterprise) platform to make Android handsets more safe to use in enterprise environments. This would bring them into direct competition with both Blackberry and Windows Phone, who have a strong reputation for security and a robust presence in the business market. One thing’s for sure – Samsung are patently unhappy with their reputation for knock-off devices, and are looking to innovate as much as possible to impress their consumer base!

 

 

Next up we’re going to be looking at LG. Unlike Samsung, whose flagship phones are generally released at stand-alone events, LG are looking to unveil a huge range of devices at the MWC. They’ve been providing teasers for weeks now, with a subtle and pervasive advertising campaign that focuses on specific phrases: V for ‘View’ probably refers to the Optimus Vu series of series of handsets, while L for ‘StyLe’ (we thought it was a stretch too!) undoubtedly refers to the upcoming refreshed range of Optimus L phones, featuring imaginatively titled devices like the Optimus L3-2 and Optimus L7-2: hopefully, these are just developmental titles and will be changed on release. F for ‘Freedom’ corresponds to a new, upcoming range of Optimus F devices, while the G for ‘Greatness’ is an obvious reference to the flagship range of Optimus G devices – hopefully, we could be seeing a release of the rumoured LG Optimus G Pro, a refreshed and updated version of the original high-end, quad-core Optimus G! A rumoured range of Windows 8 devices is also on the horizon: while LG was an early adopter of the WP system, their comparative inexperience and some pitiful hardware meant that they abandoned the effort. But with the experience and hard work that long integration with the Android system has brought, LG is perfectly positioned to dip their toe back in the pool and attempt to break into the emerging WP8 marketplace! In particular, we’re expecting some tablets running WP8: model numbers of Z160 and H160 have been leaked and LG are hinting that at least one of their tab books will break cover at the MWC on their official blog. We’re certainly going to be keeping an eye on LG during the proceedings!

 

 

Sony are also going to be maintaining a healthy presence at the Mobile World Congress. Though they unveiled their new flagship Xperia Z Smartphone and some other high-end devices several weeks ago at the annual CES, they’re aiming to round out their selection of phones with some more mid-range Smartphones: details are continuing to leak about a phone codenamed the Sony C680X, also known as the C6802. We don’t have very much information about this phone yet – only the resolution (which is high, at 1080 x 1920) and operating system (Android 4.2). However, given that the Xperia Z is designated C660X, it’s possible that that the 680 designation refers to an updated, higher-end version of the Xperia Z, though we consider this unlikely considering how recently that device was released. It’s more likely that the C680X is the Sony Huashan, a rumoured Smartphone that we wrote about many months ago. Rumours are also circulating that Sony are planning on diversifying into the ‘phablet’ marketplace, with a 6.44 inch display and stylus pen suggested as likely additions to their upcoming device – if this is true, Sony are clearly attempting to launch a serious competitor to take the crown from Samsung’s Galaxy Note 2. The specifications that have been ‘leaked’ for this phablet, codenamed “Togari”, are very impressive: a quad-core 2.3 GHz processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage and a hefty 3500 mAh battery, as well as a 13 Megapixel camera and some interesting Bluetooth experimentation (including NFC and an ‘IR blaster’ functionality which will allow the phablet to be used as a remote when coupled with one of Sony’s Bravia TVs). If this is true, we’d definitely say Sony are one to watch during the MWC, but it would be a strange move to release such a high-end device as this just a few weeks after their so-called flagship phone made its debut – either Sony are trying to dazzle the marketplace with as many top-end Smartphones as possible, or they’re willing to cannibalize part of their own market, which could be a very big blunder in the long run. Only time will tell!

 

 

We haven’t heard much else about the other big names in the Smartphone world: Apple are conspicuously silent, aside from a steady stream of rumours regarding their upcoming iWatch, which will undoubtedly be released at a stand-alone launch event sometime in the future. HTC have already released their flagship One phone and are attempting to consolidate their shaky position in the market, so we’d expect a modest presence from them, and while Nokia have released an exclusive app to help consumers navigate through the MWC (with features such as viewing venue maps without the need for an Internet connection, a live feed with upcoming events and their times noted down, and the ability to share your contact information via NFC, allowing insiders to network with people in the industry), we still haven’t heard anything substantial about new Nokia phones or tablets. Google are reducing their presence at the MWC, with an official statement that they’ll have staff on hand to aid their Android partners but only a modest, two-man booth: as usual, any significant Google announcements are scheduled for their yearly I/O fest in May. And Blackberry, of course, have already released their Z10 and Q10 flagships and are unlikely to make a splash this year. There are a number of smaller companies that are making ripples in the water this year, though – ST-Ericsson are scheduled to debut their new processor, a quad-core monster named the NovaThor L8580. Clocking in at a massive 3 GHz, the NovaThor is rumoured to be able to reach speeds normally reserved for the PC market, and ST-Ericsson have already made the bold claim that it’s the most powerful Smartphone processor to date. Asus have also released a pretty impressive advertisement featuring a UFO landing on the famous Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona, teasing that a ‘metallic miracle’ is on the way. Reading between the lines on their official website, the phrase “when Pad and Phone come together” suggests a possible upgrade or refresh of the Padfone, or even a new phablet altogether.

 

 

There are a huge number of impressive phones and tablets scheduled for release this year, but it looks like 2013 may be the year that the technology that underpins Smartphones and tablets comes to light. With Smartphone and tablet manufacturers opting for stand-alone events for their most impressive devices, the Mobile World Congress is now the primary domain of the telecommunications industry itself – and in our view, the most exciting things scheduled for this year are things such as the NovaThor processor and Samsung’s upcoming enterprise platform. For the first time that we can remember, software is starting to overtake hardware as the most important consideration when purchasing a device, and we couldn’t be more excited!

We’re going to be travelling to Barcelona on Sunday to keep an eye on the event from within, so we’ll keep you updated on how things get on. Don’t forget to keep an eye on our blog - it's the best way of keeping up to date on this year's extravaganza!

It seems like a very long time since Apple’s last Worldwide Developers Conference. Since the 2011 summit, the company has seen a seismic shift in its operations; chief among the upheavals was the stepping down of CEO Steve Jobs (who later died as a result of long-term pancreatic cancer), and his subsequent replacement by Tim Cook - the man Jobs had previously appointed as day-to-day manager of Apple, during his periodic absences. Though many thought that Apple might flounder and fail without its iconic leader at the helm, the brief dip in stock that marked Jobs’ death turned out to be a blip on the radar of their fortunes: their profits have went from strength to strength since, with the iPhone 4S (released on October 14^th in the US and UK) their most profitable Smartphone to date. In terms of expanding their market, though, the 2012 WWDC is expected to mark an even greater upswing in Apple’s fortunes. There are a number of announcements that industry insiders expect Cook to debut at the annual keynote (the central event, and the one which always garners the most media attention). Virtually the entire range of Macs are expected to receive upgrades: the MacBook Air, Pro, and iMac are all slated for update. In addition, we can virtually guarantee the debut of the iOS 6; and a grand unveiling of the most recent OS X upgrade, named Mountain Lion, is practically guaranteed, if you look at the plethora of advertisements that have arisen in the interim. Speculated features are largely expected to counterpoint similar ones in Google Android, including “Mail VIPs” (counterpart to Gmail’s “priority inbox”, which marks e-mails from specifically determined ‘important’ people) and “iCloud Tabs”, which will show which Safari tabs you have simultaneously opened across multiple devices, like your MacBook and iPad. However, despite the customary buzz, there’s no guarantee that WWDC 2012 will mark the grand unveiling of Apple’s most highly-anticipated device, the new iPhone. While it would fall into line with Apple’s ordinary market release cycle, the iPhone 4S bucked the trend when it was released in autumn – it wouldn’t surprise us if that marked Apple’s new release schedule, meaning we could be waiting months for an announcement in that area. Besides, Apple certainly has enough on its plate with the new iOS and OS X announcements: it would be packing in an awful lot of information (even by Apple standards) to reveal the speculated iPhone 5, too. Keep in mind, though, that all of this information is pure speculation, based on Apple’s customary track record at events of this calibre, and our observations of their market expansion – we could be entirely off-base. Like you, we’ll just have to wait and see what Tim Cook pulls out of the bag today!

The yearly Apple Worldwide Developers Conference is always an event than engenders excitement, but this year things are set to be shook up harder than ever before, courtesy of a little device called the iPhone 5 – or, if Apple’s recent naming scheme holds true, “The New iPhone”. But despite Apple releasing their schedule for the event yesterday (with a couple of conspicuous, eyebrow-raising gaps…), there’s been no mention whatsoever of the elusive iPhone 5. They’re remaining extremely tight-lipped about the latest device; in fact, Apple representatives have thus far claimed the chief draws of the 2012 WWDC to be the unveiling of the iOS 6 and their new OS X, christened (or maybe just codenamed) “Mountain Lion”. With that said, the annual centrepiece of the event is the keynote speech, which was traditionally the domain of their late CEO, Steve Jobs – the image of him nonchalantly unveiling new hardware on-stage in his ubiquitous turtleneck sweater is practically synonymous with Apple as a whole. Despite his death late last year, new CEO Tim Cook is expected to take up his mantle on stage during the keynote, scheduled at 10am PDT on Monday the 11^th of June.   With more than 100 sessions to attend, it’s certainly going to be a busy event - which is why Apple has cleverly released a free application for the purpose of tracking session and lab attendance, provide dynamic feedback, and see where the disparate sessions are occurring, ensuring that attendees are able to manage their time at the event more efficiently. Given the power of Apple’s marketing, many of the attendees are guaranteed to possess iPhones, iPads, or even iPod devices with internet capability: they have effectively parlayed their marketing brand into a tool to aid their consumer base. Smart marketing has always been Apple’s real stock-in-trade, though. Whether dominating the online music business with their wildly successful iTunes software, or effortlessly cracking open the Smartphone market with the ubiquitous, omnipresent iPhone, Apple’s global brand is now of the strongest in the world – they trade on their image of minimalism and professionalism, but more than that, they trade on the image of the Apple lifestyle; iLife, if you will. (Or perhaps “LiFE”?) We can speculate on the many things that may be unveiled at the WWDC, but one thing’s for sure – the true centrepiece, keynote speech or no keynote speech, is going to be the way in which Apple unveils their products, not the products themselves.