Looking Ahead To Mobile World Congress 2011Looking Ahead To Mobile World Congress 2011

Top 10 Mobile Stories Of 2010

Mobile World Congress is when all the players -- handset makers, network operators, software developers, service providers -- gather in Europe to show off their latest technology and set the stage for the mobile industry as we head into 2011. Do any of them have any major surprises in store?

To be sure, the week is packed with keynotes and press conferences from some of the leading executives and companies in mobility, including Microsoft, RIM, Google, Samsung, LG, HTC, T-Mobile, ZTE, and many, many more. Hardware makers will reveal their latest handsets; network operators will pitch their fastest mobile broadband networks; applications and services will continue their migration to the cloud; and the battle for both enterprise and consumer dollars will wage on.

information doesn't believe anything wildly new and exciting is going to happen at this year's show, but that doesn't mean it's going to be a boring confab. There are two things you can expect to hear a lot of: Android and 4G. Everything else will just be filler.

No Sign Of Android Slow-Down

Android's momentum will be on full display at Mobile World Congress (MWC), with new handsets on tap from companies such as LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, ZTE, HTC, Motorola, and Dell. Many of these new smartphones -- especially hardware from Samsung and HTC -- will be at the super phone end of the scale, with good looks and killer spec sheets.

Samsung has promised big things for its press conference, which takes place on Sunday. Expect executive J.K. Shin to take the stage and talk about nothing but Android, Android, Android. Not only will Samsung show off its latest Android handsets, but it is also prepared to announce a new version of the Galaxy Tab.

HTC, too, will have big things for us at its press conference, scheduled for Tuesday. CEO Peter Chou will show us the company's latest Android smartphones, and possibly even an Android-based tablet.

It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone if, by the time MWC 2011 shuts its doors, there are a dozen new Android smartphones in the pipeline for release later this spring.

Noteworthy Keynotes

Trade shows aren't trade shows without giving executives a chance to get on stage and preach their vision. MWC 2011 offers a range of keynotes from executives from around the globe.

Be sure to pay attention to Microsoft's Steve Ballmer, who is speaking Monday afternoon. Ballmer may share details on Windows Phone 7's initial success as well as what the market can expect of Microsoft and WP7 as the year progresses. If we're really lucky, he'll talk about Microsoft's tablet strategy. And, depending on what Nokia announces at its capital markets day on Friday, Ballmer may invite a special guest to share the stage with him.

Top 10 Mobile Stories Of 2010

On Tuesday, Google CEO Eric Schmidt will take the stage once again. During his 2010 keynote, Schmidt did not receive a warm welcome from the crowd. Hopefully, the audience will be more attentive (or at least more polite) given all that Android has done for the mobile industry this past year. Schmidt might also reveal a new feature or two for the Android platform. Don't expect to hear about any new major versions of Android.

Wednesday, RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie takes the stage. Don't expect him to discuss much other than the company's PlayBook tablet, which is set for release in the coming weeks. Balsillie might use MWC as the stage to announce the PlayBook's availability in markets around the world. Will he? I'd prefer to hear about RIM's smartphone strategy, but I won't hold my breath.

Mobile Payments

Expect to hear a lot more about mobile payment technology, trials, and deployments at this year's MWC. Google's Schmidt, in particular, may use his keynote slot to pitch near-field communications (NFC) as the world's default mobile payment system. Google has added support for NFC to its Android platform, which means Android smartphones will be able to make contactless payments at (properly equipped) retail locations.

The GSMA, the trade association that hosts MWC, has used the last few events to nudge industry companies to play nice when it comes to mobile payment systems. Given the number of players that all need to work together to make mobile payments work, the GSMA is sure to speak up.

Perhaps Isis, the venture backed by the likes of Visa, will provide a status report. Isis is a project underway with the support of banks, handset makers, and network operators in order to make NFC payments a reality in the U.S.

Mobile payments aren't limited to NFC-based systems, however. Plenty of financial institutions and providers in developing countries are turning to mobile devices as personal payment systems in lieu of cash.

No-No-Notorious Nokia

Nokia is the world's largest maker of mobile devices, but its share has eroded swiftly with competition from the likes of Apple and Google. On Friday, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop announced plans to put Nokia back on the right track.

His announcement will cast a pall over the entire event, and will be the talk of the town, so to speak. Nokia is a giant in the industry, and used to be the leader in terms of innovation. Now, it is the follower. For it to put its tail between its legs and admit its mistakes takes guts. The question is, will Nokia's new plan be enough? Will it give Nokia and its partners and customers the confidence they need to move forward in a positive direction? Make no mistake, Nokia's troubles are not to be taken lightly. Elop has a tough job ahead of him, and tongues will be wagging in Nokia's direction throughout the event.

Top 10 Mobile Stories Of 2010

Taking 4G's Temperature

Today's 4G networks are still in their infancy. Verizon's LTE network launched in December, AT&T's launches this summer, and T-Mobile is expected to hop on the LTE train in 2012. Verizon Wireless used MWC 2009 to announce its plans to use LTE for its 4G network. Expect Verizon Wireless to provide a status update on its LTE deployment and where it might reach by the end of the year.

Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile aren't the only network operators firing up the 4G generators. A number of operators across Europe have committed to deploying LTE. LTE equipment providers will also be on hand to discuss their latest gear and pitch it to the carriers.

Expect to see some discussion about 4G data pricing, too. With LTE networks just getting on their feet, pricing models are anything but firm. And what about LTE roaming between countries?

Appy Trails

This year's MWC marks the second appearance of the App Planet exhibit, in addition to developer conferences. Applications for mobile devices are as much a part of the ecosystem as the handsets themselves, and they'll be given more space and more clout at this year's show.

MWC 2011 will surely reveal hundreds if not thousands of new applications for mobile platforms small and large. We're not just talking Angry Birds here, we're talking everything from new weather apps for consumer phones to the most complicated enterprise IT policy enforcement software that can manage thousands of devices.

Let's not forget about app store logistics. All the work that takes place behind the scenes to deliver applications to myriad handsets on myriad networks takes a not-so-small army. We'll hear from that army and its suppliers on the state of app stores and their successes.

Mobile World Congress 2011 will be an exciting week. information is looking forward to covering the event live from Barcelona in order to bring you the hottest trends, breaking news, and in-depth analysis as everything unfolds.

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