As always What Mobile will be on the ground in Barcelona, covering the latest and greatest from the world’s most important mobile phone event, Mobile World Congress.
I will be live blogging from the key product launches, alongside our up to the minute reporting of the various roundtables and keynotes that have a consumer technology focus.
Keep checking up on www.whatmobile.net for the latest news, and follow us on Twitter @allanswann @whatmobile and @lxwalls. Be sure to comment on our stories with your thoughts and feedback ‘ and also keep an eye on our Facebook at facebook.com/whatmobilemagazine.
Our sister publication, Mobile News, will be covering the event from a business perspective for those so inclined, @mobilenewsmag.
So what are our tips for a big MWC?
LG’s press conference is at 8am (7am UK time), where they are announcing the LG Optimus G Pro, its latest flagship.
Sony is keeping mum on what its announcing at its 9am Monday launch (8am UK time), but given the upcoming release of the Xperia Z, we expect a mid and low range version of the device, and perhaps a tablet of some kind.
Nokia’s press conference fits nicely between the two, and while it’s unlikely that an entirely new product will be unveiled, some information surrounding the long rumoured Nokia EOS 1000 is expected to be revealed. This sees the first ‘proper’ integration of the full Pureview camera technology released in Pureview 808 ‘ namely, a 41MP sensor.
Huawei and ZTE are also expected to announce some new flagship smartphones as they move out of being strictly budget smartphone makers.
The now Google-owned Motorola has a host of new devices on show ‘ and here’s hoping we see some sign of Phone X (which is expected to be revealed at Google’s own I/O event in May/June).
Whether Google, Samsung and HTC pull out any surprise announcements (they all held or are holding external events) remains to be seen. Apple as usual is not attending.
Given the successes of the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets (made by ASUS and Samsung respectively), we’re hoping that a few more companies, such as Nokia and Sony announce some new devices ‘ competition is key and the market can’t be left to Apple.
Other than the latest and greatest handsets and tablets, and interviews with senior industry figures, What Mobile will also focus on the weird and wonderful gadgets, accessories and other lifestyle gear expected to be on show.
Check out our overview of the last five years of Mobile World Congress here plus some handy phrases should you be attending.
