Mobile World Congress: The Next Evolution of Smartphones

Summary:
Mobile World Congress is an international trade show for smartphones internationally. From today, February 26th, to March 1st, major smartphone companies, like HTC and LG, will be announcing the next step in smartphones in Barcelona, Spain. Now this is a major event for Android (maybe because they make up most of the booths) as this is the introduction of a new standard in smartphones and a major release in the smartphone market.


New technologies include the introduction of Quad-core processors, which will make these new phones powerhouses and allow for the development of some new crazy, power-intensive applications. Larger, higher-resolution screens that are currently surpassing the resolution of some laptops. There will also be the movement toward the Android Operating system, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, into a variety of phones (Ironically there is currently only 1 phone with this operating system and it has only been out for almost 2 months).


Smartphones aren't the only ones taking it to the next level, tablets are also expected to be announced at MWC. So far, Samsung has already released the the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, which is basically a tablet about the size of the iPad with a stylus that has a little bit more functionality like doodling and notes.


Analysis:
This event seems huge and I don't wan't to miss a thing. I want to see how the addition of Quad-Core phones will change the applications that are to be released. What I also found really cool (Fun Fact:) is that Samsung actually just released a phone with a projector on its bottom, I'm not necessarily sure how convenient that is, but hey that's definitely something show off on your phone. What i personally like about this is that these phones come out at the approximate time my contract ends, so one of these newly announced phones may be mine.


I'll make sure to keep an eye out for any game-changers, but for now it looks like LG is conquering with powerhouse phones that are definitely going to have an impact on the future smartphone markets.


So will Samsung remain #1? Will they release any game-changing products? Or Will LG dominate the battlefield? Stay tuned to find out!


Reflection Questions:
What new things do you think will come with these new phones? What are you expecting/ want to see? What's your favorite smartphone brand?


Source: Baig, Edward C., . "Big mobile show kicking off in Barcelona." http://www.usatoday.com. USA Today, 2012. Web. 26 Feb 2012. <  http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/edwardbaig/story/2012-02-24/mobile-world-congress/53233132/1  >.
            T., Nick. (2012, 02 26). www.phonearena.com. Retrieved from http://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-Galaxy-Note-10.1-is-real-more-evidence-surfaces_id27318

Customization

Summary:


What I've found is that Android is much more customizable than all the other mobile operating system. For instance android devices offer home pages that you design with app, shortcuts, moving wallpapers, and widgets, which are large items that go beyond the icon and are much more interactive. Besides homescreens there is a variety of phones out there that come in every, color, shape, size, price, and logo. There are many different android companies selling android devices each with their own little touch to it. For instance, a Samsung Android will have a different style of apps and homescreens than an HTC android. so no matter what your looking for, their is a way to make your android your own personal device.


Analysis: 


I believe this is important when purchasing a smartphone for 2 years. Why buy a cookie-cutter product when you can get something for you. Other mobile devices like iPhones really only offer pages of apps with little customization except for a wallpaper, unless you hack into it which is risky.  I personally don't like one-size-fits all and would prefer to change anything and everything at will. I wonder what other companies consider customization and if they can offer more.


Reflection Questions:


How much can you really customize? What would you customize on your phone? How far can you go?


Source: "News | Little Green Robot." Little Green Robot - The Android Magazine Blog. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk/category/news/>.

My reason for picking Android.

Android is not alternative, it's not a "no-name brand". It's owns more of the smartphone market than iPhone, but is still considered #2. I am personally interested in Android more than other people. Android is interesting because it's not comparable to iPhone it's different from iPhone. There is not 1 phone every year from one brand, there 5 major brands and many smaller ones each unique under one unified platform. It's not pages of apps, it's pages of shortcuts, widgets, and pure customization. There is no one type of home screen, lock screen, or app drawer, there are hundreds that you simply download and customize as much as you want, the way you want. Android is like clicking the home button on the iPhone to take it to the next level.


As I mentioned before, I know more and care a little bit more about Android than most people, I keep track of any news and I will help or inform anyone who needs help or information. I first became interested in Android in the summer of 2010 and I've loved it since. I got my first Android phone in December 2010 and I still love it today. I've analyzed every point comparing Android to iOS and I know I made the right decision. I've read enough articles and watched enough videos to where I want to write about this and I know this blog is going to be a good one.