Dialed In Ep. 211: The Mobile World Congress lowdown

Mobile world congress the largest mobile companies -- the rest of west. West is running or -- 27 through march 1 and Barcelona Spain that's next week. And it is hear about some of the hottest phones around the globe -- first announced and we already expect to see at least when he -- Smartphones and tablets emerged. With more surprises -- to come this week we take a closer look at the Android and windows devices that we think we'll see. And we also share some news stories of the day and answer your burning questions. So this is dialed in CNET cellphone podcast I'm just adult court joined by -- a lot in San Francisco. And by Brian Bennett in New York. Yes and -- edition is our technical producer so lot of everybody. Okay so mobile world congress and dimension is coming up we are gonna be there on the ground and I'll be there at Kent German we've got -- new threats as well -- and Brian are going to be covering it from New York content Francisco so we've got all times and -- And some of the -- that will definitely be emerging are gonna be Quad Core and ice cream sandwich for -- it's time. I swear we're gonna hear a lot more ice -- image phones for CES and not just happened with -- -- he does. Failed predictions the -- but we -- they're happening I'm so I as you know we don't have time to talk about alt when he line. Leaked or rumored devices that we think are coming -- but what are you most excited to see. One -- I'm definitely excited to see anything -- Quad -- and so. Com I know we talked about summit and I HTC devices that -- Become announced a fiscal tablets that make -- with Quad Core on the thing want to see that I wanna see. I'm very curious and I'm sure a lot of our listeners -- exactly how fast. A Quad Core will be over over traditional world against boring and ordinary. Dual core phones are announced. Yeah that's true I mean a lot of it does -- announced that processed there and how tasks are managed and it's not. Exactly clear if Quad Core automatically means double that's what it means in theory but it is that what is really gonna come out to -- And to see Quad Core perform verses some single core processors for example windows phones. That's true -- also mean there's the and a multi optimists -- or. -- -- you through and I wanna save through because it failed to sounds like French or something at a but it but that I believe that. Is supposed to be. Quad cores right no no no it's what have -- -- big mass of five inch screen. And it's was to be sort of -- LD's answer to the galaxy note so now beach and see how about -- So I want the stylus with moderately new kind of beaten keeping your -- on this one. That LG optimists view. And it says it's really it's -- it's -- Look at them and I guess I'm just excited because it's just -- and now the only one out there with the stylus with the big. -- on screen and this well. Be good for someone who doesn't warrant. Exactly with the Samsung galaxy offerings and offices -- from LG that people. -- this makes me wonder you know. LG and Samsung pretty much has -- -- there -- doing in order for the use five -- stylus. Things to come out and pretty soon after each other I I guess. Samsung hand in nine -- -- On algae since they introduced there is that -- -- -- conference in September. -- it we also heard about at the Samsung galaxy -- ten point one which would actually be a tablet. So it seems like. The phone makers are trying to -- create this category -- not around the circumcised that around. A stylus that lets you do more with it trying to get the developers on board to come up with interesting ways to interact with -- fountain. Now I'm not my client by -- -- sort of thing yeah right don't tablets tablet I don't know neighbor Canada you took let. I mean you and I have both used the same thing out you know for the last week at what are your thoughts on -- violence and using in general. Well -- you know right now working on -- though little story on how I'm surviving after a week of just using the note as my primary phone or tablet or whatever it is and -- my feelings at the stylist is actually you know what it's actually not so bad calm as -- announced as I thought it would be because amusing with the called ask him. To you know write notes arm and says. To two song as you stay within the the little grid there that you're supposed to enter text -- with that that the pen. It actually does. Right and and recognize. -- -- handwriting. Decently well though it it does get attacked confused. Com and that's that's really in knowing it's not it's not as easy as writing on on a piece of -- Wiki there and I actually did sort of an in depth writing test since I actually do you write things. By hand. Yeah and I -- grew he said soups or rent -- -- two posts as well. -- I noticed that -- you can actually hectic past of buttons or other buttons on the side flick your finger brushes against. Them on the bottom of -- when writing. You know you have to be careful it's it's it's almost lake you know you have to really. Kind of learn how to write all over again and away from which is rich kind of defeats the purpose but -- it is it is cool to say go into. Evernote or when these sort of a note taking apps and be able to. Jot down quick little reminders for yourself in near you're using the pen type of device and to me that that actually really feels good you know. Feels it can actually writing animal -- -- Com. But it's still has some way to go on especially since you have to use -- -- keyboard to. Actually yeah. Put in that in the pen input. You can't just go from the Android keyboard or swipe percent right exactly. Yeah so so it's sort of not quite as we -- where I'd like it to be but it. -- like it or not we're doubling in -- the same thing in the algae optimists view rumor. Definitely expecting to see about it mobile world congress LG has another phone that leaked as well lend money and tickets through Allen real fast gets to that LGX -- and and basically screen shots of it at least and and it says that there -- will be running a tegra three chip which is. -- Also a Quad Core processing and will be the only look at its for what we know the only other phone besides HTC. One excel have a Quad -- process right and so this HTC -- -- talking about I'm Brian and I it. Give us the lowdown on that and could be called the one acts rate but it used to be -- -- the million other net. Extra -- to have her exactly yeah and the million -- -- -- either the endeavor or the screen that edge supreme monument here that one before he makes me think of I think -- about its -- excitement. This. Well you know I don't know a song as it has the universal core that's that's pretty much the prime arm core -- or our -- our seat I just conditions aren't enough. And I know who are really was was it a year ago dual core phones were good and -- and deal now it is Quad Core reckoning them. You know say that fast enough but but yes socialists have Quad Core. Power arm and and actually. You know the whole thing is that this device BT's did -- -- -- mobile world congress. In teaser invite that they sent out. Com saying that it's gonna you know revolutionize the way everybody computes and everything like that. -- and that press event I'm believes it happened on the 26 at 9 PM I think its local time corrects. Name that sounds about -- So I examined -- befuddled and dynamic calendar and like I entered in the Spanish names and page has upcoming calendar and Pacific time so I don't know -- anything. Yeah I mean all it says that it it kind of has this cryptic now post card with a bunch of pictures and you know sort of pleasing -- there's -- a picture capped in one corner and a just a raspberry and flowers flowers and our team on the borders. -- and it index finger pointing. At a beach I mean you know page that sounded Indian missionary. And in. It insert revolutionary product here you know -- that -- -- phone and we expect a four point seven inch screen. Nvidia tegra three Quad Core processor. What else do we have there. Let's see basically. Camera and -- -- only one -- -- -- -- -- to. Are immune to twelve megapixel camera -- just the treatment -- -- -- shot and a could definitely be seen more camera power we could be -- I had actually is sixteen megapixel camera of the titans. So we could see something like that here -- it seems like twelve is going to view and -- -- I think. I mean I think you can still have a perfectly made -- eight megapixel camera I think -- got to be careful with twelve and sixteen not to -- and equality repression would be the worst problem -- -- makers. That's true and so there is also today HTC. One -- slash bill slashed. Maybe pre now I know that his name going around for awhile. So -- -- -- also house one point five gigahertz but that's a dual core. Qualcomm processor right right. That's right that's right dual core one point five -- its dual core on four -- at four point three inch display. Com and you know actually I don't think there's any -- word yet as to its immunized from -- non. I would expect you know most of the phones coming out of the show and how I -- better at business. Exactly I mean you better your life considerations when -- -- meeting -- meeting -- -- -- -- -- there's also V Droid three incredible that we year heard something about. It is. -- Lindsey -- -- -- in the line in the final. -- It's an a lot of other at the heat that can run -- -- -- made in the bids in space readiness. And one in in the for any here islands in the flash. In somebody's somebody's. And so what about this. When we knew about it. Problems we. Ice cream it just -- elderly -- a dual core one point two gigahertz processor eight megapixel camera. Verizon Verizon Verizon. Verizon isn't having a press conference. Each yeah that's kind of it is it -- -- design figure. Verizon -- so. Non -- not a European carrier so. Insisting that that would be content and yet but where was present last year they were at mobile world congress with a huge -- That's crazy I mean that's the wild why would -- You know what's their votes their purpose there palm's just get in -- national. And expanding or. Now I mean very US carrier I think they're just doing it because mobile world congress is such a huge legacy other India over a thousand people -- -- -- -- so sorry. So it ever was trying to make an impact their -- can you know make sure that everyone is paying attention as the rooms and -- humans -- exactly. And the press are all there but there -- cameras. That's true so we know that Sony is going to have something they had bought out Sony Ericsson. There. Partner and a joint venture and now we're gonna have Sony Xperia phones are a press conference. And they've also registered for the name. For the -- trademark experience Sola. They're not sure what that's gonna bring and it's something I Nokia is also can you be having a press conference and they're going to have. Something. Hyannis at least one. May be more. Samsung has already come out -- out C -- two and galaxy mini to information. And Wii party now that ZTE has a couple phones up its sleeve including I love this went memos so most. I don't actually know if I love that Europe I just love the moxie and using them -- a. I I think that's the next trend many minutes gonna everything's you know it's going to be cocktails and set aside in Atlanta. -- Access through -- it's on ice clear jelly bean -- -- -- mamma so I haven't EG Tom Collins he. -- -- -- -- -- -- Yeah that's right -- suburban and when you just can't polyps hours that are read. If it can you you meet that -- -- now salaries suite. -- -- -- Com I just say business on this list but really quickly of we also caught wind of of -- LG also coming out with a some new to them optimists. On devices with ice -- -- with -- and other than the view. And you -- like I mean its its insisting it's rumor but it was taken from LT sites. Are proposed summit but it looks like the site link has disappeared. At that was basically the optimists. It's part of the whole -- -- line. Huntsman replica -- three devices that -- this file to the -- on the optimists. -- seven I think -- -- -- -- but it's basically three devices. Without one's gonna have a four point four point oh inch screen of four point three inch screen. On those who are gonna have ice cream sandwich and a smaller one it's gonna happen 3.2. Inch screen serving our high end -- more mid ranged. There's to -- -- Three devices one's gonna be high end. -- one's gonna be I guess mid range like that nearly a month found dead and then the other one Stephanie lo and just write more portable. Com you know it's on it's only -- have gingerbread. Com so so yeah but of course that's that they L. Nothing nothing needs to be coming out into -- and -- it is cheap cheap cheap. Which are yet -- it sounds pretty cheap so let's see if LG has those three op de mining and development. And that X three algae could be -- big winner which makes sense because CES was a really. Open them but were not hearing anything. Motorola. Yeah I'd doesn't look like -- a they're gonna have anything outside of the stuff that came out of spa. CES which is not a surprise because they said they were gonna slow things -- -- and -- and we definitely are going to see something. Xperia come out at Sony and Sony gets more aggressive in the mobile phone category. Okay so us stick with us next week and and stick with us now we're just gonna go on a short break and we'll come back with news of the day. We are back you're listening dispute dialed in and we've got some quick hits news from and the day and an earlier -- currently -- last week. For example the Samsung galaxy asked to love fest continues this time US cellular. It's their version of being insanely popular phone that has -- our party's old. Over thirty million devices worldwide and speaking of US cellular they're pushing ahead with their forward -- LTE plans. -- now they only have a three G network and Apple changed sometime in the near future. In other news -- TC. Will grant more US phones with ice cream sandwich has ginger -- is so old. And am they'll -- for Verizon Wireless on a student finance and there and to be that -- -- -- and -- and gun in making these Fed's. -- to automate various. They should block drivers from texting and tweeting and surfing the US Department of Transportation has proposed guidelines that would limit driving activities. To test driving as we should be. -- -- -- -- And our next we've got -- -- dish networks actually looking to shop. Not the air new -- -- their spectrum out to on other folks who -- it and they're looking for. Not a waiver from FCC two and hopefully they -- farm out that spectrum to other folks media. -- lightsquared perhaps since they were denied death by the FCC to expand their network. -- and then also admits news from Blackberry from rim Blackberry Playbook. OS two actually is out today a yes which -- doesn't care enough. I'm now I care can have a playback I guess they got it Italy in 99 dollar. -- and it's true. That's true apparently it only. Brings. The OS up to the level it should have been when it first launched -- that basically -- email and contacts and calendar. Access. Already built in in the -- what a concept him. -- -- Arm and also maybe -- few Android support for Android apps though. All I care about personally is up Kindle or some sort of a Google book reader something like that Mel -- says. So back in our review world out when review last week. That we didn't talk about in the previous show and that was the camp -- burst for AT&T. I took a look at this lion but Lynn actually knows it very welcome she -- at CES and it comes in new colors ruby red and titanium. This is a really great phone it's fifty dollars for AT&T it's got LTE it's got a four inch really beautiful super amoled display. It's got -- Interface on top of that. On which I found it pretty easy used very friendly you know it's it's similar to the other -- -- unlock screen and things like that you configure external lot of surprises with this phone I just think it's overall really nice and it's got sort of that. Stylish design and that's really nice feel to it and the backing him that it would with a grain and yet those plastic but has -- been near -- And I mean for fifty -- she'd be probably pretty happy with. -- -- plastic phone and I feel like intact really actually tried to do something with it. So call quality and was -- Mac and battery life also not as great as it should be ahem. We're gonna continue doing tests on that but I think that the design is really solid futures are really I mean it's got a dual core one point five here Hertz processor and this is really hard to get for fifty -- forcing a lot more phones like that. AT&T it is starting -- make a name for itself as a destination for this kind of budget phone. There's a lot of competition that for fifty packs a pretty day it'd be really good for a little bit more than fifty -- -- for 99 dollars by. I think the fact that it's fifty dollars is going to get people interested in a brand -- has so far cruised -- -- -- low orbit. So -- I have and TUZ ET phones that have -- music included the DTE chorus and CTE score that's coming. -- -- -- -- Well I'm actually got a -- once have headsets with something that people don't think not a lot probably but the -- As these you know devices become more and more light could have -- functional. You know Bluetooth headset is actually quite he. Instinct device to use our right now I'm checking out the job or sport which is media. Reorganized. Bluetooth wireless handset. Com just reviewed the job for a us supreme which is just plain mono headset with fancy features. Obama in -- -- -- gets more into so stay tuned. And -- -- last week. We were lamenting that we didn't have any email love that this week we actually have to human needs so we evils here and you're likely -- -- we we urge you guys -- -- -- hard and. It seems like everybody was go on vacation. -- on the week before but this week everybody is back in asking lots of questions. So -- the first question we have that received was -- from. Dot com and that's how you pronounce name and the -- and okay awesome and we have an -- -- foam. Could be. Well die anyway so Tom says steeple allotments that you Obama's promise you. -- after few cocktail. After entering figures CTI. If you backup of my main -- suburban arm. So yeah so so Tom actually. Is asking -- arm whether knots. -- you know he heard our podcast last week and he he -- talk about forty sliders and usually -- it in -- in QWERTY. That you portraits -- a slider which. Which to me -- is very strange but. -- -- -- He said -- was ever so briefly raised by me and then shot down by Brian. Right and I'm like yeah. And and. U cores aren't you know a portrait sliders well. He doesn't like the torch which which makes sense armed but then you know actually -- -- sting because well I haven't seen any inquiry sliders. -- -- -- forty aperture birdies but don't slide. -- -- -- -- -- it's really been you know it's it's it's -- dying breed but. Arm he did he actually has a follow question as well -- he wanted to know it's disagree -- Using -- going over to T-Mobile. On -- he's also -- Some windows devices. From its mystery to me 800. On the -- expensive 500 dollars -- and he's looking for something that has. A bit more memory than the W 710 which -- -- different likes but it only has eight gigs of memory. Arm and that's that's a tough question aren't saying I was looking around and other windows sensitive who have expendable memory yet I think you don't have. Online store its maiden. Or or you know some of them come with. With expendable -- -- expendable but they have. Internal memory that is pretty high at sixteen gigs like -- and so that -- it that card is locked down. I was looking at. Some of the other devices that -- might want to check out -- I know that. -- -- or not there's the HTC HD seven and which. I was for T-Mobile a little while ago. It has five told -- its internal but it does have. -- sixteen gigabyte about non removable. Ram independent non durable storage apps and things T-Mobile is an actively selling anymore but human gets -- line that. Elsewhere eBay Craig's exactly yeah hopefully can pick that up I mean. I even thought of double A would if you take -- old HD two which you know one of the devices that I was into. I remember that phone came with the past sixteen gig card. Pre loaded because it came with that transformers two or something if if -- it's -- -- area and I hate to say iPad and AT&T really seems to be the niche for windows phones. -- seems like they're becoming the flagship enough for that but I didn't -- to see T-Mobile more. Yeah I mean he's on Alltel. Com and he was trying to see even an unlocked device would work on all title but. As I think -- -- -- Alltel is on. -- Verizon -- remain networks so -- doesn't seem to have much luck there but. Console anyway you -- good luck to you love me to check out the the -- 27 if you get one for pretty cheap. Or even an HD to the maybe you can not talk someone into parting ways with -- hasn't been beat up. Like when I have. Could advice from Brian. Who and we have another email from the T-Mobile customer with sixteen months left on their contract and this -- -- he asked if I am. They wanna change. Her. -- -- The alleged in this response to -- out that LG GTX to an Android phone with the -- -- with Al pleasing -- speed. And they're asking as. Do me no -- to get it online Alex -- -- galaxy note and still be able to -- GIT mobile T-Mobile network. -- yeah -- You can. Get them unlocked GSM -- more expensive and they should be -- they won't be optimize for T-Mobile. I'm so yeah you do get speed degradation best case scenario as you canyons and honey just -- plus network. The other part of the question was are there other large screening hundred phones. Except the Samsung as to that we can recommend and I would say that the -- -- -- and the sensation. Forgy have four point three inch QHD displays so those are really -- -- Large screen in three phones in existence right now. -- -- was the Nokia -- an 800. That if you buy an unlocked. You get -- 2.5 G speeds for T-Mobile that you get three G speeds for AT&T so it's not. -- is created equally -- -- -- you should definitely do some digging on -- but T-Mobile island and they'll be able to Europe will be able -- value. Exactly what you should expect with an unlocked. And another -- -- -- well actually. -- and actually before you get to that lets have an exciting. -- hall and must as a voicemail we said we would -- them and and -- and play it here at. And actresses -- from the midwest. Want -- help then I'll what you do it every week. Historic global -- historical perspective in Europe. The last -- -- solicit you for February -- -- Czech Republic galaxy note the fight or change. All and it's interesting. I hope you all remember what the first galaxy -- -- Which -- -- was shortages. In Europe was also -- that option was disabled in America. So just sort of interesting is just really the same stuff with multiple different sites and so -- You know what ports -- awesome device -- You know the appropriate people a lot better lock people won't balk at -- it. -- -- We've got and another question that I interrupted. While eating so -- -- -- to set this on his current from a reader who wants. On -- hand on -- and Mercury -- wireless when we think about. On the net where they've been thinking that they'll want to make. They wanna join the network they don't want to make a -- -- -- big company. So what is and they don't care authority has found music and Wi-Fi so what do we what -- -- phones -- recommend their. What -- we think that the network. -- -- playing it reviewed a while a Mercury and I actually emit greenhouse stars and it's one of vale of higher end devices released in the -- it has an eight megapixel camera entry to protect and her -- front facing camera. Among -- for gigahertz processor call quality was pretty happy with and testing it on -- roaming -- network. Battery life wasn't -- great. And it did a -- speeds were pokey but if you're on Wi-Fi and and that's good. I think that cricket -- some pretty good deals. There's no move music honest. But I don't think that. You know if if you are not expecting to do a lot of data surfing and up well with the data network and you do expect U's a lot of Wi-Fi. On -- it's a pretty solid device. It is off contract so you pay a little bit more up front. And it's that she's sixty full retail but a while ago -- I reviewed it it was when he eighty after fifty dollar mail in rebate ends when you dollar went discount. So it's possible to get it for a little less. One would actually dissenters who would networked as the current technology does -- used -- -- it's got a three G network. Is it to you and me yeah human -- AM have right on they have a national partnership with sprint. So whenever -- -- outside -- and you know their home for print actually they also have deals with. Like QVC and best buys the you can buy some of their phones like the ones -- -- is going to be averaging next week. You could buy some of those funds from best -- for example. And so there's no way to -- -- an out of area yeah there's no -- -- get -- unlocked device -- I mean -- -- you could buy the lot way honor which is the mobile version of the Mercury and you can get that unlocked. But it is that you send them. I went down probably idea or maybe I I saw some posts keep we're talking about you can maybe even. This is and what this true -- you can maybe figure out how to unlock sprint device. -- -- On on. On another carrier's networks may be that's not -- But I don't. Finally -- would take a heck yeah that's crazy that's easy usually do that I mean that there was another network -- sprint supports a lot of them via an analyst. So basically other companies that use Sprint's network. In a secondary fashion to sort of offer service. And you can't just take a sprint phone which is locked specifically to Sprint's own branded network you can't just take your -- -- -- I am another one of these networks are and you know -- you have to have an unlocked phone. Yeah I mean I read so I read some stuff and it's not appreciating so I don't wanna -- Brian -- This right now you should direct him in action packed Sprint's network I am I'm imagining legal listening to this right now you know patent -- avoid. Let's see we have actually. President John and urged parents of that you can't take a sprint Verizon phone's MetroPCS. And have them -- Oh yeah into MetroPCS and cricket say -- ago and later in life I think your hands -- we have. One more readers. Comments are one more reader's email are gonna read today. Sure it's out it's basically someone from only from Syria which is pretty pretty amazing. -- Omar reach out to us and wants in no. Basically he's he's really listed in the galaxy note. -- but it's really expenses about a 700 dollars on US I'm assuming. So he he want to let us know about that that he's really into that device and also. He's eyeing the Sony Ericsson Xperia pro as well so. -- you know has great and I he says it has agreed Cordelia keyboard and it's it's close or in part to the Droid three -- For so I don't know if you guys have used anything like that word if you love it let us know and La which feedback on here. Those -- -- getting from Omar is picture complaining. About how much you have to spend on phones because it's an -- on subsidized in many parts of the world to -- 700 dollars is. Really par. On in Syria and and other country is a lot of other countries -- carriers don't subsidize -- we definitely have. Sort of an -- -- -- typical situation in the US here -- carriers who -- stranglehold on us for the past found but hey IA. Don't know if I'm complaining about that exactly because I would rather probably pay 200 -- 300 for a high end phones and contracts personally campaign 700 dollars a retirement bonus. And that's a lot of that is a lot of money though I think the only phone I would pay that much money for would be something I would I know would always get updated with the latest software really if you -- -- -- -- -- -- Yeah. Maybe the galaxy nexus programs he says quietly went -- -- -- -- -- That. Is our -- that's -- mobile world congress preview landed and Brian are gonna be holding on the for next Monday at our usual time. -- -- The civic and when PM eastern and -- six hours from that to get personal and as time. -- so join them next week outward to be sharing all of the news we're gonna be hearing most of what we now on Sunday and Monday so they will have a lot. To talk about and -- How many of these devices actually came to light so join us next week. Send us an emailed -- -- at cnet.com questions comments. Leave us a voice -- at 18664022638. We will probably play it you can. And check out I am are consuming continuing blog dialed and it dot cnet.com we will have a special. Section of the site for mobile world congress coverage and so. Check that out we'll have links it's just easier that way. And then listen to all of our podcasts. At CNET produces podcast dot cnet.com. In -- very much for listening and join us next week. --