Mobile World Congress rings in the changes

Change is coming to the mobile market. From smartphone platforms to payments and wireless connections, companies are determined to shake up the status quo.

It all kicked off with the announcement by Mozilla that the first commercial release of its Firefox OS was imminent. The new system, which was announced at the same event last year, is now on handsets and ready to begin taking on the market in a big way.

Mozilla and its partners are hoping that the open standard – Firefox OS is built on web technologies – will encourage both developers to create for it and consumers to take it to their hearts.

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To start with, the new devices are being released in emerging mobile markets, with 17 operators already signed up to use the phones, targeting those who haven’t yet made the leap to more expensive smartphones.

“While the Apple and Android eco-systems have created services that have proven incredibly popular with mobile users in developed markets, there remain many, especially in developing markets, for whom it’s not profitable to subsidise a high-end smartphone,” said Informa Telecom Media analyst Paul Lambert.

“Operators signed-up for Firefox OS devices will also be hoping they can make in-roads into the applications and services market they are currently locked out of by Apple and Google, with its Android OS.

“However, operators’ track record of developing services and applications means there is little precedent to suggest the open HTML5 technology underpinning Firefox will by itself help them succeed where they have floundered in the past.”

If the devices prove successful, it could mean the days of the feature phone – traditionally a device aimed at emerging markets – are numbered.

Challenging status quo

Even among the handset makers, it seems the status quo is being challenged. Chinese mobile makers such as ZTE and Huawei showed off their next generation of devices to the crowds.

What was also clear this year is that the days when your mobile phone or smart phone functions simply as a communications or entertainment tool are long gone.

Throughout the exhibition, there were companies extolling the virtues of using your phone as a mobile wallet, a fitness tool, or to gauge temperature and humidity.

The entire exhibition was near field communication (NFC)-enabled, from information posters to vending machines, and there were plenty of exhibitors keen to show off the capabilities of the technology.

Samsung and Visa, meanwhile, announced plans for a global alliance that would see the next generation of Samsung NFC-enabled smartphones come with visa’s payWave application embedded.

“It’s a significant agreement that could give NFC a much-needed boost, given that Visa is a trusted payment brand, while Samsung is a top smartphone manufacturer in terms of shipments and a driving force behind the increasingly popular Android device platform,” said Ovum analyst Eden Zoller.

“Both Samsung and Visa are committed to NFC and we would expect them to put effort and marketing muscle behind making consumers aware of the potential benefits that NFC payments can bring. This is desperately needed as for most consumers, mobile payments – let alone NFC – is simply not on their radar.”

Bluetooth is changing with the times too, as new low-powered technology makes it a more attractive option for a wider range of manufacturers. One of the companies leading the charge in this respect is CSR, which in 2010 bought Belfast-based AptX, specialist in digital audio data reduction technology.

The AptX Bluetooth audio compression technology is being used in an increasing amount of devices, including HTC, Sony, Samsung and Denon.

CSR has done a deal with game peripheral company Mad Catz that has resulted in a new range of gaming accessories that not only have an extended battery life but also take advantage of low latency as well – crucial in gaming.

New momentum

Wireless charging also seems to be gathering new momentum. Although companies such as IDAPT and Powermat (now Duracell Powermat) have been pushing the new technologies for some time, it has only recently become more visible.

There is a battle looming there, with competing standards going head to head. While Nokia, HTC, Huawei and some of the other major phonemakers have signed on with the Wireless Power Consortium, Duracell Powermat has linked up with the Power Matters Alliance to help develop a standard for wireless charging.

There are a few other players in the market too, meaning the consumer faces a confusing time ahead if the matter isn’t resolved.

Duracell Powermat has done a number of deals that sees its technology used in places such as Starbucks, Madison Square Garden and with airline Delta for its lounges. Qi, on the other hand, will be used by Virgin Airlines and the Coffee Bean chain in the US.

“The good news is that the technology is gaining traction in the industry,” said Ovum’s Emeka Obiodu.

“Efficiency remains a concern, and the risk of interference is bound to delay regulatory approval. For example, authorities in Japan demanded to test the wireless charging solution for interference with more than 50 different pacemakers.

“However, for a technology that needs a single voice to advocate its adoption, we are still not sure why more than one industry association is needed.”

HD voice calling

Telefonica chief technology officer Enrique Blanco said it was important to note that voice would continue to play a large part. But that doesn’t mean it has to rely on older technology, with Telefonica showing off plans for voice over LTE networks.

The telecoms provider said the move could open the way for HD voice calling, with calls connecting more quickly than on the current 3G and 2G networks.

The company also demonstrated the seamless handover between LTE networks and wifi, a development that could allow customers to automatically log into wifi services without any interruption in coverage.

As the mobile operators warned that the industry was facing serious challenges, the move towards improved and diversified services is clearly a priority. It remains to be seen if consumers will be as easily persuaded.