Mobile World Congress 2012 is just around the corner. Here's a roundup of the latest MWC phone rumours, leaks and announcements.
LG Optimus 4X HD quad-core phone uncovered
Our international colleagues over at Stuff.tv have uncovered evidence that LG has a quad-core phone in the works called the LG Optimus 4X HD. Although solid details are scarce at this stage, its name alone suggests a tantalising spec list.
We're expecting the LG Optimus 4X HD to be a Tegra 3-powered Ice Cream Sandwich phone with an 1280x720 4.7in display, hence the 'HD' in the title. (Get the full story here.)
Nokia is prepping a budget Lumia 610 smartphone
Back in the day, Nokia used to make new phones as regularly as the postman came. Well, nearly. But it looks like the former mobile behemoth might be settling into a new stride, with two new Windows Phones ready to drop at next week’s Mobile World Congress.
According to Reuters, the freshly-minted wares of Nokia’s smartphone brigade are set to be joined by a pair of new Windows Phone handsets at MWC 2012, one targeted at a budget phone audience. The news agency cites two sources who’ve spilled the beans on a smartphone entry-level Nokia Lumia 610, plus a global version of its 4G Lumia 900 (which might come in handy later this year for Australian customers).
The phones are expected to be announced on Monday, February 27, and may help Nokia in its bid to reclaim past glories.
Samsung takes a leaf out of Apple's book with Learning Hub
Apple's iBooks 2 and iTunes U caused quite a stir when they was unveiled recently – and now Samsung's taking a leaf out of Apple's book with Learning Hub. The education app looks like a mix of iTunes U and iBooks 2, featuring interactive materials and video lectures.
In an announcement on its Korean website, Samsung has revealed that Learning Hub will be released with 6,000 different resources from 30 universities and schools. This might sound impressive – but given iTunes U alone has half a million videos and audio files, Samsung has a long way to go to compete.
However, unlike iTunes U, anyone will be able to add content to Learning Hub, so we could see lessons on anything from Klingon to Javascript.
Learning Hub will initially only be available for Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 8.9, but Samsung is planning to roll it out to its smartphones.
Samsung says content will be free, although it isn't clear if the app will be free to download like iBooks 2. Learning Hub will be formally launched on February 27 at MWC 2012, so check back for all the details.
Nokia teases Pure View
We were starting to wonder if Nokia would have anything new to show off at Mobile World Congress, what with all the leaks of rumoured tablets and phones. Now it looks like the Finnish manufacturer is set to bring some surprises to MWC – it'll be showing off something called Pure View, which seems to be a new hyper clear camera system that will be featured in a new Nokia smartphone.
We've already heard that Nokia is launching a next generation handset at MWC, and that's not the Lumia 910, so what can we expect? Judging from the Pure View title it's likely that the smartphone will have at least a 12MP snapper and – we're hoping – a Retina Display-quality screen to view these great snaps on.
Enjoy the cryptic video below.
LG Optimus 3D Cube unveiled
Prepare your eyes for dazzling glasses free 3D, again. The Optimus 3D has a sequel in the LG Optimus 3D Cube coming to Korea in March. Sadly there was no Australian release date menitoned meaning we'll have to wait longer.
The latest handheld in LG’s glasses-free 3D army has been on a diet to achieve a thinner 9.6mm thin form. But it’s still crammed in more speed with a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor. And a mobile 3D first brings editing software for your 3D videos and pictures which you can edit on the Cube's 4.3in screen.
The downside is that there was no mention of the 326ppi screen we previously reported. And sadly it’ll be running the positively outdated Android 2.3 Gingerbread with no word on an Ice Cream Sandwich update.
