MWC 09

60 000 visitors are expected for the opening of the MWC in Barcelona. Given the waves of innovation and the centrality of mobile services that will continue to take in our daily lives, there is little chances that the crisis affects the show.
Here's what we can expect a few days before the inauguration:

Attack on the manufacturers stands for the collection fall/ winter 2009:
As every year, the challenge is to discover the roadmap of the major manufacturers. Some have just been announced, as the Nokia ( 6700, 2700, 6303), Samsung ( Ultra touch S8300), LG ( Arena KM900), While others are under heavy rumors ( Nokia E75, Samsung i9810 Acme, C6625 or Blackberry Gemini curve 9300). There sill be surely a media interest for the new entrants, or old "ghosts" ( Acer, Toshiba, dell, Hundai...).
Apple won't have a booth, but will be in all conversations.

Great expectations aroung Google Android & Windows Mobile:
Many visitors will see demonstrations of the G2 and other terminals for Android announced for 2009. The presss conference of Microsoft is strongly expected with many rumors about windows mobile ( phone?) 6.5, or Skybox. Microsoft must respond to the acquisition of Symbian by Nokia, and the arrival of linux.

Anticipation of new technologies:
Like every year, vendors will not fail to highlight the 4G ( Wimax will still be outrun by LTE), the Femtocell, NFC and mobile payments, as well as geolocalisation.

Even more pronounced for mobile social networks, and geo-localisation services:
And the convergence of both ( the concept of social location recently developed by Nokia or the launch of Google Latitude are there to prove it). These services should be more media followed, and located in the mobile Entertainment Hall 7, always a little appart.
And there will inevitably be many debates on the role of advertising on mobile, in these times of crisis.

The real highlight of the show will probably be around widget / applications and stores/ user interface:
Many actors will make announcements in this area: Nokia can not respond to the AppStore, Skymarket ( Microsoft) and Android Market ( Google), Application center RIM must specify his environment while many operators and traditional market ( On-device-portal) will take new ads.

The good news is that the show will focus more on user experience and less on technology; and a myriad of start-ups and innovative services are going to make talk about them!
Cheers, there are only 6 days left before the event!