From the world’s biggest phone maker, Nokia, to tiny Irish semiconductor start-up Movidia, delegates to the wireless industry’s biggest annual gathering couldn’t stop talking about Facebook, MySpace and Bebo.

The majority of visits to such online communities are still made by people sitting at a computer telling their friends where they are and how they are feeling, exchanging opinions on their favourite movies and music or uploading videos.

But the spontaneous and personal nature of much of that communication lends itself perfectly to the mobile phone.

The top executive at MySpace, owned by News Corp, said members reaching the network from mobile phones had quadrupled in the last year to 20 million, out of 135 million unique visitors in total, and Facebook has seen a similar leap.

“This is really just the start of where we’re going with this,” MySpace Chief Executive Chris DeWolfe told Reuters.

MySpace announced deals at the fair with Nokia and Palm, who will adapt some of their phones to make uploading pictures or video to the social network a matter of a single push of a button.

The company is confident that most smartphone makers will feature MySpace in the coming year.

The so-called Facebook phone or Social Mobile made by INQ, a spin-off of Hutchison Whampoa’s 3, won handset of the year award from the show’s hosts, the GSM Association – and everyone involved was eager to claim a share of the credit.

“Qualcomm’s integrated chipset technology and BREW software have enabled INQ… to realise the potential in mobile social networking,” gushed Enrico Salvatori, the head of chipmaker Qualcomm’s operations in Europe.

BUZZ

Behind the buzz is a telecoms industry that has finally brought together the network speed and capacity and the gadgets to make capturing and sharing pictures or video on the run a fun thing to do rather than a tedious and frustrating experience.

Apple’s iPhone, first announced two years ago and updated in mid-2008, gave the industry a jolt and still sets a benchmark, although imitators and challengers abound.

Korea’s LG Electronics has also struck out with bold designs and models made for capturing and sharing media, and has been marketing features like a single button for publishing video to Google’s YouTube for over a year.

Sony Ericsson made headlines at the mobile fair with plans to bring a 12-megapixel camera to market in the second half of this year, and Samsung unveiled an phone with built-in high-definition camcorder.

Components suppliers and carriers are also playing their part – and everyone hopes to profit from the trend.

Texas Instruments is making what it calls “material” shifts in investments to give higher priority to chip products that make possible the richer multi-media content crucial to drive more mobile social networking.

Movidia, armed with $14 million of venture capital funding, has built a processor that allows users to do sophisticated video post-production on their phones, which it will soon release to phone makers for testing.

Chief Executive Sean Mitchell said in an interview the company had attracted much interest from Japanese and Korean phone makers at the show, and handsets containing such processors could be out in time for Christmas next year.

Mobile carrier Orange, the main brand of France Telecom, is tempting customers with special pricing that offers unlimited access to sites such as Facebook and MySpace – but meters all other data use.

And of course MySpace itself – created to sell advertising, not just for fun – is confident of profiting from new opportunities to sell ads based on features unique to mobile, like knowing where members are, if they choose to opt in.

“That will take you into a whole new realm,” DeWolfe said. “We are focused on creating a large, profitable business.”

A gentleman named Vic Gundotra; VP of engineering at Google, just recently at MWC 09 showed eager visitors a working version of an offline Gmail web application. As of now reports are saying that Gundotra had stated that this was just a “technical concept” right now that essentially depends on HTML5’s AppCache and Database standards, that would have the application as well as all the user data on the handset.

The same reports also mentioned that the application was running on the newest Android handset from HTC – the Magic. The application also featured a floating toolbar for tracking information like emails and browsing.

This is as official as it can get for now. However, Google has released no official statements about the apps release or its price so stay tuned.

The netbook features a 160GB hard drive, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, SRS WOW HD and TruSurround XT.

With Smart-Link technology and a simple USB cable, LG-X120 connects to regular computers to share files or install new applications, accessing data even from the computer’s CD or DVD drive. An advanced security function allows users to safely share files while connected to other devices, without compromising important information.

The LG-X120 features a soft textured, classic white exterior and has a matt surface that resists fingerprints and scratches. Weighing in at 1.2kg, the laptop has a battery life of 3.5 hours for the 3 cell battery and 7 hours for the 6 cell battery.

LG-X120 will be available in March in Europe. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet.

The WinMo 6.5 has a slightly updated user interface, some new features and enhanced browsing experience thanks to the latest version of Internet Explorer. The mobile phones that use the service will also make use of two new Microsoft services: My Phone and Windows Marketplace for Mobile.

Microsoft MyPhone is a service to sync text messages, photos, video, contacts and more with previously created personal internet account while the Windows Marketplace will provide direct-to-phone mobile applications and can be accessed from both the phone and the Web.

The new OS tries to bring more user friendliness directly on the homescreen by providing a dashboard-like experience to items such as new e-mails, texts, missed calls and calendar appointments.

Windows Mobile 6.5 is also more thumbable with its larges icons and menus. It comes with the latest Internet Explorer Mobile browser, which has also been thumb-optimized. It is equipped with an on-screen zoom slider and thumb-optimized shortcuts bar much like Opera 9.5 currently used by HTC.    

As you may guess the changes that Windows Mobile 6.5 brings are nowhere near the long expected complete overhaul of the device but might serve their purpose of putting some competitive edge to the Microsoft Mobile OS until Windows Mobile 7 is ready to roll next year.

The first Windows Mobile 6.5 devices will be available at the second half of 2009. The currently announced LG GM730, HTC Touch Diamond 2 and HTC Touch Pro 2 that were all announced today, will initially run on WinMo 6.1 but an upgrade to 6.5 is guaranteed once the OS is ready.

Samsung i8910 Omnia HD

One of the officially revealed devices today was of course the Samsung i8910 OmniaHD. As you may already know the monster sports a 3.7″ OLED capacitive touchscreen of QHD resolution (640 x 360 pixels) and 16 million colors. An 8 megapixel shooter with the unprecedented 720p HD video recording at 24fps has made headlines well before the official launch, along with the latest Symbian S60 5th that lies beneath. The other imaging assets include geo-tagging, Face detection, Smile Shot and Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) setting.

On the connectivity side, Samsung i8910 Omnia HD offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, a standard microUSB port, 3.5mm audio jack and HDMI port for high-quality TV-out. A GPS receiver with A-GPS is aboard along with the optional Samsung Mobile Navigator by Route66.

The Omnia HD comes in two flavors: with 8 or 16GB of integrated memory, the non-hot-swappable microSD card slot handles up to 16GB in turn. The other notable features include DivX/XviD support, accelerometer for screen auto rotate, proximity sensor for auto screen turn-off, FM radio.

The i8910 OmniaHD is a quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE handset with tri-band UMTS support topped with HSDPA (up to 7.2 Mbps) and HSUPA (up to 5.76 Mbps) support.

Samsung i8910 OmniaHD is expected to hit the market in Q2 of this year. You’re welcome to check out our first impressions while you wait.

Samsung Beat DJ and Samsung Beat DISC

Other than video, Samsung seem pretty keen on music too with their utterly revamped Beat family that features the M7600 Beat DJ and M6710 BeatDISC.

The Samsung M7600 Beat DJ is a distinctly shaped touchscreen using the latest TouchWiz interface. It features a 3 megapixel snapper with autofocus and VGA video recording at 15 fps, a 2.8-inch OLED (again) display, GPS receiver and 3G support.

Samsung continue a long standing partnership with Bang&Olufsen but the real boost to the music experience are BeatDJ and the new music player interface called DiskUI. Beat DJ, which turns your device into a small DJ deck, is a music mixer application with filters, scratching, sampling and effects. The Disk UI quite reminds of a jukebox.

The other features of the Samsung M7600 Beat DJ include an accelerometer for screen auto rotation, proximity sensor for auto screen turn-off, FM radio with RDS, DivX/XviD video support. The must have 3.5mm audio jack is aboard too.

The second Beat fellow is the Samsung M6710 Beat DISC slider. It’s a slightly downgraded variation of the M7600 and has a 2.6 TFT screen with 16 million colors, a 3 megapixel snapper with QVGA video recording @15 fps, 3G support and a 3.5mm audio jack. Beat DISC also uses the latest TouchWiz interface with the DiskUI music player preinstalled.

Both handsets pack a microSD slot and FM radio, and feature quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support along with 7.2 Mbps HSDPA. There is no word on pricing yet but they will be available in Q2 2009. The M7600 Beat DJ is already spinning on our homepage.

Samsung S7350 Ultra S

Samsung S7350 goes by the name of Ultra s and that’s a moniker that sets the style-conscious Samsung-loving gang aflame. To set it straight, the new Ultra is not ultra-thin but seems to stake much on the fascia too. The superscript S clearly marks the slider form factor.

Samsung S7350 has a 2.6″ WQVGA screen and some high-end design elements borrowed from the headliner S8300 UltraTOUCH we briefly previewed in the buildup to the WMC. The ample display however ends quite a long AMOLED streak by Samsung. With much focus on looks, Samsung S7350 is among the first Samsung handsets to have a flash-based user interface. Auto Pivot (UI rotation) is enabled.

Samsung S7350 Ultra s also features a built-in GPS receiver with the full Route66-made navigation package Samsung Mobile Navigator. The 5 megapixel auto focus camera comes with PowerLED, face detection, geotagging and D1 video recording at 30 fps. An FM radio is also aboard.

The S7350 is a quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE handset with dual-band HSDPA (up to 7.2 Mbps) support. It features microSD memory expansion, USB 2.0 and stereo Bluetooth.

Samsung S7220 Ultra B

The S7220 reminds even more of the 8300 UltraTOUCH and can be considered its candybar variety. We’ve already had the chance to appreciate the minimalist and ergonomic design of this compact bar. Notably, the S7220 Ultra b is another new release by Samsung to feature an OLED screen – a 2.2″ QVGA unit of 262K colors.

A wealth of color hues and new background animations are available across the new Flash-based UI, which is a shared feature of Samsung’s new Ultra lineup. Accelerometer-based action includes screen auto-rotation and turn-to-mute.

The 5 megapixel focus camera lacks some of the perks of the S7350 slider and video recording is limited to QVGA. A power LED is available here as well though, and so is FM radio. Samsung S7220 Ultra B is a quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE handset with dual-band HSDPA (up to 7.2 Mbps) support. It features microSD memory expansion, USB 2.0 and stereo Bluetooth.

Samsung I7410

Pico projectors have been out for while and it was only a matter of time before one made it into a phone – meet the Samsung I7410. It’s impressive enough, a 3.2″ WQVGA touchscreen and 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash is nothing to scoff at.

The key trick of the phone however is the projector – there’s a dedicated button and interface for the projector on top of the TouchWiz. The 1440 mAh battery sounds just right for the task. Picture size can go from 5 to 50 inches and with support for up to 16 GB microSD cards it’s not just for presentations – it’s a drive-in theater in your pocket.

Samsung B5702 and Samsung C5212

Samsung B5702 and Samsung C5212 are two Dual SIM handsets. The B5702 reminds of the legendary Samsung D900 but the far more interesting fact about it is it’s the first global Dual SIM phone. Both SIM cards have all-time Quad-band GSM and EDGE support. There is nothing too special to note about the C5212 except that it’s a decent looking bar that has the low end of the Dual SIM segment duly covered for Samsung.

Samsung S3500 and Samsung S3110

Samsung S3500 and Samsung S3110 are stylish, slim and affordable. Both pack Bluetooth (with A2DP), MP3 player, FM radio, microSD card slots and inbuilt snappers (2 MP and 1.3 MP, respectively). The S3500 has also a very nice 2.2″ QVGA TFT display with 16M colors.

Blue Earth

Samsung Blue Earth is a nature-friendly, solar powered mobile phone with a touch screen. Recycled materials and lack of toxic substances is nothing new, but this phone puts emphasis on being energy efficient with its Eco-mode, and tries to make you energy efficient too with Eco-walk.

People who like camping will appreciate the solar panel on the back of the phone that can give enough charge for a call.

The transparent keypad of the LG GD900 simply cannot go unnoticed, nor can the slim waistline of the WinMo-powered LG GM370 and the 8 megapixel camera of the LG GC900.

LG GD900 is definitely the most interesting handset of the bunch, offering an unprecedented see-through keypad. The manufacturer is refusing to reveal many of its specifications which suggests that it is yet in very early stages of its development. The fact that it wasn’t present on the LG booth also kinda confirms that.

Yet another disappointment for us was the lack of any information whatsoever about the 8 megapixel LG GC900. A photo of the handset leaked this morning but LG still haven’t got round to officially announcing it.

LG GM730 is a Windows Mobile-powered handset, which also sports a touch of the S-class UI. The fully touch-operated handset comes with a 3″ WQVGA screen, A-GPS, Wi-Fi and a 5 megapixel camera. USB and Bluetooth connectivity is also on board and the device still manages to remain pretty slim at 11.9mm.

The slider LG KT770 runs on Symbian S60 3rd edition UI and comes with FP2 preinstalled. It offers a 5 megapixel camera, a 2.8″ WQVGA screen, 3G with HSDPA connectivity. The internal memory will be 1 or 2 GB and is expandable through the microSD card slot.

LG also showcased their eco-friendly phone, that has a solar panel at the back for charging its battery.

Of course the main star of the event is the LG KM900 Arena. There were hardly any specifications that needed clearing out here but the handset still managed to surprise us. The UI was so smoothly and fluidly running that we almost couldn’t believe our eyes. We will give you more details about it in our live LG overview that is just around the corner.

Finally LG announced a bunch of low- and lower-mid-end phones, designed to suit the needs of the emerging markets and the users on a tight budget.

The 2009 Mobile World Congress is expected to attract approximately 50,000 attendees, so don’t miss this unrivalled opportunity to conduct business, discuss the hottest trends in mobile communications, and help define the industry’s path to continued growth.

The Ivalo will feature:

• a 3.5 inch TFT touchscreen (widescreen. Nokia loves that it seems)
• 32GB of ROM
• GPS, A-GPS
• FM radio with a transmitter as well
• 5 megapixel camera
• Wi-Fi, EDGE/GPRS
• TV out
• Bluetooth and of course USB 2.0

Madeleine, which reports are saying could be a mid-range handset will come equipped with :

• QWERTY keyboard
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• Wi-Fi, EDGE/GPRS
• N-Gage support for gaming
• GPS
• FM radio

There’s absolutely nothing official about these handsets but with GSMA and MWC 09 just around the corner one has to hope that we’ll see them, even if they are prototypes, on display.

Other reports a little earlier also stated that the Finnish mobile magnates were also planning of launching a mobile application store as well as a device that the reports are calling E75. Could it be one of these? We’ll just have to wait and see.

One of the sources also said Nokia would unveil a new E75 cellphone model at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona. The phone, already on sale on the Web site of online retailer Expansys, will be available next month in Britain.

The smartphone, with a sideways slide-out full keyboard, will sell for 390 pounds ($563.6), while with an operator contract it will be free in Britain.

Nokia promised in early December to launch ’soon’ its own download store, as the Finnish firm merges its current software Download! store with free media sharing site Mosh and widget service WidSets. “This will provide consumers an easy way to get mobile media for their device,” Nokia said in December.