Predictions, Rumours and Wild Guesses for 2012

It looks like 2012 is going to be a great year for mobile phone aficionados and gadget fans at large. With this in mind we've had a little think about the developments that we're most excited about (potentially) happening during the next 12 months:

Quad-core Mobile Phone Processors

It was announced in February 2011 that Qualcomm had developed a mighty quad-core processor for use in Android handsets - and that they were to make it available to handset manufacturers in 2012. This promise seems to have been held with the HTC Edge potentially due a February release - complete with a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor.

Although this might not sound exciting to most; the step up from a single core processor (as you'd find pre 2011) to a dual core is an impressive improvement - but a quad core means double the power again! This additional power means not only faster execution of multiple processes but also improved battery life and the ability to effortlessly handle HD video chat.

3D Displays in Handsets

For a number of years 3D displays have been gradually working their way into new environments - from specialised cinemas, through to home cinemas and even handheld gaming consoles. In 2011 we finally saw 3D mobile phones which were able to provide that third dimension without glasses.

The HTC Evo 3D and LG Optimius 3D both hit UK shores and were met with intrigue initially. Despite boasting innovative technology however; the lack of 3D content and hardware and software shortcomings lead to a general dismissal of these two pioneering handsets.

Here at Free Contract Mobiles we are absolutely certain that in 2012 there will be breakthrough 3D handsets which take the market by storm by addressing the problems encountered by the Evo 3D and Optimus 3D. Recent rumours about the Samsung Galaxy S3 featuring 3D capabilities are another very strong pointer towards a future of 3D handsets.

Kindle Fire Hailing Changes in the Tablet Market

In January 2010 Apple unveiled the iPad to worldwide acclaim and subsequent torrents of copycats - thus the tablet market was born. 2011 brought the iPad 2 and a wealth of heavyweight competitors from Asus, Blackberry, Samsung and others.

In 2012 things are however set to change...potentially radically. Although the likely release of the iPad3 may be of most interest to some; it is Amazon who are likely to cause the greatest change with the UK launch of the Kindle Fire tablet. Already available in the USA priced at an incredible $199 the Kindle Fire combines Amazon's huge range of media with a high tech, low priced tablet - making for something which could knock Apple off their pedestal. The consequent hotting up of competition in the tablet arena is likely to have a knock-on effect with regard to pricing - which is in the best interests of all gadget fans!