Day one of the Mobile World Congress 2008 (MWC 2008) in Barcelona is over. The big mobile phone manufacturer announced their latest mobile handsets.

To me the highlight of the MWC 2008 is still the first Sony Ericsson Windows smartphone. The XPERIA X1 looks great and packs tons of features and a somewhat interesting user interface. I am not quite sold on it yet, as I feel the animations do not add to the usability. Apple's use of animations on the iPhone are an essential part of the flow using the phone.

Still, the XPERIA X1 (XPERIA Video) is the hottest Windows Mobile smartphone out there.
With Microsoft buying Danger, the momentum for Windows smartphone should accelerate even more. Microsoft is well positioned for the smartphone war against Apple, Google and other Linux mobile platforms (LiMo).

In general the newly announced handsets do not surprise or raise my blood pressure. 5MP cameras are now pretty much a standard feature. Integrated GPS chips are also on the way to becoming standard equipment on phones.

Apple still has the upper hand on design and touchscreen usability. I have not seen a new handset design that has topped the iPhone. On top of that most of the announced phones are not launching in the first half of 2008.

Featured highlights of the Mobile World Congress 2008:
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1
Samsung Soul
Nokia N78
Nokia N96 revealed at MWC 2008
Nokia 6210 Navigator
HTC P3470 GPS touchscreen phone
Microsoft buys Danger Inc.

The Mobile World Congress 2008 (former 3GSM) will open officially on the 11th of February. We will keep you updated on all interesting mobile technology announcements at the MWC 2008 in our Mobile Phone section.