After the absence of new Android smartphones at the CES 2009 the hopes where set on the Mobile World Congress 2009 for a big Android showing. Android fans are supposed to be happy with the new HTC Magic coming from Vodafone in Europe. What Android fans actually wanted to see is a high-end Android smartphone that can compete with the iPhone and the upcoming Palm Pre. A HTC Touch Pro2 running Android would have been enough for starters. The UI of Android also needs a rework badly with even Windows Mobile looking better than Android now.

LG and Samsung are supposed to release Android phones later this year. Why they didn't announce them at the MWC raises more questions. Maybe there will be a major upgrade to Android later this year and handset makers are waiting for that version to release their new handsets.

In the meantime I wait for the release of the Palm Pre to see if it lives up to the hype under real use. After that I look forward to seeing what Apple does with the iPhone in 2009.

The Mobile World Congress 2009 (MWC 2009) is starting on February 16th and lasts until the 19th. The MWC 2009 (former 3GSM) takes place again in Barcelona. See our MWC 2009 Preview to get an idea what new mobile phones will be unveiled at the MWC 2009. More MWC 2009 News can be found in our Mobile Phone section.