In 2011 we saw the top mobile manufacturers bring out their big guns, like the iPhone 4S, Samsung’s Galaxy line, Motorola’s Droid line, and even Nokia managed to produce a noteworthy line of Windows Phone devices.  So what about the underdogs?  Will they be getting a chance to show off their stuff?  The answer is yes.

Sony

Sony is buying out Ericsson from their partnership in the hopes of concentrating on making mobile devices integrated with their gaming devices and vice versa.  This probably stemmed from the success of their Sony Xperia Play, the mobile device that also functions like the PlayStation Portable, the perfect gaming mobile phone.

Now Sony’s readying the world for the launch of the PS Vita, their latest offering in the handheld gaming arena.  Though people aren’t really excited about this portable gaming device because it took eons to launch, there could still be hope if it would be better integrated with the PlayStation 3.  Capcom already announced that the PS Vita would be the perfect game controller for their Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, functioning like the soon to launched Wii U controller.

“We’ve been told the PS Vita sold out on pre-bookings. How it sells next year depends on the software. If they can come up with something like Monster Hunter they will be able to sell a lot, but if they don’t, prospects don’t look so bright,” said Mito’s Wakabayashi, referring to a game title that drove sales of the PSP in Japan.

The PS Vita will launch in Japan on December 17 and in the US and UK by February 2012.

Intel

Intel plans on busting into the mobile scene with their organizational change.  They will be consolidating four divisions into one, calling it the mobile and communications group.  The four divisions are mobile communications, netbook and tablet, mobile wireless and ultra mobility.  The new group will be led by current Intel executives Mike Bell and Hermann Eul.

In 2012, Android mobile devices armed with Intel chips will be introduced in the market. Though this sounds promising for Intel, though investors are still skeptic–they want Intel to prove that they’ve finally developed a power-efficient processor that can compete with chips based on the ARM architecture, which have saturated the mobile market so far.

And since NFC is such a hot item as mobile wallets gain popularity, Inside Secure, a world leader in the design and supply of semiconductors dedicated to secure transactions, today announced an agreement with Intel Corporation to provide the Company’s products and technologies NFC INSIDE.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside Intel to develop scalable solutions for NFC market,” said Charles Walton, General Manager at INSIDE Secure. “This cooperation with a leader like Intel will play an important role in launching large-scale NFC.”

Intel will have access to Inside’s technology on software programs and hardware.  Inside will also provide NFC scalable solutions based on products MicroRead, SecuRead and  Open NFC to Intel’s Mobile Wireless Group.

“The NFC is growing in many markets because it is the most convenient way to use consumer electronics devices to pay for their purchases and shopping, to access buildings or the information, and for many other applications, “says Aicha Evans, Vice-President and General Manager of Mobile Wireless Group at Intel. “We look forward to working with INSIDE to develop and market a new range of connectivity solutions for consumer products that offer NFC capabilities. “

Mobile Fashionista

If you’re one of those socialites who want fashion oozing from your smartphone, then this new Android handset is for you: the LG Prada 3.0.  This fashionable smartphone is the third collaboration between Prada and LG with  KE850 Prada (2007) and KF900 Prada II (2008) being the first two.  the LG Prada 3.0 is said to be available by January 2012, launching first in Europe.

LG Prada 3.0 Features:

• 4.3-inch NOVA display with WVGA resolution and 800 nit brightness,
• 1GHz TI OMAP4430 dual-core chip,
• 0.33-inch (8.5mm) thick body,
• 8-megapixel rear camera recording 1080p video, 1.3-megapixel front camera,
• 21Mbps HSPA+ connectivity, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, and an FM tuner.
• Comes with the Android 2.3.7 a.k.a. Gingerbread; UI tweaked