Here’s most likely one of the most interesting attraction of this year’s show. NVIDIA introduced a processor for smartphones that supports HD and 3D. We have to admit that the result was breathtaking.

720p in a phone

The application processor APX 2500 can render impressive 3D interfaces, but also play videos in high definition on a Windows Mobile phone. NVIDIA pushes the envelop as the prototype actually had an HDMI connexion allowing videos in a phone to be played onto an HDTV. To make it all possible, the firm transposes her HD video decoding technology on the mobile market. Moreover, the manufacturer optimized the processor to save as much energy as possible. NVIDIA promises 10 hours of battery life in HD mode with the prototype showcased.

A prototype with a solid configuration

Technologically speaking, the model used by NVIDIA for the demonstrations, is very attractive: 256 MB of RAM, 8 GB of Flash memory, microSD slot, HSDPA, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, 5 Megapixel sensor and HDMI out. It’s hard to be more thorough.

In regard to the operating system, NVIDIA worked closely with Microsoft to offer a version of Windows Mobile that’s enhanced with a superb interface as can be seen on the video. The processor will hit production by the end of the second quarter and we can hope for the first smartphone before the end of the year.

Nvidia Interface at Mobile World Congress 08 by Tom’s Guide - Tom’s Guide

If the Korean focused on the U900 Soul during this show, it didn’t stop it from introducing a very thorough smartphone.

Symbian and GPS

Samsung chose to equip the G810 with Symbian S60 and an extensive connectivity: HSDPA, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Above all, the G810 gives way to one of the major trend of the show: GPS and geo-tagging.

3x optical zoom

Samsung offers a 5 Megapixel sensor, paired with an autofocus and an internal 3x optical zoom that won’t come out of the phone. Finally, the G810 acknowledges the omnipresent Google by supporting YouTube, Google Search, Google Map and GMail that one will be able to use on a 2.8” screen (240 x 320).

No price or launch date at this time.

The Taiwanese manufacturer introduced during the MWC a prototype for a mobile Internet tablet. It aims to benefit from the strong growth foreseen on this market.

Shake n’ close

This MID (Mobile Internet Device), as BenQ calls it, is a tablet integrating a comfortable 4.8” touchscreen and a VGA camera in front for video call purposes. However, the terminal does own an interesting feature. Instead of minimizing numerous windows one by one, just shake the device and they disappear automatically. It’s a nice way to spare us from tedious manipulation.

An Intel platform

This prototype is based on Intel’s platform Menlow, which allows a complete Internet experience. The manufacturer talks about taking advantage of all the aspect of the web and all the main social networking websites like Flickr, Facebook or even YouTube, as this MID supports flash video.

Being a prototype, not all the technical specifications were given by BenQ. This MID is more of a demonstration of what the market will look like. According to analysts from IDC, the MID market will count 90 million mobile Internet tablet by 2012.

Best Buy reduced its profit expectations for its fiscal year 2008 ending March 1, 2008. The company now expects earnings per diluted share to be $3.05 to $3.10, down about 2.5% from the previous guidance of $3.10 to $3.20 per share.

The company said that store sales will decline "modestly" for the fiscal fourth quarter, reflecting "changes in the macro environment". As a result, the company is projecting about $40 billion in revenue for fiscal 2008, including an annual comparable store sales gain of 2.5% to 3%, compared with previous guidance of about 4%. Affected segments of revenue decline are home theater, MP3 devices, digital imaging and video gaming. Best Buy noted that the lower revenues in video gaming were due to "industry-wide temporary inventory shortages in the United States during January".

"The macro-economic environment grew more challenging after the holidays," said Jim Muehlbauer, Best Buy’s interim CFO. "Our post-holiday results are not going to be what we originally expected."

The company said that it will be opening 130 to 160 new stores in its 2009 fiscal year.

Nvidia’s recent introduction of the APX 2500 applications processor indicates that the company is getting serious about its offerings in the smartphone market. However, the company faces stiff competition from established players, including Texas Instrument (TI), Broadcom and Qualcomm, and so will need to leverage its strengths in graphics chip development to carve its own niche in the market. Digitimes recently had a chance to talk to Michael Rayfield, general manager of Nvidia’s mobile business unit, to discuss Nvidia’s outlook and plans for the smartphone market.

More here at Digitimes.