Mobile apps take centre stage at 3GSM

Big guns battle it out for the future of voice and data on the move

The world's biggest mobile phone conference starts today and the major names from the mobile and PC sectors will be outlining their plans for the future of voice and data on the move.

Microsoft's Steve Ballmer will be heading the bill tomorrow, announcing details of Redmond's push to get its email software onto mobile networks.

Network operators are also anxious for the revenues that large scale mobile email could bring.

Microsoft is keen to woo BlackBerry users back to their mobiles and is looking to persuade more phone manufacturers to use its software. However, some operators are wary of becoming too reliant on Microsoft software.

The show will also feature a host of new applications designed to get consumers using data services. Mobile TV is expected to be a central platform of this strategy, and handsets capable of receiving different mobile TV broadcasts will be unveiled. 

On the services side BT will announce a deal with Big Brother creator Endemol that will see a commercial mobile TV service launch in the UK by the autumn.

"We have already announced a number of content deals for next-generation TV and we are delighted to be working with Endemol," said Dan Marks, chief executive of TV services at BT Retail.

"Significantly, our next-generation TV service will be offered nationwide and not restricted to metropolitan areas, and customers will not be required to commit to a monthly subscription."

Security is expected to be another of the most talked about topics at the show. With mobile viruses like Cabir and Commwarrior in ever wider circulation, we can expect announcements from PC security vendors like McAfee on mobile software suites. 

All these applications are going to need new and improved handsets and the major manufacturers will be debuting new models.

Here too there will be a crossover with the PC industry, as hard drive manufacturers push the hardware that will take handset storage to multi-gigabyte levels.

Nearly half a million people are expected to attend the show at its new home in Barcelona.

The vnunet.com team will be at the show providing daily news and podcasting interviews as they happen. Check here for all the latest developments.