MWC: Tablet market just got a lot more crowded (photos)

For the Mobile World Congress 2013 in Barcelona, Spain, Samsung unveiled its latest entry for the tablet market, the Galaxy Note 8.0. This Android based 8-inch tablet features a 1.6GHz quad-core A9 processor, 2GB RAM, and its popular S pen. Its biggest selling point is its screen resolution of 1,280x800 pixels and 189ppi (pixels per inch), which rivals the 7.9-inch iPad mini.

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In Barcelona, HP introduced its first Android tablet, the Slate 7. Its 7-inch display features 1,024x600 pixel resolution. The tablet will run on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and sports a dual-core ARM A9 processor. It also features the ePrint app to print from your tablet over wi-fi, and Beats Audio software to boost your music.

Obviously, its biggest selling point is its price at $169 — undercutting the prices of the current 7-inch tablets produced by major manufacturers.

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At MWC 2013, Lenovo unwrapped a trio of new tablets — a pair of 7-inch models, the A1000 and A3000, and a 10-inch slate, the S6000.

The 7-inch A1000 model is geared for first-time buyers and packs a dual-core processor, plus up to 16GB of internal capacity. But it's possible that there will be 8GB and 16GB versions. It also will include amicroSD card slot for additional storage.

The more powerful 7-inch A3000 will be powered by a quad-core MediaTek processor and a promise of " extensive memory". Its screen has a resolution of 1,024x600 and the option of 3G connectivity.

The 10-inch S6000 promises a quad-core MediaTek processor and a "substantial battery" in a 20-ounce package. Resolution is 1,280x800, but the price tag is expected to be very competitive.

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Asus introduced a new quad-core smartphone, which comes with a docking station that turns it into a tablet.

The 5-inch PadFone Infinity is powered by Android 4.2, along with a 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor. It also includes 64GB of storage and it can connect via 100Mbps LTE and 42Mbps DC-HSPA+.

The phone can be docked with a station to turn it into 10.1-inch tablet. The Infinity can also output 1080p video via its micro-USB compatible MyDP interface.

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At MWC in Barcelona, Fujitsu took the rugged route with its new Android tablet for business, the Stylistic M702 tablet. Fujitsu said that the tablet can survive under water for 30 minutes and is sealed to prevent dust from reaching its interior. It also has scratch-resistant glass.

The tablet is powered by a Tegra 3-chipset from Nvidia and can connect to 4G/LTE networks. Fujitsu claims that its battery life is up to 15 hours. It also sports an integrated fingerprint sensor, full-disk encryption, and remote device tracking and recovery help.

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Dell's entry into MWC is a security-minded version of its Lattitude 10 Windows 8 tablet. The new security features include a fingerprint reader and an integrated smart card reader — it's the only dual-authentication Windows 8 tablet currently on the market.

It's powered by an Intel Atom Z2760 processor, 2GB of RAM, 64GB solid-state storage, and a 10.1-inch Gorilla Glass screen. But at $799, the extra safety features add $200 to the regular Lattitude 10 price tag.

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ZTE introduced its Android-based version of the "phablet", a cross of a smartphone and a tablet with its new Grand Memo. The 5.7-inch display features a Qualcomm processor, 2GB RAM and 1,280x720 pixel resolution. It's 8.5mm body will also feature 4G LTE connectivity and 16GB of onboard storage.

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Intel took the stage to introduce the Clover Trail+ platform, which consists of three new Atom processors, the 2.0GHz Z2580, 1.6GHz Z2560, and 1.2GHz Z2520.

Clover Trail+ takes the Medfield platform, adds a second core and the improved memory controller from Clover Trail, and tops it off with more capable PowerVR SGX 544 dual-core graphics. Intel said that it will deliver twice the compute performance and 3x the graphics performance of the Atom Z2640.

Intel is planning to ship its first quad-core platform for tablets, Bay Trail, in time for the holidays.

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Mozilla plans to enter the tablet market with its new Firefox OS, an open-source, low-cost operating system. It plans to enter the smartphone market first, and be a cheaper alternative for emerging market.

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One disappointment comes from Nokia, which entered the Mobile World Congress empty-handed — at least with tablets. But Jo Harlow, executive vice president of smart devices, said that Nokia was keeping its options open.

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