Not @MWC & Apparently Not Missing Much

OK I'm a little bitter that I'm not in Barcelona...but until my Adsense revenues turn into Adollar$ I am just not going to be flying, hoteling, conventioning and wine/dining/dancing like fool in Spain on my own dime...CTIA in Vegas, maybe. That being said the news out of the show has been pretty unspectacular donchathink?:

• Nokia (NOK) announced it's widely anticipated Ovi Store for applications and announced that it would preload Skype on to upcoming N-Series devices (a move sure to piss off carriers)
• Microsoft (MSFT) announced it's new Windows Marketplace for Mobile available with its new Windows Mobile 6.5 OS (does anyone aspire to have a Windows Mobile device?)
• Besides a new HTC handset for Vodafone, Google's Android has been a total bust.
• RealNetworks (RNWK) took over the backend of Verizon Wireless's V Cast streaming video service from thePlatform
• Qualcomm's (QCOM) MediaFlo is sucking wind in the US and they vow to do things differently in Europe
• Acer and maybe Dell are entering the smartphone fray
• And the biggest story of all...the GSMA announced that 17 carriers and handset manufacturers were going to create a universal phone charger by 2012 (cue Kool & the Gang)
• btw -- where hell has RIM/BlackBerry (RIMM) been hiding?...did they purposely keep a low profile at MWC because of their SEC issues?

Anything else I'm missing?

Verizon Unleashes $250 Non-3G Femtocells

The much anticipated femtocell product from the #1 US operator is now available for sale according to this AP story. Verizon Wireless Network Extender is basically a $250 device that behaves like a WiFi router, but instead emits a mobile wireless signal...creating a mini celltower with a 5,000 foot range for the home . The idea is that the pervasive, quality connections the product facilitates will motivate consumers to drop their landlines. Of course, by virtue of having this product Verizon Wireless is basically admitting that some subscribers aren't getting the full support of that dorky guy and his posse from the TV ads. The other non-good thing about this product is that it broadcasts a 1x RTT CDMA signal as opposed to EV-DO so it won't help with 3G services like V CAST.