After launching several popular mobile computing products this year, it's no surprise that Samsung is feeling good about its performance. Korea Times reports that the electronics firm is upbeat about 2011, and has big expectations for its mobile business in the near future, including plans to outpace Nokia in as little as three years.

Skype is hoping to be at the center of your voice and video communication in the near future, that is, if you don't rely already on one of the various services the company has on offer. Today Skype announced an update to its iPhone app that will let you make free video calls on iOS-based devices.

Battery boosting case hits the latest Apple phone

Mophie recently announced the 7th-generation of its iPhone battery boosting range - the Juice Pack Air - bringing battery life extension to the iPhone 4.

Google started the Nexus unlocked Android superphone phenomenon in early January 2010. The Nexus One, made by HTC, was designed to showcase Android on very high end hardware at a time when most carriers were offering middle of the road devices. Google also intended the Nexus One as a platform where developers and enthusiasts could get the latest OS without waiting for carrier certifications and the delays those cause. Lastly, Google sold the Nexus direct to consumers and developers on the web-- the phone was unlocked and you couldn't get it at a carrier's store or from other retailers. That last part didn't work so well in the US where customers expect contract discounts (though those were available in a limited way for the first Nexus One variant on T-Mobile) and support from the carrier and manufacturer. So Google gave up on direct sales and is offering their follow-up model, the Nexus S, via Best Buy. In my experience, given the lackluster support Google provided, that's a good thing. The Nexus S is sold unlocked (regardless of whether you buy it with or without contract) but it works best on T-Mobile in the US and abroad since the phone has T-Mobile's AWS 3G bands and 2100MHz for Europe.

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab and Galaxy S are among the first devices to seriously challenge Apple’s hegemony in the tablet and smartphone markets, and now it looks like the consumer electronics specialist may be readying a new media player to unleash against the iPod touch. The device would essentially be like its Galaxy S smartphone without the mobile phone capability – much like the difference between the iPhone and the iPod touch.

The iPad 2 rumors are heating up as we head into the New Year. CES 2011 is just a little over a week away and Apple’s January announcement will shortly follow. Sweeping the headlines this morning is news that Apple will release not one, but three iPad 2s next year — a WiFi, UMTS and CDMA version.

Well, here’s one we can file away in the “Things I never would’ve guessed would exist” bin.

A company called Redpark Product Development has just announced plans to manufacture serial cables compatible with the iPhone, “Made for iPhone” certification and all. Yep, serial cables. Remember those?