Mark Bridge writes:
So, that’s another Mobile World Congress in the bag. Yes, it was bigger than ever. Just like last year. Just like the year before, too.
What happened? Nokia confirmed its plans to produce Android-based smartphones. Samsung revealed the rumoured Galaxy S5 and some new wearable devices. Huawei gave the iPad Mini something to worry about. Sony continued to produce stylish high-spec kit. YotaPhone updated last year’s twin-screen handset. Facebook friend WhatsApp planned to start offering voice calls. And Mozilla had some new Firefox OS smartphones.
But it wasn’t all big announcements. Microsoft introduced new hardware partners for Windows Phone devices but didn’t have much else to add. HTC didn’t have a new flagship phone (although last year’s smartphone won in the Global Mobile Awards). Even BlackBerry promised a new top-of-the-range device without giving many firm details.
Although it would be easy to think the mobile world centred on Barcelona last week, there was still plenty of other news happening around the world. Boeing confirmed details of an Android-based smartphone with a ‘self-destruct’ anti-tamper case. Dixons Retail and Carphone Warehouse said they’d been talking about a possible merger. Telefonica showed off a new organisational structure. Oh, and EE signed a six-year partnership agreement to become ‘lead brand partner’ for Wembley Stadium. Following the deal, Wembley Stadium will be known as ‘Wembley Stadium’. Well, some things never change.
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