In this special feature we're looking around the GSMA Connected City at Mobile World Congress 2013.

Mark Bridge and Grant Notman discuss machine-to-machine communications and the Internet of Things, meeting people who've worked with 4G-enabled cars, port logistics, connected houses, m-health and the GSMA's own app development programme.

The adoption of smartphones and tablets is resulting in consumers spending less time with dedicated devices... but most people still turn to standalone equipment on occasions.

Research from the Consumer Electronics Association in the USA shows that portable game consoles, satellite navigation devices and e-book readers are most likely to be discarded first.

Apple is holding this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference from 10th until 14th June at the Moscone West centre in San Francisco.

As well as being able to attend technical sessions and hands-on labs, developers are also being promised an opportunity to “learn about the future of iOS and OS X”.

Microsoft says mobile phone manufacturer ZTE has agreed a licensing deal that provides coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for smartphones and tablets using the Android and Chrome operating systems

Last week Microsoft announced that Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Hon Hai had signed a similar license agreement covering Hon Hai and its Foxconn subsidiary.

LG Electronics has published results for the first quarter of 2013, revealing that it shipped a new record of 10.3 million smartphones during the three-month period.

Revenue was up 6.8% year-on-year to KRW 14.1 trillion (£8.3 billion), largely due to the performance of the mobile business.