fbpx

Mobile World Congress

The shiny new toys announced at the world’s largest mobile conference

By Chris Fleck

Last month, the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, drew more than 100,000 attendees. Touted as the largest mobile industry conference, where thousands of exhibitors convene to connect with industry experts eager to see what’s next for mobile devices and technologies, the conference brought forth several notable announcements.

Google announced it will use Android Messages as its SMS (texting) platform. It’s the next generation of technology known as RCS (Rich Communications Services), which allows app-like functionality to improve user experience beyond simple texts. Some 27 carriers and multiple manufacturers—including LG, Motorola, Sony, HTC and ZTE—will use it. Notably missing are Samsung and Apple; however, the partners that signed up have more than a billion potential subscribers. If you have RCS and message someone with an iPhone, the message will still default to a standard text message.

This is good news for Boca Raton-based 3C Interactive, which specializes in customer engagement for large brands and has a lead in RCS delivery for businesses. 3C demonstrated RCS with Google and Walgreens during the conference.

Sony announced the new flagship Xperia XZ smartphone that comes with a 4K display and a 20 megapixel camera with special effects such as high-resolution slow-motion video. It also demonstrated the Sony Agent, a cross between Amazon Echo and a robotic assistant. Although not yet released, the Agent promises more functionality and engagement with a swiveling head and a camera that recognizes its users.
Samsung demonstrated monitor-less AR glasses that stream apps, videos and games from a smartphone or computer over Wi-Fi. Plantation-based Magic Leap did not exhibit but, no doubt, the secretive tech startup surely had attendees there looking for new technologies.

You’ve heard of wearables, but a new variation—hearables—could be in your future. Waverly Labs demonstrated wireless earbuds that can translate in real-time as someone speaks a foreign language.

BlackBerry KeyOne is for those who still have the finger muscle memory for pounding out emails on a BlackBerry. The KeyOne is a new smartphone with a 4.5-inch screen, featuring a full BlackBerry keyboard replica. The Android device is made by Chinese tech giant TCL and is branded as BlackBerry to target enterprise users who want the keyboard back. BlackBerry, the company, is still around but now focuses on mobile security software.
Nokia also is making a comeback with several new phones, starting with the retro Nokia 3310 and continuing through the flagship Nokia 6. As with Blackberry, the phones are made by a partner—HMD Global, which licensed the Nokia brand.

Apple, the big player in mobile, was missing as an exhibitor but this is nothing new. Apple usually saves announcements for its own events, such as the opening of its “spaceship” headquarters in Cupertino, California, which is scheduled this month.

Chris Fleck is on the board of the South Florida Technology Alliance and vice president of emerging solutions for Citrix Systems (Nasdaq: CTXS), a Fort Lauderdale company that provides secure delivery of applications and data.

You May Also Like

TSC Miami Receives Investment From Trilantic North America

Trilantic North America, a private equity firm, recently completed a substantial growth investment in TSC Miami. The investment is being made in partnership with TSC’s founding team, namely Billy Koorse, his son Evan Koorse, and their partner Scott Valancy, which retains a meaningful equity stake and continues to run the business post-close. Founded in 2001 and

Levan Center of Innovation in Broward Forms Strategic Collaboration With Space Foundation

The Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation (Levan Center of Innovation) has formed a new strategic collaboration with the Space Foundation. The partnership will enable the Space Foundation to create programming for the Levan Center of Innovation’s LEVL5: SPACE DOCK at NSU™ initiative by using the center’s four core programs (Ideate, Incubate, Accelerate, Post-Accelerate) as the

Sintavia in Fort Lauderdale Chosen for Major White House Initiative

Sintavia, LLC, a designer and additive manufacturer of advanced propulsion and thermodynamic systems for the Aerospace, Defense and Space industry, was recently chosen to represent the AM supply chain to launch a major White House initiative called “AM Forward.” Unveiled on May 6 by President Joe Biden in Cincinnati, Ohio, this new initiative involves a

Alan B Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation Held Future Forward Event to Celebrate Impact of Levan Center

Since opening its doors last year, the Alan B Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation (Levan Center) has been the catalyst for growing tech start-up companies in Broward County. To recognize the importance of its operations and demonstrate its future capabilities, the Levan Center hosted its Future Forward event. Local community members and the media were

Other Posts

TD Bank Group Creates South Florida Tech Hub to Accelerate Digital Growth

TD Bank recently partnered with the Alan B. Levan NSU Broward Center of Innovation (Levan Center) to establish a new technology hub in South Florida to support future generations of technology professionals and foster and attract more talent to the area.  “Our new technology hub will focus on tapping into South Florida’s fast-growing technology talent pool

Sky’s the Limit When Miami Entrepreneur Rani Kohen Hits the NASDAQ

Sky Technologies (SKYX) recently completed an IPO, a market valuation of $1 billion pre-revenue, and founder and chairman Rani Kohen, a Miami-based inventor and entrepreneur who has created more than 60 global patents, took the stage at the NASDAQ on March 4 to ring the opening bell. “As electricity is a standard in every home

Vulnerable Tri-County Residents Face Challenges to Access Vital Infrastructure and Transportation Services

The final installment of SFBW’s three-part Virtual Connect series recently concluded with a discussion on how private and government entities can ensure equal transportation access to all South Florida residents. The “Virtual Connect: Social Equity and Transportation” forum was moderated by Anthony Abbate, professor at Florida Atlantic’s school of architecture. Abbate was joined by Greg Stuart, executive

Softbank Group Has Exceeded Its $100 Million Commitment to Invest in Miami Startups—and That’s Only the Beginning

Last fall, SoftBank Group announced that it had exceeded its initial $100 million commitment to invest in Miami tech companies across its various funds by more than 250%, for a total of more than $250 million. That’s what you’d call fast work: The Miami Initiative was launched in January 2021 as a commitment to invest in companies