Mobile World Congress 2014 kicks off in Barcelona
Baku, February 24 (AZERTAC). Mobile World Congress (MWC 2014), the show where the mobile magic happens, has commenced today in Barcelona.
The GSMA Mobile World Congress is the place for mobile leaders to gather, collaborate and conduct business. It`s the show where most of the hottest mobile devices of the year are seen first.
The annual event provides the planet` best venue for mobile industry networking, new business opportunities and deal-making. Mobile World Congress includes a world-class conference featuring visionary keynotes and action-provoking panel discussions; an exhibition with more than 1,500 companies displaying the cutting-edge products and technologies that define the future of mobile; App Planet, the Centre of the Mobile Apps Universe; and the annual Global Mobile Awards ceremony, which recognises the most innovative mobile solutions and initiatives from around the world.
Expected high points include major product launches from Samsung and other phone makers, along with a keynote address by Facebook founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. His speech will focus on the lofty theme of extending internet coverage in developing countries, where an estimated 3.5 billion people - half the world`s population - still have no access.
Mr Zuckerberg is not expected to dwell on the latest big news at Facebook: its decision to spend $19bn buying WhatsApp, a free instant messaging service with 450 million users but no obvious sources of revenue.
But for many of those attending, the real business of Mobile World Congress is the unveiling of shiny new kit.
Samsung is likely to be the company creating the most noise with the expected launch of the Galaxy S5, an upgrade to its flagship smartphone, at an event called Unpacked 5, being held away from the main conference venue.
It is reported that the South Korean electronics giant brought forward the release of its latest phone to counter flagging sales of the current model, the S4, released less than a year ago.
Other manufacturers including Sony, Nokia, HTC and the Chinese manufacturers Lenovo and Huawei are also expected to launch major new products at Mobile World Congress.
In 2013, Mobile World Congress hosted more than 72,000 mobile professionals from more than 200 countries.
Other news in this section
