The Future Is Now

Futuristic architecture and giant television screens greet attendees at this year’s Mobile World Congress in its new home in Barcelona.

This is the first year in the convention’s new home, located in the sprawling, eight-hall venue at Barcelona’s busy Fira Gran Via district.

Everyone knows mobile security is a big issue, and so are thirsty devices, which is why MWC offers these lock-and-leave secure charging stations that fit a wide variety of smartphones and tablets.

The main show floor is in Hall 3, where most of the world’s biggest handset manufacturers show off their flashiest, most desirable products and services.

This year’s convention offered visitors a series of themed networking suites—the Green Suite, located just beyond Hall 3, gave attendees the opportunity to chat and try their skills on the putting green.

While Google’s absence left a noticeable void at the conference, there were reminders of the company’s Android operating system everywhere—on smartphones, tablets, and with these Intel-sponsored plus robots.

A Ford representative explains Sync, a factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that lets users make hands-free calls, control music and perform other functions with the use of voice commands.

Intel used a huge rotating globe to express its vision for a worldwide mobile ecosystem. The model took a team of artists five months to build.

Qualcomm enticed attendees with displays of traditional Spanish dancing while showing off the capabilities of its Snapdragon 800 system-on-a-chip (SoC) platform, designed for smartphones and other mobile devices.

Motorola’s booth may have been tucked away in a corner of Hall 3, but it was worth the walk to see this giant forced perspective illustration of buildings in Barcelona and London.