What is Mobile World Congress? [Android A to Z]

What is Mobile World Congress? The next big mobile trade show on our Android schedule is Mobile World Congress -- or MWC, for those in the know. It's in Barcelona, Spain, and has been since 2006 (and will be through 2018). Before that, it was known as 3GSM World and was in Cannes, France. This year will be the last at the Fira de Barcelona, a beautiful venue that actually allows for some sunlight (or dreary rain), with towers at the entrance and Palau Nacional rising at the far end.

MWC has a decidedly different feel than CES, which we just wrapped up in Las Vegas, or the bi-annual CTIA shows that rotate among different cities in the United States. Gone are the booth babes, and you'll see far more suits than you will in Sin City. That's not to say that Mobile World Congress is a boring show for Android -- far from it. MWC is where we'll see the latest and greatest from many of the major manufacturers. To wit:

HTC unveiled the Legend and Desire lines in 2010, and sequels in 2011, including the ChaCha Facebook phone.
Samsung at Mobile World Congress in 2011 unveiled the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy S II.
Sony Ericsson has improved its Xperia line each year at MWC -- including the Xperia Play in 2011.
LG unveiled the Optimus 3D and Optimus Pad at MWC last year.
Google had one hell of a "booth" -- more like an entire hall -- in 2011.

And we've got meetings. And dinners. And dinner meetings. A slow show for Android, Mobile World Congress is not. Plus it's in Barcelona -- this year from Feb. 27 through March 1, a few weeks later than in years past -- smack on the western edge of the Mediterranean, full of culture and food. And phones. Feel free to hate us now.

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There are 3 comments

Az Syndicate says:

So I supported a major manufacture at 3G now MWC from 2006 to 2008. I pretty vividly remember what we called the Pron Hall that all of the adult entertainment companies had booths set up. I think these interactive booths and staff were much better than booth babes. Think European open mindedness vrs American conservative.

If any of you are going, Vist http://www.mccarthysbarcelona.com/ on Via Laietana and tell Ken to turn off the U2. Negro de Rosa is down a couple stores and is a great place to eat.