Mobile World Congress – Highlights 2015

Auf dem Mobile World Congress 2015 in Barcelona gab es wieder mehr zu sehen als nur die neuesten Smartphones und Wearables: IoT und Connected Car sowie die nächste Mobilfunkgeneration 5G waren weitere Top-Themen. mm1 gibt einen Überblick über die wichtigsten Trends und Highlights des diesjährigen MWC.

1. Internet of Things: About to Conquer Everyday Life.

  • Growing importancs of M2M technology that connects devices and things network-agnostic to IoT platforms
  • The global cellular m2m connections are aboutl reach two billion by 2020 in best case scenarios
  • Cloud infrastructure to accommodate data seems to be the dominating approach
  • AT&T integrates its home security and automation service “Digital Life” and connected car service “Drive”

2. Connected Car: The (R)Evolution Continues!

  • Volvo’s & Ericsson’s Traffic and Vehicle Cloud: sharing traffic and road data via cloud to improve comfort and safety on the road (car2gov, car2car)
  • Connected E-Bikes – Ford announces launch of a new Smart Mobility Concept: the partner app MoDe:Link supports navigation (handlebars vibrate when to make a turn), dynamic routing and controls the amount of pedal assists by the electric motor
  • Visa and Accenture showcase an all-in-one solution for an in-car mobile commerce system

3. Cloud, Security & Identity: Addressing Rising Complexity.

  • Cloud: Ericsson shows advanced cloud management with a hyper scale upgrade while Apcera launches the first hybrid Cloud Operating System
  • Security: Intel’s McAfee VirusScan Mobile for Android is pre-installed on Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge; ZTE integrates Eyeprint ID (eye-based biometric system) on its Grand S3
  • Identity: GSMA pushes Mobile Connect, a service that creates and manages universal identity that authenticates users in order to access mobile and digital services via mobile devices

4. Smart Devices: Incremental Hardware Innovations.

  • OEM: Major players of wearables, smartphones and tablets enhance hardware features and focus on fashionable designs
  • Wearables: Huawei Talkband B2 (all-in-one Tracker), Pebble Time Watch (compatible to Android and iOS), LG Watch Urban (mature and voguish design, mobile payment via NFC)
  • Smartphones and Tablets: Samsung presents the world’s first curved edge display on Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge; HTC One M9 comes wiht an aluminum mono-block design; Sony offers with its Xperia Z4 a versatile Table

5. Mobile Operating Systems: Attackers Hold Their Ground.

  • Samsung pushes Tizen to lessen dependency on Android; it connects various devices including Smart TVs, smartphones, tablets across industries, i.e. cars, biotechnology, banking
  • Ubuntu enhances mobile platform: now available for smartphones, tablets, TV sets and PCs. Meizu MX4 becomes the second smartphone running it; BQ launched Aquaris E4.5 early 2015
  • Firefox OS disappoints: No enhancements announced; supports Panasonic Ultra HD 4K TV and enters 13 new markets with focus on developing countries with low-profile device needs

6. Mobile Networks: New Opportunities Ahead.

  • 5G: SK Telecom wants to become the pioneer; announced its plans to deploy 5G across the country in time for the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
  • Huawei highlights 5G’s low latency as their showcase of self-driving cars predicts a massive improvement of responsiveness
  • MVNO: Google announced to become a mobile virtual network operator later in 2015 by offering branded wireless services; trying to raise pressure on pricing models
  • Internet.org: Zuckerberg wants to connect more users in developing countries; EU players are increasingly frustrated by the regulatory imbalance between Telco’s and Internet players

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