MWC 2010: Top 10 show tech

gallery

6)Thinking outside the box

Israeli firm Else claims it’s trying to do something revolutionary when it comes to mobile phones, essentially ripping up traditional design and starting again.

The tech behind the phone is open source – Access Linux – with a custom-made interface overlaid that puts the user’s thumb at the centre of the action.

There’s no word on how much it’ll cost users or when exactly it will launch as that will be in the hands of the operators.

7)Small but perfectly formed?

Good things that come in small packages were the order of the show at this year’s MWC. HTC unveiled the HD Mini, while Sony Ericsson took the wraps of its own shrunken down tech in the form of the Xperia X10 Mini and Mini Pro.

While the size of these devices may mean they’re not ideal for 24/7 use, the manufacturers have packed a great deal into the form factor so we think they definitely have a promising future.

8)Something for BlackBerry fans

RIM excited users with two big announcements at MWC. A browser upgrade will please those who’ve not been that happy with what the current version has to offer. There was also more good news to come for smaller businesses, with the company’s chief executive Mike Lazaridis using his keynote speech to confirm that a free, Express version of the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) would be made available to them.

“In a marketplace where smartphones are becoming ubiquitous, BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express significantly raises the bar by providing a cost-effective solution that allows companies of all sizes to support enterprise-grade mobile connectivity for all employees without compromising security or manageability,” he said in an accompanying statement.

9)Solar-powered phone

When people think of Puma, they rightly associate the company with sports gear, but that’s changing as it makes a move into the mobile space.

Using Sagem hardware, Puma’s mobile has a sporty flavour and therefore comes with the sort of tools you’d expect, such as a pedometer. Round the back of the handset – which will be available in the second quarter of the year – you’ll find a solar panel. Let’s just hope it’s sunny while you’re jogging around the park.

“The PUMA Phone will be a milestone in the mobile market as the first mobile device completely tailor designed, from the inside out, with technology and services that improve experience and connect a brand community ” Sagem’s chief executive Thierry Buffenoir, said in a statement back in October last year when the phone was first announced.

10)Education for all nations

It’s one thing to recognise that the mobile industry is a powerful force and another to try and use that power for good. But that’s exactly what happened at MWC as Her Majesty, Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan used the event to launch a mission to ensure every child around the world can go to school by 2015.

The 1GOAL: Education for All mobile campaign – which unites operators, FIFA, football stars, charities and others - will try to address the fact that more than 70 million of the world’s children don’t get the chance to receive even the most basic of primary school-level teaching.

“1GOAL is about people-power… the largest ever, never-before-done, cause-related campaign of its kind,” Her Majesty said in a statement. “And I hope that those of you in the mobile ecosystem who haven’t done so, will join up and sign up before our kick-off in April.”

Email to a friend

Print this page