We’ve returned from an exhausting Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Despite all the hype around the ‘App Zone’ in Hall 7 – MWC is just not cool. It doesn’t get it. MWC is a load of hungover men in their 50s in suits talking about UGC and social networking – having never used either. The show should stick to what it understands – handsets, infrastructure, billing systems, spectrum, mobile operators, backhaul etc.
The App Zone saw almost no disruptive, funky start-ups revolutionising mobile through augmented reality, social networking or similar. Why? Largely because it’s prohibitively expensive. Entrance is 600 euros (though most blag passes from exhibitors), hotels are a fortune, flights are a fortune – and if you want to exhibit, a small stand (3m x3m) starts at about £9k from memory (we exhibited for two years before deciding it was not worthwhile). Money that a start-up is probably better spending on more focussed PR / marketing / servers / salaries / whatever.
Other observations / highlights from MWC:
- Google was dishing out free Nexus Ones and Droids / Milestones to all those who attended their Android Developer Lab. Word got out quickly and there was a scene of uncontrolled mayhem / carnage as everyone scrabbled for entrance into the developer event. Most of those scrabbling were those mentioned above – never having seen a line of code in their lives. Is Google dishing out so many free phones because 1) it’s made of money, 2) it’s clever to place devices in as many developers’ hands as possible, or 3) because they manufactured loads, sold few and are now giving them away to make way for the Nexus Two?
- Swedish Beers – which did attract developers – was packed. Lots of free beers is a sure fire way of attracting developers and start-ups along.
- Everyone was reporting that this year’s event was far quieter than previous events.
- The SonyEricsson X10 is the sexiest thing I’ve ever held. I want one.
- Windows Phone 7 Series might sound like a BMW but it actually looks pretty cool. Shame we have to wait until Q3 (which will inevitably end up being Q4) – by which time it will probably be outdated.
- Nokia was AWOL (who cares?). Apple and Google don’t exhibit because it’s beneath them. They hold their own events which generate far more buzz and hype. Nokia doesn’t – and it therefore needs to exhibit. Which they didn’t – adding further to the perception that they’re failing dismally to keep up with the rapidly advancing world around them.
- Many small companies who previously exhibited were notably absent this year.
- British Airways‘ usually friendly cabin crew were miserable and rude – cost cutting is obviously getting to them. Their sandwiches are also now truly revolting – far better on Easyjet where you pay for food, but get a choice and it tastes good.
MWC is good for a bit of networking and meeting everyone in one place – but it’s not what it was, and it’s totally failing to position itself at the forefront of today’s innovative mobile space. If you were there, what did you think?
Tags: android, apple, droid, google, milestone, mwc, nexus one, nokia, sonyericsson x10
