Watches, Robots Suitcases: Mobile Gadget Highlights
Tech companies showcased countless connected gadgets at the world's biggest wireless telecom fair, the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which wrapped up on Thursday. Here is a selection of highlights:
CURVY SMARTPHONES
The world's biggest phone-maker, South Korean firm Samsung, stole the show for handsets, moving to compete against Apple's iPhone 6 with its own new flagship smartphone, the S6 Galaxy Edge: super-slim, weighing 132 grams (4.7 ounces) with a five-inch screen that curves around the edges and a wireless charger.
CONNECTED SMARTWATCHES
South Korean firm LG unveiled a luxury wristwatch, the LG Watch Urbane LTE, with its own SIM network card that lets the wearer make calls, receive emails and search the web from their wrist. Unlike previous smartwatch models, it does not need to be linked to a mobile phone. Numerous other firms released smartwatches, looking for a foothold before Apple launches its Apple Watch in April.
VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSET
Hip Chinese phone maker HTC presented a virtual reality headset that it promises to launch as a consumer product this year. Chunky black plastic strapped around your head on the outside, with 360-degree virtual worlds inside that immerse the viewer in video games or films. Tech bloggers hailed it as a game-changer for virtual reality entertainment to compete with another forthcoming VR device, Oculus Rift.
REMOTE-CONTROL ROBOTS
South Korean operator SK Telecom demonstrated a robot whose movements mimicked those of a person wearing a set of wireless sensors. The wireless signal was transmitted through a prototype of a "5G" network -- the next generation of ultra-fast and reliable mobile coverage. Operators hope that from the year 2020 5G will be able to support activities such as remote-controlled robots carrying out surgery or working in disaster zones.
CONNECTED SUITCASE
Californian tech company Bluesmart has made a "smart suitcase" that promises to save stress for travellers by weighing itself and letting the user track it constantly via a smartphone application. Spanish operator Telefonica announced at the show that it will provide mobile connections to operate the trackable case.
Source: Agence France Presse
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