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The latest in wearable technology, the most intriguing new tech concepts, and the most exciting developments in the world of mobile and connectivity were at the forefront of the Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. 

#MWC24 took place on February 27-29, 2024, a jam-packed and eventful three days at the world’s largest mobile technology trade conference. “Future Forward” was its overarching theme, and split into six primary concentrations such as “Digital DNA”, “5G and Beyond”, “Connecting Everything”, “Humanizing AI”, “Manufacturing DX”, and “Game Changers”. 

(Also Read: The Best and Brightest at CES 2024)

Each concentration linked up over 450 speakers with in-person attendees from 205 countries. Online, the keynote panels generated over 400,000 unique views on the Mobile World Congress platform along with its partner platforms, translating to a whopping 35,000,000 impressions on Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 

#MWC24’s keynote speakers were a who’s who in tech: Julie Sweet (Chair and CEO of Accenture), Jim Dukhovny (CEO of Alef Aerospace), and Demis Hassabis (Co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind), to name but a few industry leaders who presented talks and sessions. 

Where Emerging Tech is Headed

“AI will be everywhere,” said Carlos Faouzi Barder, Telecom Director at Technology Innovation Institute (TII). “AI is now one of the bases of the new trends and technologies of the future. We cannot survive without AI.” 

AI was everywhere at the Mobile World Congress 2024. From the many concepts on exhibit to the product launches that got the general public buzzing, AI was at the core of every device, software, and discussion that weekend. Business leaders such as Julien Stephan of Siradel said that businesses will have two types of workforces: machines and humans, working alongside each other. 

The next generation of workers will have new skills that equip them to work alongside machines, free them from the tyranny of commuting to physical offices, and empower them to communicate and collaborate with partners from anywhere in the world. 

Apart from AI, 5G was also a special topic that enjoyed the spotlight at the conference. Ushering in the next industrial revolution, 5G and 5G private networks are now showing themselves to be instrumental to businesses’ growth. Thanks to the superior security that 5G private networks offer, it has become more influential in industries over traditional networks. 

As cutting edge as 5G may be, and while the rest of the world waits for 5G to go mainstream, there is already a buzz surrounding 6G. While still very new, it has become ripe for experimentation, speculation, and innovation. Tech insiders say that 6G’s strengths will be concentrated on latency and throughput, which will impact performance and immediacy. 

Jaw-dropping Tech and Devices at #MWC24

Tech heads and gadget enthusiasts were treated to amazing devices at the Mobile World Congress 2024. There was a cornucopia of the latest wearables, laptops, and smartphones, but some of the more intriguing gadgets exhibited were the concepts introduced. Transparent laptop screens, anyone? Here are some of the standouts. 

Lenovo Project Crystal – Here’s a laptop monitor that’s guaranteed to make anyone passing by go “Whoah”. Mind you, it’s only a concept and will not be hitting shops anytime soon. Yes, it looks very cool and edgy, but is anyone ready for a transparent screen? Why would anyone want that? Project Crystal demonstrated what see-through monitors might look like, and if the responses from the tech journalists in attendance were anything to go by, this is one that’s best left as a concept…for now. 

Wraparound smart watches – Motorola offered its concept of a next-level smartwatch—one that wraps around one’s wrist. Featuring a bendy screen, the concept phone has a large, hefty screen that resembles a thick cuff bracelet made of LED. It can also “unbend” and behave like a conventional smartphone. According to Motorola, the device is “contextually aware”, so that its displays adjust depending on whether it’s worn or laid flat. 

Smart rings – The Samsung Galaxy Ring is a smart and sleek wearable that is more than just a concept and is set for future release. A direct competitor to the Oura Ring, it is anticipated to rival features in terms of capability and price. The Galaxy Ring is meant to be a health and wellness tracking and monitoring device that promises to be a lifestyle partner for forming better diet, exercise, and rest habits. 

Flying cars –Alef Aeronautics wowed the press and participants with its vertical takeoff flying car prototype. Capable of seating two passengers, Euronews reported that it is set to have a driving range of 320 kilometers. Its flying range is set to have the same distance. 

AI-powered pets – There wasn’t just one but two robot dogs at the Mobile World Congress 2024. First, there was the Dynamic 1. Dynamic 1 is a robotic AI-powered dog that takes its cue from the German Shepherd. It is designed to mimic a real dog, and can understand commands such as “sit”, “shake”, and “jump”. It can climb up and down stairs and do handstands. But wait! Xiaomi also showed its robotic dog at #MWC24. The Cyberdog 2 is more compact than its predecessor, and features improved sensors. The jury is still out on which robot dog is cuter. 

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