Mobile World Congress in Barcelona is cancelled due to coronavirus outbreak

Mobile World Congress or MWC, which is the world's largest phone trade show, took the unprecedented step of cancelling the entire show set to happen between February 24 and 27 in Barcelona, Spain. The GSM Association (GSMA), which organizes MWC, has already released a statement about the show's cancellation due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak. The trade show routinely attracts 100,000 visitors from across the world. Several companies, including LG, Amazon, Sony, and NVIDIA, have pulled out of the show ahead of GSMA's announcement citing concerns about the coronavirus. Coronavirus infections have affected over 42,000 people, with the total number of deaths at more than 1,000. 

GSMA CEO John Hoffman said in a statement, "With due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event. The Host City Parties respect and understand this decision. The GSMA and the Host City Parties will continue to be working in unison and supporting each other for MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions. Our sympathies at this time are with those affected in China, and all around the world."

Source: CNET + The Verge

Samsung tipped to be adding 3D emoji and stereo speakers to the Galaxy S9

Venture Beat

Samsung isn’t one to shy away from “borrowing” features from Apple. If reports are to be believed, the company is set to add another feature familiar to Apple iPhone X users: 3D emojis. Samsung will reportedly have their own take on Animojis but will supposedly be more advanced than what Apple is offering. It’ll supposedly be similar in the sense that a 3D character (including animal ones) can track your facial movements and copy those. It’s not surprising that this is coming to the Galaxy S9 as Samsung is set to bring its latest Exynos chip to this device, which the company says has “realistic face-tracking filters” as well as improved security features for unlocking the device using facial recognition.

Aside from adding 3D emojis, rumour has it the Galaxy S9 will be sporting stereo speakers that have Dolby Surround and will be tuned by Samsung-owned acoustics company AKG. The speakers will supposedly be placed at the top and bottom of the phone. We don’t have that long of a wait before Samsung unveils the device. It’s set to debut at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this February 25^th.

Source: The Verge

LG to bring AI camera features to new V30 model

LG is joining the bandwagon of putting artificial intelligence tech into its smartphone’s camera. The South Korean company said they will be showing off “the first of a suite of AI technologies into a new version of the V30 at the upcoming Mobile World Congress. This was leaked earlier in Korea with reports that a phone called the V30s will be coming to MWC and will have AI-powered camera features.

This Vision AI tech, as LG calls it, will be initially focused on image recognition and will provide auto image analysis to recommend shooting modes instantly as well as help recognize objects and offer shopping suggestions (similar to Google Lens on the Pixel devices). The technology will also supposedly be used to offer better low-light performance.

Source: The Verge

The Best Gadgets from Mobile World Congress

The International CES gets all the attention most of the time but the Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona each year is where the big smartphone manufacturers go to show off their latest product.

The powerful gadgets pack a punch, allowing users to accomplish everything from high definition VR gaming to simplistic relaxed stuff like enjoying mobile bingo games on sites like bingo-apps.co.uk or lounging on social media.

This piece looks beyond the silly technologies that will never get to the streets to show you the top 4 gadgets from the congress this year.

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