Members of the mobile and telecommunications industries gathered at the Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona, held from February 26 to 29. The main trends at MWC so far are AI, 5G and always-on connectivity.
We're rounding up the enterprise technology news from MWC that's most relevant to IT and technology decision makers. This article will be updated throughout MWC with more top tech news.
Humane shows its new wearable, the Ai Pin
The Humane AI team demonstrated its mobile phone alternative, called Ai Pin, on the MWC show floor (Figure A). The $699 wearable (plus subscription service) is an intriguing look at a possible future where voice commands to generative AI replace most interactions now done through apps on phones.
The Ai Pin is expected to ship in March 2024. This wearable device is primarily aimed at consumers, but the device could have productivity benefits for remote workers, and the ideas behind the Pin could trickle down to what other device makers make. AI try next.
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Intel bets on 5G and AI
Intel snagged a handful of ads at MWC (Figure B), including:
- Intel's Edge platform, a software platform for businesses to build and manage edge and AI solutions on commodity hardware, will arrive later in the first quarter.
- A preview of Intel's upcoming Xeon processor for 5G core, codenamed Sierra Forest and expected in late 2024.
- A look at Granite Rapids-D, the Xeon processor expected to launch in 2025.
Qualcomm brings together Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and ultra-wideband on a single chip
Qualcomm announced the FastConnect 7900 Mobile Connectivity system, a chip that uses Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth or Ultra Wideband technologies depending on what circumstances require. For enterprise use, the system opens opportunities for proximity-based functionality (e.g., could be used in IoT-enabled factories) and multi-device experiences (e.g., easy file sharing, intelligent audio switching between wireless headphones based on context and usage ). the same mice and keyboards with different PCs, phones and tablets).
Lenovo and Motorola present Smart Connect
An attractive feature of the Apple ecosystem is the ease with which devices can communicate with each other with features like AirDrop and Find My. Lenovo and Motorola will offer some of the same services with Smart Connect, which syncs peripheral controls, notifications, file sharing, and cameras between Lenovo PCs running Windows 10 or later and select Lenovo tablets and Motorola devices (Figure C). Smart Connect will be available for download through the Microsoft or Google Play stores “in the coming months.”
Plus, Motorola had its fun, still-experimental adaptive display on hand, which is flexible enough to allow someone to wear a phone like a bracelet.
rSIM claims protection against mobile downtime
One of the most notable new brands to emerge from MWC 2024 so far is rSIM, whose product focuses on device-agnostic connectivity to provide support during outages. rSIM may accidentally benefit from being able to present its product as a possible solution to outages like the one AT&T experienced last week.
rSIM could be an interesting option for IoT-intensive workplaces to ensure workers stay connected. rSIM sells to mobile operators, device manufacturers and value-added resellers.
Nokia is now Dell's primary partner for enterprise edge use cases
Dell and Nokia have signed a partnership that will allow Dell to take the lead in transitioning customers over time from Nokia AirFrame servers to Dell PowerEdge servers. Additionally, Nokia will be Dell's preferred private wireless partner for enterprise edge use cases. For those enterprise edge use cases, that means it will be easier to integrate the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud private wireless solution with Dell's edge operations software platform, Dell NativeEdge.
Editor's note: TechRepublic covers MWC 2024 remotely.
