BARCELONA, Spain — Attendees of the Mobile World Congress show here have been treated to a range of new devices, from startups to multibillion-dollar entrenched players, evidence that the world’s cellphone industry continues to rush along at an almost breathless clip.
Nokia Corp., Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and other major cellphone manufacturers used the European show to unveil their high-end wares to the world, hoping to generate buzz among the public and interest among the world’s cellphone distributors, most notably the large contingent of wireless carriers on-hand.
But buzz was not confined to companies with millions to throw at the latest technology trend; Garmin and modu were among those hoping to challenge established competitors with their own innovative plays.
However, the industry’s most notable cellphone upstart — Apple Inc. — was nowhere to be found. The company was not listed among the hundreds of exhibitors at the Mobile World Congress, and its executives, including CEO Steve Jobs, were missing in action.
Nonetheless, gadget announcements at such trade shows often highlight the technology and design trends within the cellphone industry, and often leave industry watchers guessing as to what will stick and what will not. This year’s show was no different.
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