The Microsoft stand this year took a very different appearance. It’s relatively small and carpeted, but has no logos, staff or products on display. The same can be said for the Android / Google stand, which is similarly sparse with a distinct lack of free drinks and snacks this year.
Yes, I’m joking, but Mobile World Congress really feels new this year. In reality Microsoft appear to have a number of Windows 8 devices sitting on the Nokia stand and the Android OS is ever-present in pretty much every handset you see and pick up, plus they’ve just collected the “Best Mobile Tablet” GSMA award for the Asus / Google Nexus 7. Speaking of those awards, Samsung have yet again won “Device Manufacture of the Year” and “Best Smartphone” for the Galaxy SIII. Nokia won “Best Feature phone” for the Nokia Asha 305 which, at least, proves that the company can still shift a lot of entry-level handsets.
I shouldn’t perhaps be so hard on Nokia. Their stand is very busy, and there’s still a huge amount of attendees visiting it daily. Their brand might have been dented recently, and the Windows Phone handsets continue to struggle somewhat against the huge opposition, but they’re still here and they’re still a force to be reckoned with.
Whilst the big players show off their latest and greatest phones and tablets (by the way, I was particularly impressed with the Xperia Z tablet, it’s a fantastic bit of kit), the likes of Fujitsu and Doro are scooping up a section of those customers who “just want a phone that makes calls”.
However, day three of Mobile World Congress is about to start, so keep an eye on our Twitter feed for all todays action.
I realise Nokia are the major partner for WP8 but surely you would expect MS to be at a major exhibition really bigging up the platform?
Why? Google, Apple and Blackberry aren’t there in an official capacity either?
Well, as I said in my original entry, to big up the platform, I doubt if WP8 or Windows 8 tablets are selling in huge amounts, the MWC would have been an ideal platform to try and get some good press out there and drive sales. I see very few Windows tablets or phones out and about on my commute.
MWC isn’t a consumer event, it’s a tradeshow. Everyone in attendance should already be aware of what Windows Phone is all about. Having a presence just to represent the OS would be a massive waste of money. MWC is for launching new stuff, not rehashing old stuff, no journalist is going to waste any time at a booth like that, which is why none of them bother with it