Photo: 
AP
Phones on wheels: Mobile World Congress

As its name suggests, the Mobile World Congress is about mobile phones. But when the industry’s biggest trade show opens today in Barcelona, visitors will see plenty of cars too. Connected cars will be on display throughout the event, giving a taste of the next big platform battle to come: their electronics will be controlled either by Apple’s CarPlay or Google’s Android Auto. Other hot topics will include wearables (will a serious competitor emerge for Apple’s Watch, due on sale in April?) and 5G, the next generation of wireless-network technology (do consumers actually need it?). And of course there will be plenty of new smartphones. Samsung is likely to get most attention: the show marks the debut of its new flagship model, the Galaxy S6. After its predecessor, the S5, was widely criticised for its all-plastic casing, the South Koreans will be hoping the new metal-and-glass model wins a warmer reception.

Mar 2nd 2015
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