Translated from 日本語 • View original Hello! I'm Engineer TORII from ISAO. I went to Mobile World Congress 2019 (commonly known as MWC), which was held in Spain from February 25th to March 1st.
MWC 2019 (Fira Barcelona Grand Via)
To sum up MWC, there were many exhibits related to the next-generation communication standard 5G, and many hardware and services, including 5G-compatible smartphones, which will be deployed in earnest from the second half of this year, were exhibited.
The number of services that take advantage of the capabilities of 5G, which is expected to increase network speed, latency, and the number of connected devices more than tenfold from the current 4G, was overwhelming, and each had its own characteristics.
Of course, in addition to 5G-related, there were many exhibits in various fields such as AI, smartphones, wearable devices, smart cities and homes, autonomous vehicles, and robots, and many interesting products were scattered.
Today, I would like to introduce some of the products that caught my attention.
Smartphones
There is no need to mention it because it has been reported here and there, but it is something that I personally paid attention to, so I will introduce it at the beginning.
Huawei's Mate X and Samsung's Galaxy Fold, which were attracting attention,
It was in a glass case like this, and I couldn't touch it. It's a pity.
SonyMobile's Xepria 1 and Galaxy S10 series were actually on display.
Xperia 1
First of all, from the Xperia 1 from Sony Mobile Communications.
This is a demonstration of the function that converts SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) video to HDR (High Dynamic Range) video by applying the technology cultivated at Bravia TV.
It's hard to tell from the photo, but it's a very bruised color.
Here is a demo to experience DOLBY ATMOS sound. Although DOLBY ATMOS equipped devices are not uncommon these days, for me as a first-time experiencer, the difference when I switched off and on was completely different when I actually listened to it.
Xepria 1 really seems to put a lot of effort into the picture and sound.
Galaxy S10
Announced just before MWC Galaxy S10 also has a lineup of four models: S10, S10e, S10 plus, and S10 5G.
Pictured is the Galaxy S10 5G.
The Galaxy S10 series also supports DOLBY ATMOS. In addition, it seems that there is a function to reduce the distracting navigation bar that could not be erased in Pixel 3 and replace it with an upward swipe. It's nice to be able to make use of the wide screen.
Others
In addition to other well-known companies in Japan such as Huawei, Xiaomi, and LG, various manufacturers announced and exhibited a large number of new devices on a scale that was honestly no longer distinguishable from companies that were not known in Japan.
Still, for example, Huawei has moved to an external foldable display (foldable), Samsung has a foldable display, Sony Mobile has a display with a new aspect ratio of 21:9, LG has a front camera with "hand gesture Air Motion", Xiaomi/Oppo has a gimmick in which the camera pops out, Unlike last year's notch monoshiki, I found it very interesting that each manufacturer has evolved in a slightly different direction.
However, the price of these conspicuous terminals has risen considerably, especially the foldable type is expensive at more than 200,000 yen, and if it is released in Japan, this year the complex fee form that combines the carrier's terminal fee and communication fee will be prohibited and there will be no subsidy at the time of device purchase, so the terminal price will rise apparently.
There are many questions such as how many users will buy expensive devices like the Galaxy Fold and Mate X, and what will happen to the case and protective film.
SK Telecom
South Korea's SK Telecom announced a VR platform that allows members gathered in virtual space to watch the same video together through their avatars.
The movements of the avatar are comical and you can take various reactions, so it's interesting to watch from the side.
However, my eyes were glued to the display more than that.
I've heard rumors for a long time, but when viewed from the front, the image is transparent, and when viewed from the back, it is transparent. I wondered.
There were places other than SK Telecom that used transparent displays to exhibit. However, SK Telecom was the only company that used it on such a large scale.
This is good to stand out if you have one in your company.
Giant iTab
My personal favorite is this Gaiant iTab.
As you can see, it is a multi-touch Full HD display in the shape of a huge smartphone.
There are three types: 27, 42, and 55 inches, and it is compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows.
At first, I thought it was just a mirrored product internally, but it seems to be working standalone.
I don't think it was like an ant before, but it's perfect for calling people to the company to demo the mobile app.
Nubia
Nubia, which held a new product launch event on the 25th, the first day, immediately exhibited the Nubia α, a smartphone (not a watch, not a watch) with a display that is quite large for a wearable device.
Since it is a flexible display, the display bends to your arm.
Not only can it be controlled with familiar operations such as tap, double tap, and swipe, but it can also be operated with hand gestures by the onboard camera. It's a bit interesting.
When I held it in my hand, the touch felt smooth. However, if you put it on your arm a little, it's a little rough. Maybe it's just a habit.
Oh yes, the double-sided display type smartphone Nubia X was also on display.
Since there are displays on both sides of the smartphone, there is no front camera and no distracting notch because it can be replaced with a rear camera. I feel a little caught off guard by the fact that I had that hand.
Normally, it is enabled when the terminal is turned over and facing up, and in specially made games, the game screen is displayed on the surface, and the back can be used as a touch panel or sub-display.
NTT Docomo
Remote operation in a 5G environment, live analysis of cycling, ultra-horizontal giant displays, security equipment used at airports, etc. (why are you making such a thing?) Docomo had various offerings.
The most brilliant of these was the 5G Cyver Jam Session, which uses 5G to project performers from a distance onto the stage while synchronizing sound and video.
(Be careful as there is a sound)
Until now, there was latency on the network, and it was difficult to synchronize the sound in remote areas, but taking advantage of the low latency of 5G, the woman on the left is actually singing in a booth about 10 to 20 meters away.
I had the impression that the video was slightly delayed, but the sound matched perfectly. That's amazing.
4YFN
I also went to 4YFN, a startup exhibition held in conjunction with MWC.
At first, I wondered what 4YFN stood for, but when I looked it up, I found out that it is an abbreviation for "4 years from now", and it seems that it is held with the aim of finding the technology of startups that will grow and bring change (to the world) in the next four years.
The 4YFN venue was a little far from the main venue, and a shuttle bus used to travel to and from the main venue. MWC attendees are free. It's convenient, isn't it?
NovaMeat
According to the brochure at the venue, more than 500 companies participated in this asset, and the one that I particularly remembered was the product of NovaMeat.
What kind of products are we developing......
BEEF STEAK!
Yes, it is a plant-based "meat" made with a 3D printer.
No, no, can you make something like that!? At first, I wondered.
But slowly, albeit little by little, the 3D printer is building up and thickening the meat.
The ingredients seem to be vegetable protein powder and seaweed, but they aimed for a texture similar to real chicken.
It seemed to take more than 30 minutes to complete, and the audience was staring at it with the same sadness.
Then I started baking. Seasoning is also well added.
After this, I ate a lot (I missed the picture!). ）。
The control panel looks like this, very simple.
It's also nice that it's a little retro.
At present, it still costs about 2-3 euros to make 100g of meat. However, if development in this direction progresses and costs and taste improves, the realization of food replicators may not be a dream.
Conclusion
There were many other VR/MR exhibits, but it is very disappointing that I cannot introduce them all.
While it is being called 5G and 5G, I personally have some doubts about whether we can really expect that much from 5G, but I felt firsthand that each company is putting more effort into it than in the case of 3G/4G, and that a very fierce battle is taking place in the world (it is difficult to notice when you are in Japan).
Perhaps, once the service is launched, 5G will take the world by storm in just a few years, and the competition for content will become fierce accordingly. We must also make sure we don't miss the ride.
In addition, Apple has not participated in MWC in previous years, but has not announced any information related to 5G at this time. With a lawsuit with Qualcomm and no development to 5G in sight, it is worth paying attention to what will happen in the future.