First day of the MWC 2016: smartphones and lots of VR

Before we start our second day of meetings and presentations in the Mobile World Congress, let's sum up what happened yesterday. Even though mobile phones (smartphones) are the stars of the MWC, this year we must admit there is a lot of Virtual Reality in each and every stand: LG, Samsung, Microsoft, ...

But let's start with the smartphones:

Sony: We were all expecting a new Xperia Z series but, instead, we found a new family of Xperia X, Xperia XA and Xperia XP. Sony was one of the mobile brands that hadn't had any leaked information, the japanese company announced 3 new mobile devices. The Sony Xperia XP is the new flagship of Sony since it's the chosen one to replace all the Xperia z family.

All the launched devices have a 5 inch screen and a camera that predicts the movement so you can take perfect pictures from objects in movement. The battery is also key in this new family: up to 2 days with only 2700mAH. The screen is a 5” Full HD curved display with a 23 MP camera with Predictive Hybrid Autofocus and a 13 MP front camera for low-light selfies.

Sony has also plans to introduce its devices in the Internet of Things (IoT) with its Xperia Ear (a wireless headset), Xperia Projector and the Xperia Agent (a personal assistant). The company has also launched a VR camera, the Xperia Eye. Maybe it's their way out in a market that seems saturated sometimes, moreover since the company sold 14,7% less smartphones the last quarter. Sony is looking for different products and services to offer, smarter ones, as said by Kazuo Hirai, President and CEO of Sony Corporation.

BQ: The spanish company presented two new devices, the Aquaris X5 Plus and Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition (the same Aquaris M10 but with Ubuntu's OS, it is also a mix of a tablet and a phone). Aquaris X5 plus is a mid-range smartphone that wants to play with the big stars in the mobile industry. BQ proves here that diversification is possible in the same company. The X5 Plus has a 5inch screen and runs Android.

This is the second time we can find BQ in the MWC. Rodrigo de Prado, Director at BQ, has explained that the company is now capable of a lot more than it was before. BQ has matured and now their main goal is to consolidate BQ's presence worldwide.

Samsung: We haven't been able to touch or try the new Samsung S7 or S7 Edge, but here's the information we've been provided with about these devices. The S7 has a 5.1inch flat screen while the Edge has a 5.5inch curved edge display. The camera is the first with dual-pixel technology (to autofocus faster and better with even a sensor that captures details in low light). Of course, there is also a space for the Samsung Gear.

The battery is also a great improvement: you can now wireless charge your Samsung and with they new bigger battery you'll be able to use your phone for more time than usual. The S7 has a 3000mAh and the S7 Edge a 3600 mAh battery. Of course, the S7 and the S7 Edge run the newest Android OS, the 6.0 Marshmallow. Both phones have a 12 megapixels rear camera and a 5 megapixels front camera and are water resistant. The new Samsung smartphones will be sold with 32GB capacity with the possibility of adding a microSD until 128GB.

There is the option also, to have your calendar or time on your screen, even if it is off. This way you won't see your screen in black. There are shortcuts available for those who prefer the curved edge screen of the S7 Edge. Some of the new features are: a ruler, an adjustable flashlight, news or sports results.

LG: The new LG G5 brings a surprise with it. You can now remove the battery from the bottom. Having a modular phone opens your possibilities. Until now, the options LG offers is: changing the battery and adding a handle to transform your smartphone into a regular camera.

What about the camera? LG G5 offers a Wide Angle (135 degrees) or a regular lens. it's rear camera can become from 8 to 16 megapixels. The front camera has 8 megapixels. The screen is 5.3inch and you can choose if you want to have your screen always on with the time o the weather (just like Samsung).

LG has also brought to the MWC its newest drone remote control, its new VR glasses (that, by the way, have pins that are not recommended for people with long hair since they get stuck) and a golf ball-shaped 360 degrees camera.

Lenovo: The new Moto G and the Moto X Force have been a big surprise this year. The Moto G is water resistant (you can even take selfies and pictures under the water), it has also a 13 megapixels camera including a color-balancing dual LED flash and a 5inch HD display with Corning Gorilla Glass. The Moto G has expandable memory with a microSD slot and a 2470 mAh battery that will help you through a day.

The new Moto X Force is very similar to the Moto G but it has one great feature: it's screen is unbreakable. All the time we were in Lenovo's stand, the employees threw the phone over 20 times to the floor and none of them broke, not even a scar.

So, what's the best device right now? we have tried a lot and we still have to recommend the Huawei Honor 5X. Its specifications, quality and price are way better than the new one we have seen. Released by the end of 2015, the Honor 5X has a 5.5inch screen and a 13 megapixel camera. Its Li-On battery of 3000 mAh is also a great feature.

What to expect for today? Sony, Epson or Panasonic are expected to be the stars in the second day of the Mobile World Congress. By now, it seems like VR will become The Wearable this 2016 since all the big companies are presenting one VR device in the MWC 2016.

Mark Zuckerberg, the keynote speaker

Yesterday took place one of the most expected conferences. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, pondered about the future of technology and smart devices. There was also time to express his support to Apple on the San Bernardino shooter case by unlinking the terrorism from the encryptation of iPhones.

Zuckerberg and Facebook's Internet.org want to bring access to internet worldwide, and the CEO of Facebook let that clear by criticizing how companies put first the 5G (one of the most relevant topics of the MWC 2016) rather than access to internet for those people who don't have it.

And what about what will happen in the future? Zuckerberg thinks video and Virtual Reality are the next big thing. "Everyone shares videos that show their lives. and we have to offer the best technology for that" said Zuckerberg. There are already a million hours of video uploaded to Facebook, and the future, as Mark Zuckerberg pointed, is 360 degrees cameras and the opportunity they bring to reach people with VR.

The Mobile Premier Awards

Yesterday we also visited the MPA 2016 by AppCircus where the best apps worlwide meet. This year the best app has been Sharing Academy and the best app for the audience has been Schooltivity. Congratulations!