5 Key Technology Trends From MWC 2022 – Forbes

Last week it felt as if the world was almost back to normal as companies from across the particular tech spectrum converged on Barcelona for Mobile World Congress 2022. There were plenty of announcements on the latest advancements of 5G, networking technology, devices and what the future holds for the virtual world. The accelerated tempo of business operations that we’ve become accustomed to shows no signs associated with slowing down. Here’s a look at a few of the notices and trends that caught my attention.

5G Expansion through Chips to Networks

It’s no surprise that 5G was everywhere at MWC. With the network technology ready to revolutionize the way we live, work, plus play, organizations are taking note and making some headway on everything from chips and devices in order to network expansion and partnerships. These moves indicate that 5G is ready to go mainstream this year.

Qualcomm set the stage with the number associated with 5G ecosystem announcements plus upgrades including its Snapdragon X70 chipset. The new chip now supports a 5G AI processor and integrated 5G Modem-RF system with regard to unparalleled speed and system efficiency. The SnapdragonX70 Mobile-RF System will also support 5G 4-carrier and sub-6 aggregation in addition to dual-SIM and DSDA capabilities. These upgrades will usher in a better customer experience across the mobile spectrum — something we can all look forward to taking advantage of.

AT& T plus Microsoft announced an expanded partnership to release AT& T Private 5G Edge, an integrated platform regarding private networking and edge computing intended for small in order to mid0sized customers. This network will help these businesses get their advantage networks connected quickly and easily.

Cisco also made a significant private 5G announcement and the company further pushed its shift to software plus services with a new Private 5G-as-a-Service launch that I expect will be well received by the customers that will seek in order to benefit through deploying private 5G.

On the devices spectrum, there were a number of announcements and product releases for consumers. From 5G-enabled routers that will deliver fast internet speeds at home to cellular devices plus wearables, 5G hardware will be finally coming into form.

Impressive Laptops Take Center Stage

While 5G played a huge role at MWC, several tech companies announced new tech products that will certainly soon be available to consumers. In recent years, phones have dominated MWC announcements, but this year it was all about the particular laptop, which makes sense because tech businesses look in order to bring increased portability and productivity to consumers who are working in hybrid environments.

Samsung introduced its brand new Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro which will feature upgraded webcams, HD resolution and a deeper integration with other Samsung items making it easier to switch between products.

Lenovo announced its new ThinkPad X13 , developed in collaboration with Qualcomm and Microsoft. This sleek laptop is going to be powered by Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 compute platform. But the best part? It boasts a multi-day battery life plus 5G connectivity for a seamless always-on, always-connected experience. In our hybrid working globe, I think that this type of laptop will become incredibly popular with employees who need to shuffle between the office and house.

The particular PC market has had the renaissance during the Covid years, and I believe the importance of the PC going ahead will remain significant. New form factors of PCs may be shaped more than ever by the way we use our mobile devices. I believe that customers increasingly want to see PCs that operate like our mobile devices, rather than the other method around, which was the advent of the smart phone. Now I look to the device makers, and the nick makers to solve the evolution to cellular PCs and of course this can include long battery-life, 5G connectivity, plus lightweight portable profiles that will deliver mobility and productivity at scale.

Metaverse? Not Yet

While we have been talking about the particular metaverse for some time, most associated with the telcos present in MWC didn’t have any major plans for the new technology in the coming year. But there were some killer exhibitions within a few booths of potential virtual world technologies that have me excited. Within the Qualcomm booth, visitors were able to don Occulus headsets and jump into the particular virtual planet with Wooorld VR . Avatars allow people to end up being anywhere in the world together, regardless of their physical location.

Accenture had a similar demonstration, giving over 60, 000 headphones to workers around the world and letting them connect to presentations and social networking events on their Nth Floor . While there is usually a lot of potential here, the metaverse is definitely still a few years away from being a full time reality, but I definitely believe it will be something we will certainly continue hearing a lot about.

We think most recognize that more robust networks with higher throughput may expand capacity for lighter immersive experiences and associated with course lower latency data and transaction processing. However , there can be still some migration through conceptual in order to real that will should materialize over the particular next few years. 5G will empower the metaverse, not to mention MWC will increasingly highlight that with each passing 12 months.

Impressive Automotive Debuts

With 5G technologies continuing to evolve, we are going to observe more linked cars plus autonomous cars on the road in the arriving years. Which explains why they had been both hot topics from MWC this year. Qualcomm unveiled the latest iteration of its Snapdragon digital chassis that will now includes cloud-as-a-service and upgraded WiFi capabilities. During the company’s press conference CEO Cristiano Amon reiterated Qualcomm’s expanding vision to continue to transform the automotive industry.

In addition to the tech upon the inside of vehicles, there were a couple brand new electric automobiles on display from automakers Renault and Fisker. The Renault Megane, an all-electric vehicle, showcased just how that Qualcomm technology will be used with impressive heads-up displays, augmented fact overlays, audio systems, sign detection plus more. The Fisker Ocean, an all-electric SUV, highlighted the sustainability aspect of the next generation of vehicles with a solar panel roof and sustainably made interiors.

While MWC didn’t have the same auto gravitas since CES, we are increasingly notice MWC gain momentum as an automotive show. The connected future will play out more and more with the particular help associated with chipmakers such as Intel Mobileye, Qualcomm, Marvell, and NVIDIA as we discover the automobile BOM grow to 20% chips within the next 7-8 years. These are the same companies making the technology that will powers our mobile phones, and therefore MWC will all but certainly become more and more of an automotive show. After all, you can’t spell automobile without mobile.

Underlying Theme of Sustainability

While the tech bulletins definitely took center phase for most associated with the event, there has been an underlying theme of durability that could not be missed. Several businesses made sustainability one of their own key messages for that 7 days speaking to how their technologies will enable greener futures. Other booths featured greenery and real plants that underpinned missions for durability. And presently there were a number of presentations on how to create plus develop systems that we need within the entire world in a sustainable way.

A softer trend perhaps, but noticeable nevertheless. Sustainability is finding its footing as the commitments that company’s like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and others possess made over the past few years will be measured. It will become more information driven as consumers turn to see climate action come to life and technologies companies can continue to lead the particular way. As I see it, sustainability, ESG, and social impact will continue in order to be a key part in conferences and they way businesses operate for years to come.

Final Thoughts

MWC 2022 had been definitely smaller in than in years past, but the companies present still put on a show. There are usually exciting things happening throughout the range. 5G is certainly driving connection and innovation in our own devices and vehicles. Companies are catering to consumers more compared to ever to meet the new needs of our cross world. The particular advancements that we saw last week will only continue to drive innovation forwards. MWC 2022 was simply the start of what’s to arrive this season plus I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what’s next.