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Google's MWC booth an Android wonderland (photos)

Google's playful booth drew MWC crowds to its stations in an almost carnival-like atmosphere. Moreover, it reaffirmed Android's brand dominance through sky-high levels of interaction and reward.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Jessica Dolcourt
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1 of 16 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Welcome to the fairgrounds

Expecting the calm of thinning crowds on the last day of the show, I was surprised to instead brave the hordes at Google's MWC booth.

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2 of 16 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Like a Polaroid picture

Wait in line for a ride down Google's two-story booth slide, smile at the end of the chute, and pick up your photo and a coveted pin.

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3 of 16 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

She's got "pinterest"

A Google booth worker explains how this attendee can get her first pin.

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4 of 16 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Oh, these pins?

Gathering or trading for all 86 pins was many attendees' ultimate goal, like this guy, who turned down trade offers in his quest to fill out his collection.

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5 of 16 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Now we're talking

It was only a matter of time before Google made good on Android's role as an ice-cream man.

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6 of 16 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Now this is what I call...

...unwrapping Ice Cream Sandwich.

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7 of 16 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Om nom nom

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8 of 16 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Custom cases

Giant robots are for more than just show. This one picks up tiny "gems" and glues them to a plastic Galaxy Nexus case. If you win the drawing, you can take one home.

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9 of 16 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Which one would you choose?

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10 of 16 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Camera man

Why erect a camera stand when you can affix one to a plastic Android?

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11 of 16 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

All your plushies are belong to me

A tablet controls the claw arm that grasps for Android plush dolls. The word on the street is that the tablet ratchets up the difficulty.

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12 of 16 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Lazy river

A conveyor belt hugging a large swath of the booth puts a history of Android smartphones on display.

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13 of 16 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Design wall

Google commissioned a third-party company to create a tactile interactive wall using Ice Cream Sandwich as a starting inspiration.

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14 of 16 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Everybody's favorite droid

They may wear suits, but Android fans weren't shy about sharing their inner childhood glee.

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15 of 16 Roger Cheng/CNET

One classy bar

When the ice cream sandwiches weren't around, Google employees served an array of sweets and drinks to tired convention goers.

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16 of 16 Roger Cheng/CNET

Down we go

A woman enters a slide from the second floor of Google's booth. A popular fixture at last year's booth, it made a return for this year's Mobile World Congress.

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