GSMA begins in Barcelona
As thousands descend on Barcelona, the world's largest cell phone show is about to begin. CNET is here to bring you the newest cell phones and hottest news of the show.
We told you that were going to the GSMA World Congress (formerly known as 3GSM), and now we have arrived. After a long flight from San Francisco, and a layover somewhere in Germany, I landed in Barcelona ready for a long sleep. After recharging myself, and my gadgets (good thing I remembered those electrical adapters), I took off for a walk to see the sights. Though GSMA doesn't begin until Monday, the city is already buzzing with thousands of visitors. As the largest mobile show in the world, GSMA has completely taken over the city. Indeed, when I checked into the apartment I rented, the landlord told me that every hotel room in the city was booked. On the streets, it feels as if it is the height of the tourist season in August.
I walked to the Fira de Barcelona, where the show will take place. Set on the Plaça d'Espana at the foot of Montjuic, GSMA covers eight separate buildings with outdoor space in between. At first glance, it doesn't seem quite as massive as the Las Vegas Convention Center during CES, but when I passed through they were still setting up. Come Monday, I may say differently. Yet, no matter how chaotic it is, it's a thousand times prettier than Las Vegas. Though none of the buildings are designed by Gaudi, the various pavilions climb up Mountjuic toward the Olympic Stadium, and the Museu Nacional d'Art Catalunya. The food at the show looks better too...I'll gladly choose a tapas bar over a Sparro pizza stand.
I couldn't get a look inside, so I can't give you any sneak peeks at the moment. But anyone who is anyone in the cell phone world will here. I'm certain that the news will come fast and furious. Of course, there won't be a CDMA phone to be found, but that hasn't stopped Samsung and LG from showing up in force. They've plastered posters all over town, from the airport to Las Ramblas. Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, LG, and Microsoft are holding news conferences starting tomorrow, so we know they'll be lots to show you in words, pictures, and video. Be sure to check back during the week to see what we'll have to offer.