While the world economy has partially recovered since last year’s subdued Mobile World Congress convention in Barcelona, for many participating vendors, the future is still clouded with uncertainty. Companies such as Nokia, which expects to sell 500 million mobile phones in 2010, are looking forward to continued and gaining further traction, like Google and its open-source Android mobile operating system.
First time, Nokia has opted out of the Mobile World Congress this year, another trend set by Apple, which eschews industry get-togethers in favor of its own, carefully choreographed events.
The Web search giant last month started to sell the Nexus One, a touchscreen smartphone it sells directly to consumers, bypassing the operators who normally control the sale of phones in Europe and the U.S.
Nokia will host some meetings nearby, but is reported not to be planning any new phone launches.
Google’s high-profile presence at the show with a keynote speech from Chief Executive Eric Schmidt will remind the industry just how quickly relationships and revenue sources that once seemed assured can change