STMicro's invisible lasers could bring touchless gesture control to smartphones

PCWorld - Using an infrared laser, ST Microelectronics’ new proximity detector for mobile phones can measure distances to within a centimeter or two.

The component could enable future smartphones to repond to more sophisticated touchless commands, distinguishing between as many as eight simple hand gestures, said company representatives on the STMicro stand at Mobile World Congress.

Traditional proximity detectors contain a sensor that detects when a beam of infrared light from an adjacent LED is reflected off a nearby object. While the intensity of the reflected light can give some information about the proximity of the object, this can also be affected by the object’s color or surface finish. Typically, they are placed next to the phone’s earpiece or front-facing camera.

Software running on a demo phone showed a traditional detector responding strongly to objects within about 5 cm, but barely reacting beyond that. The same app also showed the new detector’s response varying proportionally with the distance to an obstacle, out to about 50 cm.    Read More

Samsung Galaxy S5 reveals its hidden features

We knew all about the Galaxy S5's heart-rate monitor and fingerprint scanner, but dig a little deeper and there's a lot more going on.

CNET - BARCELONA, Spain -- Spend a little time with the Samsung Galaxy S5 and you'll quickly see that there's more to this flagship smartphone than the heart-rate monitor on the back and the optional fingerprint scanner on the front.

Of course, those are some of the phone's defining characteristics, but beyond the attention-grabbing headlining acts are three interesting and useful little gems.


Toolbox

If you explore the Settings menu or the quick access settings in the notifications pulldown, you'll notice a quiet little option called Toolbox. Toggle it on and a white dot appears, inscribing an ellipsis. Tap this and it will expand to reveal shortcuts to popular tools like the camera, voice recorder, browser, calculator, and the notes app -- but you can swap for other apps.   Read More

Mobile World Congress - Day Two Highlights

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 review: Premium small tablet for premium price

You get what you pay for with this slate. This 8.4-inch tablet brings a comfortable design, smooth performance, and an incredible screen in one package.     Read More

Ford shows off a different kind of mobile device

At Mobile World Congress Ford introduced the 2015 Focus to the world. Since we're at a tech show, we took a good look at the tech inside.    Read More

Dolby to bring Atmos cinema sound to mobile

The audio company has special algorithms that deliver spatial sound similar to its Atmos technology to your basic headphones.    Read More

Samsung Gamepad is a slick Bluetooth controller

Samsung wants to turn your smartphone into a games console, with a chunky Xbox-style controller. We see how it plays in this hands-on video    Read More

Hands-on with the bare-bones ZTE Open II Firefox phone

The Open II features a 2-megapixel camera and Firefox OS, and has its sights on emerging markets.    Read More

Unique smartphones boast encryption, e-ink

Several smartphones unveiled at Mobile World Congress stand out with unusual features, like the untraceable Blackphone, the durable Toughpad, and the dual-screen YotaPhone. And BlackBerry strays from the pack by bringing back the trackpad.    Read More

Mobile World Congress Day One Highlights

Samsung unveils the Galaxy S5

The wait is over. No more rumors, just facts. This is Samsung's much anticipated superphone freshly unveiled at Mobile World Congress.   Read More 

HTC brings style to the mid-range segment with the Desire 816 (hands-on)

The new Desire 816 is the company's flagship for a new mid-tier lineup and sports a design based on the One series of devices.   Read More

Nokia Asha 230 shows off teeny-tiny touchscreen

It's incredibly basic, but the minuscule Asha 230 has an adorable design, and will set you back very little cash.   Read More

The Nvidia Tegra Note 7 adds LTE

Nvidia's updatd Tegra Note 7 keeps its Tegra 4 processor and adds a i500 modem, coming soon for $299.    Read More

First Ubuntu phones revealed (pictures)

Take an exclusive first look at the first Ubuntu phones, the Meizu MX3 and BQ Aquaris, in our hands-on photos.    Read More

Mobile World Congress in Video: Sony updates its Xperia lineup

We've told you about the changes Sony's introducing to its Xperia smartphones and tablets. Now see the new Xperia Z2 phone for yourself in this video report.    Read More

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Mobile World Congress - February 24-27 - Info, Photos & More

About Mobile World Congress:

Mobile is a catalyst of change and innovation. Mobile is creating the next connected device that transforms communication. Advancing the next payment system that alters commerce. Launching the next must-have app that changes how we interact.

Mobile World Congress is the blueprint for the NEXT big innovation. Whatever is coming NEXT will likely be born at Mobile World Congress 2014 – either announced on stage during our Conference programme, showcased in our award-winning Exhibition, or conceived during one of the thousands of meetings taking place during the week.

If you’re a part of the mobile industry, you won’t want to miss it. Join us in Barcelona where we are Creating What’s NEXT. 

About the Event

 

Depending on the type of pass selected, attendees can take advantage of the many components that make up this industry-leading event:

• A world-class thought-leadership Conference featuring visionary keynotes and panel discussions
• A cutting-edge product and technology Exhibition featuring 1,700 exhibitors
• The world’s best venue for seeking industry opportunities, making deals, and Networking
• App Planet, the Centre of the Mobile Apps Universe, where the mobile app community gathers to learn, network and engage with innovators
• mPowered Industries, a new conference and exhibition programme taking place in Fira Montjuïc for those in the Health, Advertising, Broadcast and Travel industries
• And the Global Mobile Awards programme, where we recognise advancements and achievements in the industry

Galaxy S5: More than just another phone

The curtain goes up for the Galaxy S5 on Monday. Woe be to Samsung if the new flagship phone falls short of blockbuster status.

Smart pacifier among best of British startups (pictures)

 

New smartphone OSes to challenge Android at Mobile World Congress 

 

And, be sure to check out Engadget's Events page to stay up to date!

 

Mozilla Unveils Firefox OS Smartphones At Mobile World Congress

 

ReadWrite - It started with a gecko, of sorts. It then became a fennec, a type of winter fox. Now, it is a smartphone, and soon it will be available all over the world. 

We are, of course, talking about Firefox OS, the open source, Web-based smartphone operating system created by Mozilla. The company announced Sunday at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, that it has partnered with device manufacturers and mobile operators across the world to launch Firefox smartphones in 2013. 

Mozilla also officially launched the Firefox Marketplace, an app store featuring mobile Web applications and websites that will be able to operate on the new smartphones. Both the Firefox OS and Marketplace are optimized towards HTML5 development and open Web standards using Mozilla’s Firefox browser as its backbone.

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