CTIA WIRELESS 2008 played host to a global contingent of more than 40,000 attendees from 125 countries at the Las Vegas Convention Center April 1 - 3, says the CTIA Wireless Association.
More than 1,200 exhibitors showcased the latest in handsets, accessories, applications, content and infrastructure technologies that are driving the worldwide evolution of mobile services. Established and emerging companies on hand at CTIA WIRELESS introduced new products:
- Microsoft announced Windows Mobile 6.1 and IE Mobile 6
- Yahoo! Mobile launched oneSearch 2.0, with text and voice queries
- Handsets and Smartphones: Samsung Instinct; Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition; Kyocera E4600; Sony Ericsson Z750a and XPERIA 1X with Windows Mobile; HTC Touch Dual, Motorola, LG Vu, RIM Curve 8330 with GPS;
- Clearwire, Intel and Motorola demonstrated WiMAX
- Velocity Mobile debuted and announced its Velocity 103 handset - Nokia introduced the N810 tablet, WiMAX version
As always, CTIA WIRELESS attendees were excited by the introduction of new devices at this year's show. The coveted CTIA Emerging Technology "Best in Show" award, chosen by CTIA WIRELESS attendees via text voting, went to the Instinct by Samsung, available exclusively from Sprint Nextel.
"CTIA WIRELESS is a dynamic, global marketplace for mobile content, products and services," said Robert Mesirow, CTIA vice president and show director. "And we expect further growth over the coming year as our booth space for 2009 has already sold out."
Attendees enjoyed insight and commentary from a diverse group of keynote speakers this year, discussing the various ways mobile technologies are affecting our lives. From the carrier perspective, Sprint Nextel President and CEO Dan Hesse, Verizon Wireless President and CEO Lowell McAdam, Virgin Group Founder and Chairman Richard Branson and Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin shared their views on mobility and future subscriber offerings. Content and application providers Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division and Marco Boerries, president of Yahoo! Mobile shared their views on branding and the mobile lifestyle. And, former U.S. senators and 2008 presidential candidates John Edwards and Fred Thompson spoke to attendees on the closing day of the conference about the ways technology has impacted the electoral process. Keynote video highlights may be viewed at:
daily.ctia.org/wireless2008/
This year, CTIA WIRELESS also began a green initiative to reduce waste and promote green business practices. Non-profit GreenerVegas.org reports that CTIA's paper recycling efforts during the show yielded 18,780 lbs of paper, saving:
- 160 trees, or a newspaper subscription for 328 years;
- 65 barrels of oil, or 11 months of gasoline for a family car;
- 65,730 gallons of water, or enough water to wash a car 1,315 times;
- 37,560 kilowatts of energy, or enough power to operate a refrigerator for 13.9 years.