Mobile World Congress Day One: Flamenco, Internet-Connected Coffee And Charlie Joins A J-Pop Band [Gallery]

BARCELONA, MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS – It’s not all suits, bad coffee breath and identikit Android handsets at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Oh no. The world’s biggest mobile device conference also packs in plenty of cultural insensitivity, corporate dorkspeak, and this writer joining a Japanese pop group. Take a look at our wonderful gallery of today, in pictures.

Hey, sheeple! Those are both "up" escalators. — Hey, sheeple! Those are both “up” escalators.

Qualcomm wants to make everything in your home hackable.

The press lounge features Barcelona chairs. In Barcelona.

I have big hands, and even I would have trouble with this new iPad mini. No, I mean... uh..? — I have big hands, and even I would have trouble with this new iPad mini. No, I mean… uh..?

At some point you wonder why people don't just switch to an SLR. — At some point you wonder why people don’t just switch to an SLR.

People will use your camera phones to take pictures, so why not give them something interesting to snap?

Intel made this awesome model of the world, and then ruined it by telling me what all the parts "mean." I shall spare you the same disappointment. — Intel made this awesome model of the world, and then ruined it by telling me what all the parts “mean.” I shall spare you the same disappointment.

This is what the press gets fed at "special" events. Ugh. — This is what the press gets fed at “special” events. Ugh.

Flamenco. Because we're in Andalusia. Wait... — Flamenco. Because we’re in Andalusia. Wait…

Augmented reality. Finally, I'm popular! — Augmented reality. Finally, I’m popular!

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