By Sam Oliver
Published: 08:10 AM EST (05:10 AM PST)
The biggest mobile trade show in the world, the Mobile World Congress, will host the first-ever Macworld Mobile next February in Barcelona, Spain.
The new Macworld Mobile will be focused on developers who create applications for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The event is scheduled for Feb. 14-17, 2011, in Barcelona.
GSMA, the organization that puts on the annual Mobile World Congress, has partnered with IDG World Expo, organizers of Macworld, for the event, which will focus exclusively on software developed for iOS devices. The developer conference will offer technical sessions, targeting tools and applications.
"We're excited to bring Macworld Mobile to Mobile World Congress," said Mary Dolaher, chief executive officer of IDG World Expo. "Macworld is known around the world for helping to drive and stimulate the Apple products community with educational programs and business development activities. At Mobile World Congress, we will help international iOS developers to strengthen their skills, as well as facilitate connections with other developers and the worldwide audience of mobile decision makers who attend."
This year's Mobile World Congress saw the introduction of "App Planet," its first-developer focused portion of the show. The success of the 2010 program inspired the GSMA to expand it for next year's event.
"App Planet proved to be a stunning success in its debut this year at Mobile World Congress, demonstrating the tremendous demand for in-depth content, networking and business development opportunities and information on the cutting-edge technologies and solutions in the mobile application space," said Michael O'Hara, chief marketing officer, GSMA. "The developments we are announcing today, particularly the launch of Macworld Mobile which will target the critical Apple developer community, will serve to make App Planet and Mobile World Congress the epicenter for the app world."
In addition, Apple competitors Research in Motion and Palm were also named as partners for next year's App Planet.
Keynote speakers for the 2011 Mobile World Congress include Randall Stephenson, CEO of AT&T, as well as Eric Schmidt, chief executive of Google.
In years past, the iPhone has
dominated the MWC despite the fact that Apple itself has never participated in the congress. This year, officials with the trade show noted they would love to have Apple
take part, but the company rarely participates in events they do not put on themselves.
Apple even
stopped participating in the Macworld Expo in 2009, noting that trade shows had become a "very minor part" of the company's business strategy. Even without Apple, the
show went on in 2010.
