CEBIT roundup 3

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I’ve been accused that I didn’t post any stories about the CEBIT.

Well, I was busy writing articles about… CEBIT! Last Friday, in EVZ, an article about the products that had been announced to be launched at the fair; tomorrow, another article in EVZ will talk about new phones that were showed in world or European premiere at the fair; Monday, in TVmania, there will be an article about gadgets from the same important event; the next issue of Stiinta pentru Toti will have 7 pages dedicated to CEBIT; I hope Matei from Nights.ro will agree that the next issue will have to have some 3 – 4 gadgets from the fair. And I think that will be all… for this year.

Anyway, my visit to the fair was quick due to the tight schedule. I focused on the Communications pavilions and I tried to see first the famous companies’ stands. I was impressed by the fact the everybody wanted to show off, but I guess it’s not unusual for a company such as Philips or Samsung to spend as much money for a stand as it’s enough to feed a small country…

One thing I have to note: there were a lot of instant competitions and sometimes the prizes were breathtaking – Intel was offering a notebook, for example, in a competition of computer games! Other stands were full of kids who were very receptive at what the entertainers were saying because, in the end, everybody could get a ball, a large bag with something inside or other promotional stuff.

The press center was really impressing: a three store building, modern and with all facilities. There were a few dozens laptops on tables, ready to be used. Internet acces was provided – dial-up, cable and wireless. A room was dedicated to fax machines and phones for international calls. Downstairs, journalists were provided with food and drinks. It was funny to hear journalists around me talking in all languages and to see famous badges like AP, France Presse or ZDnet.

Another thing very different from our fairs was the need to really inform the public in all possible ways about CEBIT. There were several booths were you could download on mobile devices the fair’s maps and a looooot of wall displays with the same maps.

There a lot of things to say about the fair. I was in fact shocked by the fact that some companies brought on display unfunctional prototypes! Well, they showed them, they don’t have to sell them after the fair is over…