BARCELONA: Tech companies showcased countless connected gadgets at the world’s biggest wireless telecom fair, the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Here is a selection of highlights:

CURVY SMARTPHONES

The world’s biggest phone-maker, South Korean firm Samsung, stole the show for handsets, moving to compete against Apple’s iPhone 6 with its own new flagship smartphone, the S6 Galaxy Edge: super-slim, weighing 132 grams (4.7 ounces) with a five-inch screen that curves around the edges and a wireless charger.

CONNECTED SMARTWATCHES

South Korean firm LG unveiled a luxury wristwatch, the LG Watch Urbane LTE, with its own SIM network card that lets the wearer make calls, receive e-mails and search the web from their wrist. Unlike previous smartwatch models, it does not need to be linked to a mobile phone. Numerous other firms released smartwatches, looking for a foothold before Apple launches its Apple Watch in April.

VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSET

Hip Chinese phone maker HTC presented a virtual reality headset that it promises to launch as a consumer product this year. Chunky black plastic strapped around your head on the outside, with 360-degree virtual worlds inside that immerse the viewer in video games or films. Tech bloggers hailed it as a game-changer for virtual reality entertainment to compete with another forthcoming VR device, Oculus Rift.

REMOTE-CONTROL ROBOTS

South Korean operator SK Telecom demonstrated a robot whose movements mimicked those of a person wearing a set of wireless sensors. The wireless signal was transmitted through a prototype of a “5G” network — the next generation of ultra-fast and reliable mobile coverage. Operators hope that from the year 2020 5G will be able to support activities such as remote-controlled robots carrying out surgery or working in disaster zones.

CONNECTED SUITCASE

Californian tech company Bluesmart has made a “smart suitcase” that promises to save stress for travelers by weighing itself and letting the user track it constantly via a smartphone application. Spanish operator Telefonica announced at the show that it will provide mobile connections to operate the trackable case.