Get Ready for a Wave of Mobile Internet Devices
Posted Sun, 23 Sep 2007 20:40:23 EDT by Philip Solis
MIDs, or mobile Internet devices, have been derived from concepts such as Nokia's web tablets and WWAN-enabled UMPCs. Look at the following to get the idea of the terminology if you are unfamiliar with it:
UMDs = UMPCs + MIDs (Ultra mobile devices = ultra mobile PCs + mobile Internet devices)
UMPCs are very small form factor PCs. They run PC OSs like Windows XP and Vista, and they run PC apps. They are very expensive.
MIDs are generally smaller than UMPCs - a but more pocketable. They will be much more affordable than UMPCs. They will be mostly Linux-based, although some early concept devices are running on Windows Mobile. They are meant to run web applications such as web browsers, e-mail clients, communciations programs like instant messaging, etc. The goal for application processor vendors will be to support as many file types as possible, so the typical mobile Internet experience can be exceeded. These devices should enable you to use any website today, even if it includes Flash software. The idea is to enable websites like YouTube to work correctly. Of course some WWAN connection is 100% necessary to make it a mobile Internet device instead of just an Internet device, or "web tablet" like Nokia's current devices.
Last week at Intel's IDF, a whole range of concept devices were introduced, and many companies announced their support for these devices, including software companies, a cellular modem company, companies focusing on the UI, and device OEMs. ABI Research expects these devices to flourish because of support from a strong and wide ecosystem, and because of the variety of devices that will be available, with different form factors and a focus on different applications.
The above photo shows the wide variety of shapes and sizes that different MIDs will take.
This device was my favorite concept MID. It's a full touch screen MID that is very wide. A half keyboard can be brought up on each side of the screen. It also enables you to view two browser windows (or another application) side-by-side - try doing that with a smartphone today.
ABI Research has an MID and UMPC report with forecasts, ASPs, types of people who would purchase these devices, the markets from which these devices will draw consumers and business users from, and much more.