Released

3Q 2009

Product Code

VM-MIDP-101

Price

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Introduction:
The MID Platforms Vendor Matrix is part of a group of vendor matrices for Mobile Computing — one for netbooks, one for mobile CE, and one for MIDs. Criteria and weighting are expected to change over time. ABI Research is continually evaluating these parameters. Criteria for a vendor matrix are analyzed on two scales - Implementation and Innovation.

Implementation Criteria

Existing customer types: (20% weight) This establishes a customer base for each vendor’s reach into different markets. Shipment of products using the platform or architecture is not required.

•   Which PC system vendors are currently buying or licensing the MID platform or architecture?
•   Which mobile handset vendors are currently buying or licensing the MID platform or architecture?
•   Which consumer electronics (CE) vendors are currently buying or licensing the MID platform or architecture?

Products launched: (35% weight) Weighting is provided to platform vendors who demonstrate customer product shipments in excess of 1 million units per MID platform. Unannounced and planned shipments of MID products are not counted.
•    What MID products have customers shipped for general market availability?
•    Have customer MID product shipments exceeded more than one million per MID platform?

Support of PC Operating Systems: (10% weight) Planned OS support is not counted.
•    Does the MID platform currently support Windows (e.g. XP, Vista, or 7)?
•    Does the MID platform currently support PC Linux (e.g. Ubuntu)?

Support of Mobile Operating Systems: (35% weight) Planned OS support is not counted.
•    Does the MID platform currently support the Android mobile operating system?
•    Does the MID platform currently support the Linux Mobile (LiMo) mobile operating system?
•    Does the MID platform currently support the Symbian mobile operating system?
•    Does the MID platform currently support Palm webOS?
•    Does the MID platform currently support Microsoft Windows CE and/or Windows Mobile and/or Windows Phone?


Innovation Criteria

Connectivity options: (20% weight) MIDs rely heavily on their ability to connect with external wireless networks.
•    Are connection technologies Bluetooth and Wi-Fi embedded in the MID platform?
•    Are connection technologies 3G cellular or 4G mobile broadband embedded in the MID platform?
•    If not embedded, are these technologies available through partner companies and/or reference designs?

Voice support: (20% weight) MIDs have their roots in smartphones. What methods of voice communications are supported by the MID platform?
•    Is the voice support using cellular technology?
•    Is the voice support using Voice over IP (VoIP)?

Processor capabilities: (25% weight) A baseline of functionality is established by the MID platform processing capabilities.
•    What main processor is used for the MID platform?
•    Is it a single or multi-core implementation?
•    Is a dedicated graphics processor included in the platform?

Display capabilities: (15% weight)
•    Does the MID platform support 720p or 1080p high-definition video display capabilities (not screen capabilities)?
•    Are multiple screens supported by the platform?

Integration/Support: (20% weight) Beyond the license of technology or sale of chipsets, what integration and support services are available to customers of the MID platform?
•    Are applications, utilities, and development software included along with detailed documentation?
•    Do complete reference designs (e.g. reference unit, CAD files, gerbers, component list) exist for the MID platform?
•    Are integration services offered to MID platform customers (e.g. field application engineer, customer hotline, design,      and regulatory approval consulting, etc)?