What is it? Is it a phone? It’s safe to say that it’s at least 3 inches deep and roughly 4 inches wide based on shots taken atop the Sony Vaio P. Other than that, nothing else is known about this mysterious Android MID. At least we know it has an SD card slot, but little else.

via Pocketables

Not a lot of information about this tiny little tablet but it has WiMAX, WiFi, and a keyboard. It also has a 3-megapixel camera and runs Windows Mobile 6.1.

Look for it here in the U.S. never.

LG and Intel announced that they are partnering to produce MIDs (mobile internet devices) based on Intel’s Moorestown hardware platform and Moblin OS. LG hopes to release internet devices with low power consumption. They are also tapping Ericsson to provide 3G capabilities for the devices.

For those of you who are unfamiliar to these. Mooreswtown is a SOC (system on a chip) that integrates the Intel Atom processor, graphics, memory controller into one package. Moblin is a Linux-based operating system that Intel developed in-house.

We’ve talked about Moorestown and Moblin before. This MID platform is the logical next step. We’ve also seen other mobile computing platforms but none those caught on. Will this suffer a similar fate? What do you guys think?

Here’s the full release:

LG Electronics, Intel Collaborate on Future Mobile Internet Device

Seoul (Korea Newswire) February 16, 2009 02:08 PM — LG Electronics (LG) and Intel Corporation today announced collaboration around mobile Internet devices (MIDs) based on Intel’s next-generation MID hardware platform, codenamed “Moorestown,” and Linux-based Moblin v2.0 software platform. The LG device is expected to be one of the first Moorestown designs to market.   LG and Intel’s common goal is to unleash rich Internet experiences across a range of mobile devices while delivering the functionality of today’s high-end smartphones. The collaboration on the new design extends a close working relationship the two companies have enjoyed across their respective mobile product lines, which now spans the notebook, netbook and MID categories.  “The MID segment will drive growth at LG Electronics. We chose Intel’s next-generation Moorestown platform and Moblin-based OS to pursue this segment because of the high performance and Internet compatibility this brings to our service provider customers,” said Jung Jun Lee, executive vice president of LG Electronics and head of its Mobile Communications Business Division. “The collaboration with Intel on the MID platform has been valuable and further extends our longstanding relationship. Our efforts are well on track and we look forward to bringing the MID to market.”  LG launched a netbook, based on the Intel® Atom™ processor, in the fourth quarter of 2008, and has been supplying the mobile companion device to carriers and retailers worldwide. LG also continues to ship notebooks based on the Intel® Core™ processor.  MIDs represent an emerging growth category in the industry and are designed to bring a rich, interactive, PC-like Internet experience in pocketable devices. The experience on a MID will help usher in the many new Internet trends performed predominantly on a PC to mobile devices.  “Moorestown” is the codename for Intel’s second-generation MID platform, which consists of a System on Chip (codenamed “Lincroft”) that integrates a 45nm Intel® Atom™ processor core, graphics, video and memory controller. The platform also includes an input/output (I/O) hub, codenamed “Langwell,” that includes a range of I/O blocks and supports wireless solutions.  Intel’s “Moorestown”-based MIDs are expected to reduce idle power consumption by a factor of greater than 10 versus today’s Intel Atom processor-based MIDs. Additionally, the Moorestown platform will be accompanied by a newer Moblin software version, Moblin v2.0, that is based on the Linux operating system. This software is designed specifically to deliver a great PC-like Internet experience while also supporting cell phone voice capabilities. The “Moorestown” platform is expected to come to market by 2010.  “LG Electronics makes some of the most innovative computers and smart phones in the world, and is known to be a leading-edge player in every market segment they serve,” said Anand Chandrasekher, Intel Corporation senior vice president and general manager of the company’s Ultra Mobility Group. “We look forward to providing them some fantastic Intel products that will deliver the best Internet experience while dramatically reducing power –contributing to the development of ultra sleek devices that offer superb battery life.”  In order to offer a variety of network connections and Internet access, LG is also working with Ericsson to bring 3G network capability to its planned MID. This is an extension of the existing collaboration between the companies. LG has been supplying notebooks and netbooks with mobile broadband modules from Ericsson since the third quarter of 2008.  “We are glad that LG Electronics has chosen Ericsson to provide 3G capabilities in its Intel-based MID. We are working with LG and Intel to deliver industry-leading 3G capabilities on the Moorestown MID,” said Mats Norin, vice president and head of Ericsson Mobile Broadband Modules. “Ericsson’s unparalleled relationships with global service providers will be instrumental as we define plans with LG to take this MID to market across multiple geographies around the world.”  # # #  About LG Electronics, Inc.  LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications, employing more than 82,000 people working in 114 operations including 82 subsidiaries around the world. With 2008 global sales of USD 44.7 billion, LG is comprised of five business units – Home Entertainment, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning, Business Solutions and Mobile Communications. LG is the world’s leading producer of mobile handsets, flat panel TVs, air conditioners, front-loading washing machines, optical storage products, DVD players and home theater systems. For more information, please visit www.lge.com.  LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company (LG) is a leading global mobile communication and information company. LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world with its cutting-edge technology and innovative handset design capabilities. Increasingly, LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products. LG will continue to take leadership in the mobile communication environment with stylish designs and smart technology.  About Intel  Intel [NASDAQ: INTC], the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom and blogs.intel.com.

 

News Source: LG Electronics

Where to begin? The above device was apparently displayed at Computex back in June and had been speculated by some to be called the Palm Roteo (due to the very Palm-like keyboard) but has since been identified by Pocketables as the Compal Tabasco. Well, wouldn’t you know it, apparently in August a little rumor was floating around about Palm placing an order for five million units of something with Compal.

Whatever the case may be, the prototype device apparently had a 4.5- to 5-inch touchscreen, a built-in 3.2-megapixel camera with a 2x optical zoom and a flash, and a tiny touchpad with mouse buttons on the left and right.

At about 6.3 by 3.3 by 1.3 inches, it’s too big to be a phone but it could very well function as a mobile internet device of some type. Palm will be announcing some sort of “new-ness” at CES this year, which has been speculated to be its new Nova operating system, but who knows? Maybe it’s got some sort of secret crazy Compal-manufactured mobile internet device up its sleeve as well.

Blog Times (Korean) [via Pocketables]

We’ve had brushes with the PocketSurfer mobile internet device in the past, but here’s a look at the PocketSurfer 2R – an update to the PocketSurfer 2. If you haven’t heard of the PocketSurfer before, it’s kind of an odd device as it uses a way-slow Vodafone GPRS connection as its data conduit.

However, pages apparently load rather quickly and there’s no service charge for up to 20 hours of usage per month for the first year. After that, you pay £59.99 (about $100) per year for up to 20 hours per month. You can sign up for a £5.99 (about $10) per month unlimited plan as well. So it’s unique in that it’s a data device that uses slow data pipes and charges based on time, not downloads. Whether that’s unique in a good way is another story.

Web pages are served up from PocketSurfer’s own proxy servers, which use “patented data compression technology” that’s probably similar to how the early Sidekick devices worked over T-Mobile’s GPRS network. The PocketSurfer devices are only available in Europe but can be used in any country with a compatible GPRS network for 5 pence (9 cents) per minute. The PocketSurfer 2R costs £159 ($275).

Sorry for the auto-playing video, but it’s got a mind of its own…

[PocketSurfer 2R via Pocket-lint]

ClarionMiND, the consumer usage application device was shown off today at IDF. The new Mobile Internet Navigation Device integrates familiar software with mobility. The ClarionMiND adds GPS features to the ready-to-explode MID market, allowing for real-time POI and traffic updates. Additionally, users will be able to alter the GUI for intuitive customization.

Expect to see it available in the US starting in October.

Specs after the jump.

Specifications:

— 4.8 inch WVGA (800×480) LCD Display with Touch screen
— Intel(R) Atom(TM) processor Z500
— 800MHz Clock Speed
— 512MB DRAM
— 4GB Flash Memory for Storage
— WiFi
— Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
— GPS Antenna/Receiver
— Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery
— Amplifier
— Speaker
— Headphone Jack
— 2 USB Port (Standard / Mini)
— SD Card Slot (Micro SD)
— Docking Station Connector

Software Features:

— Linux OS 2.6.22
— GPS Navigation
— Media Player
— Internet Browser
— Google Map / Earth Viewer
— MySpace Viewer
— YouTube Viewer
— Email
— PDF Viewer
— Calculator
— Control Panel
— File Manager
— News Reader (RSS)
— Weather information

Check out the press release, here.

Silly me, I thought these mobile internet devices (MID) based around Intel’s new Atom chipset were supposed to be relatively affordable. This Gigabyte M528 with 4.8-inch screen is up for pre-order on an Australian website (Tegatech.com.au) for around $1130 US. It was originally priced at around $1460, but the price got lowered almost immediately after everyone starting shaking their fists in the air.

Here’s what your money gets you; an 800MHz Atom processor, Linux, 512MB of RAM, 8GB SSD, 4.8-inch touchscreen at 800×480, USB, microSD slot, GPS, SIM card slot (interesting), Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. Seems a bit steep for $1130, no?

via UMPCPortal

Here’s something we’ll probably never see stateside; it’s a mobile internet device (MID) from Lenovo called the IdeaPad U8. It works on China’s 3G TD-SCDMA network (I have no idea what that means) and it’ll be available with 4-, 6-, or 10-gigabytes worth of storage. It’s apparently got an Atom chipset in it, although the interface looks a little pokey from time to time. I have no idea what it’ll cost or when it’ll be available because I grew up in Minnesota and they didn’t offer Chinese as a language class in school, just French or Spanish. Oh, and some of the weird kids took German.

via SlashGear

Word on the street is that HTC (makers of phones like the HTC Touch, the PPC-6xxx series devices, and more!) will be releasing Intel-powered MID devices this year. As you’ll recall from Intel’s recent Atom announcement, Mobile Internet Devices will play a key role in its strategy going forward.

HTC’s a good fit for this type of development and it shouldn’t come as a huge shock to anyone that it’s working on these devices. I imagine we’ll see things that look similar to the Nokia N810 (if it had cell service) or the HTC Advantage, albeit with a much stronger, faster processor. The devices in the photo above are from Intel’s MID demo, so that seems to be the general idea.

Most of the first devices out of the gate will be scooped up mainly by early adopters, with a much bigger acceptance rate in 2009 when Intel’s thought to be releasing the second generation of the MID platform. The second generation is supposed to be cheaper, too. Most of the first generation devices should fall in around $600 to $800.

HTC expected to launch MID handsets in 2008 [DigiTimes]

Not that anyone is excited about UMPCs anymore, but Intel made a pretty bold move this morning. From this day forth, Intel will being using a Linux-based GUI and platform for its UMPCs. Ditching Microsoft’s Origami crapola and going to Linux is an excellent idea. People using UMPCs won’t be installing Windows-dependent apps or anything like that. They’ll just want the basics like IM, web browsing, media playback, and Skype.

The new platform is being dubbed as MID or Mobile Internet Device. These new devices are targeted at the high-end consumer and prosumer and will feature all the good stuff like HSDPA, WiFi, awesome screen resolution, Google Maps, Intel Dual Core processing, and plenty of other yet-to-be-announced features I’m sure. I mean come on, its gotta have Bluetooth! Expect to hear more about MID throughout the year, so keep those ears open.

Intel’s MID UMPCs: So long XP/Vista, hello Linux [Engadget]