Comments on: Can MIDs Survive Against the Smartphone?

By: Tarik

Tarik — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:49:12 +0000

I don´t think, that MIDs (and UMPCs) are facing any kind of concurence from the Smartphones or the Netbooks. The Consumer should first have the possibility to compare and for most the Possibility to see, to touch and to play with them. That´s not the case as Ars Technica points out, this Devices aren´t getting to the Mass Consumer Markets. Smartphones and Netbooks are (cheaper and well marketed) substitutes to MIDs and UMPCs. While someone owning a thumbphone, would think about getting an mid, an owner of a Smartphone would think about an umpc. The proof of that is the ipod touch and Netbooks selling so well (thanks to the price tag, Availibility and Marketing). The real Danger for MIDs, in my eyes, is coming from WIFI enabled PMPs. With the iPod Touch, the sony (i don´t remember the name ;-))the ZuneHD and ZiiEgg coming and maybe also something from iRiver, the Game will be hard.
I think that TIM (benq s6), SFR (Gigabyte) and TMobile (HTC Advantage) could deliver some interesting Data about the well beeing of MIDs, since they offer them with 3g plans.
PS: what about arm cortex9 and the smartbook platform?

By: FIE

FIE — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:51:54 +0000

The difference is not in the device in the user experience. UMPCs are for consumers who want a desktop experience with minimal compromise, maximum portability, and all-day power. Nokia got the ball rolling with the ITs, and SSD-based systems like those by Samsung Q1 Viliv hae taken it the next step, but they are and always be boutique devices, for power users and niche applications.

The next-generation of OSes for these form-factors can release these systems from *having* to run XP (the de-facto standard that allows desktop-like performance).

Maemo, Linux derivatives and Android are promising candidates that can do more than the iPhone OS with 5-7″ of screen estate and a keyboard, and ease consumer complications (still a big if w/o the backing of an Intel). These next few years may prove to be the final opportunity for a larger UMPC market share. The question, as Kevin asks, is how many want to do more than what they can do on the iPhone?

By: Bennett

Bennett — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:13:09 +0000

Dont forget the choice of cloud computing and remote desktop on your smartphone. A bluetooth keyboard and mouse also helps matters.

I have the 5`HTC Advantage, 3.6`Touch Pro2 and Iphone 3G and value/use them over my OQO 02 and Everun Raon Digital for their always on and instant on feature and lack of heat in my pocket!

They also have voice and a camera. The n900 device whose images were leaked yesterday looks like an interesting hybrid.

By: tal

tal — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:51:30 +0000

James – 9″ tablet will get Apple nowhere.
Kevin is on the point with his clarification … its all about smartphones getting the power that they need from MID like platforms.
If Apple want to play there they need a more powerful web OS or alternatively their desktop OS running on a slightly bigger iPhone size and much more powerful device.

By: tal

tal — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:44:49 +0000

Exactly!

By: Virtuous

Virtuous — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:06:44 +0000

MIDs are products looking for viable markets instead of responding to genuine consumer needs. Smartphones and netbooks will quickly squeeze MIDs out of existence.

By: animatio

animatio — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:57:25 +0000

in my opinion the term “smarphone” does not fit well anymore as the lot of highend devices with phone capabilities in fact are powerfull pdas by character (with a broad choice of connectivity options)and not simply smartphones. thus clearly fullfilling the definition of a MID. whereas smartphones as such only have very limited, if at all, computing abilities (having a browser and a mediaplayer integrated i do not count as computing ability in this case because no other programs can be implented/loaded by a standard user)

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:31:41 +0000

Hi guys,
I agree wholeheartedly with Kevin – with the way smartphones are going, the need for MIDs (which are just like smartphones except bigger and without cellular voice-calling inthe conventional sense ) is shrinking fast. Also, MIDs still cost a lot, which almost ensures that it remains as a niche product (have they learnt nothing from the mistakes made by the UMPC?)

I do love my ipod touch, but I probably wouldn’t consider it as a MID unless it had 3G Internet, like the iPhone. In closing, smartphones have all the advantages that a MID might provide (cellular mobile internet, a ‘good enough’ web experience and flexibility to perform desktop like tasks like word processing), but in a smaller, more familiar package to MIDs.

By: ramfrancisuk

ramfrancisuk — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:21:16 +0000

Whats in a name, people are not confused. All that concerns the buyer is: does it do what they want, is the form factor right for them, and the price. These devices are highly disposable, and have a very short useful/ expectation life span – see the mobile phone market, with people seeking 12mth/18mth upgrades.

I think the real reason why you are not seek these devices in the market place in any great numbers is down to the manufacturers, and the economic downturn.

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:01:21 +0000

I do (and always did) consider the iPod Touch a “MID.” How does it change the conversation in your view?