Compal expects big things from MIDs in 2008 -- dedicates team

While the first generation (and second generation for that matter) of UMPCs fell well short of the bloated origami hype, Compal sees big growth from Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) in 2008. According to DigiTimes, this belief has prompted the giant, Taiwanese ODM to dedicate an entire team to the mobile platform unveiled by Intel in April 2007. As such, MID devices will receive special attention, away from their laptop and UMPC efforts. If nothing else, we find it reassuring that somebody out there can understand the difference between a UMPC and MID device with such clarity.

[Brendon @ Nov 28th 2007 5:20AM]

These devices realy are amazing. Especially when you concider the pice, $1,500 for a umpc or $250 a nokia n800.
PS. I'm writing this from my n800 :)

[Yubastard @ Nov 28th 2007 5:23AM]

I think that keyboard looks like a pain in the ass to use, but that's why we need some more research. Good for Compal!

[Brendon @ Nov 28th 2007 5:24AM]

Now if only they had spell check.
*really
*consider

[Eric @ Nov 28th 2007 9:07AM]

Need to have a better UI. All of these that I've messed with fall short with Windows' Start menu-based GUI and the thumb boards. And, if I'm going to pay $1000 for the thing, could I get a decent camera in the thing? I'm not asking for a Rebel XTi, but at least an 8MP with a glass lens.

[youknowit @ Nov 28th 2007 9:33AM]

that would be a umpc, not a MID

[frankwick @ Nov 28th 2007 12:18PM]

Do these new UMPCs run Vista or some type of Windows Mobile or seomthing else?

[tekdroid @ Nov 28th 2007 12:22PM]

overall, every man and his dog is creating connected devices like this, no matter what you want to label them.

[ooglek @ Nov 28th 2007 12:56PM]

I want an MID more than a UMPC, but I also want it to be flexible enough so that 3rd parties can write good software for it.

Really what I want is an iPhone that natively supports 3rd party software and has 3G-speed Internet access. I can understand the desire for the slide-out keyboard, but I'll take a smaller form factor vs more accurate typing. Then again, if I do a lot of SSHing or posting comments on Engadget from it, maybe I'll change my tune.

[Brendon @ Nov 28th 2007 1:28PM]

That would be the Nokia N800. VNC over SSH is what sold me on it.

[sdsdv10 @ Nov 28th 2007 4:07PM]

The Nokia can be had for $218 ($228 - 5%) from buy.com
I waiting for mine to come in!

[Generic @ Nov 29th 2007 5:16AM]

The past hurdles against UMPC adoption has been the bankrupting prices and tug boat sizes. Still think form factor will be an important issue hear.
MIDs must not need a laptop bag.

[Alan @ Dec 27th 2007 4:18PM]

The real problem is not just the price but more importantly the lack of the right form factor. If a UMPC is going to run full windows it should be obvious that users would want a touch type keyboard not a pen input nor a thumb input. What we need is a device that is either an updated version of say a Psion 5mx or HP Jornada 728 OR a radical out of the box device like the Samsung sph p9200 (only sold in Korea) that runs full windows.