Hands-on with Intel's Silverthorne-based MID prototype

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Jan 8th 2008 at 2:38PM

That's right, kids. The crazy, long-iPhone prototype we saw demoed at IDF a few months back has made its way into our greedy hands. We've got to say, Intel should just bring this thing to market right now. While the UI wasn't up and running, just holding the thing, and checking out the demo shots of the interface was enough to give us big chills. It's thin, it's light, and we have to say, pretty darn fresh. If they keep up with this kind of work, we're fully prepared to be blown away in the future. Of note: the rep here claimed that the company now has even smaller and thinner versions of this thing in prototype -- though they don't seem to be at CES, and he kept reiterating that the prototype I was handling was slated for a 2009 release. Oh well, feast your eyes on the gallery.

Gallery: Hands-on with Intel's Silverthorne-based MID prototype

Tags: CES, ces 2008, Ces2008, features, hands on, hands-on, HandsOn, intel, menlow, mid, mobile internet device, MobileInternetDevice, prototype, silverthorne

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

striggity @ Jan 8th 2008 2:46PM

"It's thing, it's light, and we have to say, pretty darn fresh."

should read

"It's thin, it's light, and we have to say, pretty darn fresh."

You're welcome. :-)

Neutral

ScooterDe @ Jan 8th 2008 3:50PM

"It's thin, it's light and, we have to say, pretty darn fresh." (comma placement)

...since such details are important to you.

Neutral

bob @ Jan 8th 2008 11:22PM

actually the first version is correct.... how could you be so stupid..you havjust embarrassed yourself you idiot

ps , dont bother correcting my grammar , i dont eevn check it kyself.

Neutral

Steve @ Jan 8th 2008 2:52PM

is that a rear view mirror in your pocket or are you happy to see me?

Low Ranked

Johan S @ Jan 8th 2008 2:58PM

Yes but does it have GPS and tactile sensitive pressure sensitive buttons? By 2009, i am sure the iPhone 2 will be out which will most likely have better features.

Neutral

PEZ @ Jan 8th 2008 3:40PM

Prove it ugly.

Highly Ranked

Dave @ Jan 8th 2008 3:21PM

Let us get one thing right: Apple is one of the world leaders on design and OS/UI. It was a long time ago they were in front in the hardware technical features area. Sure, iPhone 2 will probably have 3G, MMS and copy/paste but I'm certain the hardware in an Intel product will be far superior the Apple dito.

Neutral

Zach @ Jan 8th 2008 3:27PM

what resolution does that output at?
very nice i must say, if i had the money i would buy it at launch

OhHh MyY gAwD AnOtHA IPHONEEEE ClOnE lLolO11!!three!!

Neutral

Bill @ Jan 8th 2008 3:28PM

Yeah, but does it blend?

Neutral

matthew @ Jan 8th 2008 4:22PM

jesus i hope you are being sardonic

Neutral

L @ Jan 8th 2008 3:57PM

I wonder if all the morons asking for blending would actually blend?

Ontopic: I never thought this was going to be more than a prototype, used as inspiration for hardware manufacturers. Very sweet!

But please, Engadget, take the next pictures either with a flash or in better lighting? They're really rather murky and unsharp...

Neutral

Peter @ Jan 8th 2008 4:09PM

So, uhm, let's see. They have created an empty box with a backlit(?) plastic front showing a Photoshop-mockup of a phantasy UI? And you're astonished by how small and light it is?
Wow.

It's almost as if a major american car manufacturer was causing a huge stir at an auto show just by showing a concept car that has a huge range with an incredibly small battery. Only downside would be that the necessary miracle-battery hasn't even been invented yet. But hey, if it existed, this battery would be performing incredibly well, lol.
Oops, you say that already happened some months ago? Dammit.

Neutral

Steve Paine @ Jan 8th 2008 4:20PM

Spot on Peter.
Its a bit of plastic. A design concept with an LED and battery inside.

I don't even think its a Silverthorne concept as Intel said it would be based on Morestown (next gen late 2009) platform in IDF last year. See bottom of this article.
http://www.umpcportal.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=924

Still, pretty cool if it happens but its nearly 2 years away. A lot can happen in 2 years!

Chippy.

Neutral

Hugo @ Jan 8th 2008 4:24PM

Uhhh, yes. Like he said.

I don't see anything but a static image, which doesn't make it look like more than a lightbox. The active LCD area seems to be very close to all edges, which makes things like, oh, putting a LCD panel driver on the glass tricky... and ditto for OLED, before anyone suggests that...

It's one thing to make a mock up, another to actually make a prototype that lives in the realm of fitting the necessary components inside it, and yet another to ship a product that delivers the user experience.

(imo, obviously!)

Neutral

Bill @ Jan 8th 2008 4:50PM

And like the article said, they have an even thinner and lighter version of this light box prototype!

Wow, sign me up!!

Neutral

matthew @ Jan 8th 2008 4:24PM

wait... didn't you guys say that was just a lightbox basically? a static image with a light behind it? might have read that somewhere else. if that's true then i've just made up the smallest, thinnest version ever. its called a piece of paper i doodled on. how can you improves something that's only a mockup?

Neutral