ClarionMiND MID re-introduced with Atom, optional 3G

We haven't heard from Clarion since June, and as fate would have it, it was then when the company told us to expect a GPS-equipped MiND in the foreseeable future. Fast forward a few months, and here we have the formal (re)introduction of the ClarionMiND. Definitely dubbed a MID, this Atom-powered handheld is currently scheduled for release in US / Canada this November, while Europeans will have to wait until January 2009. Outside of the oh-so-fresh CPU, you'll find a 4.8-inch (800 x 480 resolution) display, 512MB of RAM, a 4GB SSD, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, a SiRFstarIII GPS module and a rechargeable Li-ion good for two hours (four hours with the optional extended cell). You'll also get a pair of USB 2.0 ports, a microSD card slot and optional real-time traffic support. The just described "standard" model will demand $649.99; the way-more-delicious Premium version doesn't yet have a price, but it should be out next Spring with integrated 3G.

[Via Pocketables]

[William Martin @ Sep 27th 2008 9:18AM]

Interesting

[gonintendo @ Sep 27th 2008 9:30AM]

But can it play crysis?




The low rank button is the red one in the top left corner, go ahead push it.

[Bob @ Sep 27th 2008 9:58AM]

Strange, that looks like a dark gray original gameboy, not a low rank button. And it doesn't low rank you when I push it. Dang it.

[Luke D @ Sep 27th 2008 10:28AM]

You tricked me into closing my Mac OS X window!

[BOGRASH @ Sep 27th 2008 10:24AM]

FUGLY

[Dakota (.Mac) @ Sep 27th 2008 10:31AM]

If MIDs are supposed to be affordable, etc, why are they so goddamn expensive? $649.99?

For that price you might as well go get a (crap)top from Best Buy or something that has better specs.

[nikster @ Sep 27th 2008 10:45AM]

Whoever said that MIDs are affordable - they lied.

[nikster @ Sep 27th 2008 10:44AM]

Dammit I was hoping for a decent car stereo. Like one that has a high rez display, doesn't look like crap, where the UI doesn't look like it's from 1987, and that can do iPods without breaking the bank. I was shopping for such a product recently and found that car stereo makers are still struggling to provide a decent iPod interface. Most are simply garbage, whereas others are so-so. The best ones are still fugly and cost $1000.

Instead, we got more evidence as to why that is so.

Quote: "ClarionMiND also is equipped with a user interface that automatically locks pre-selected functions when the vehicle is in motion". Translation: "We couldn't figure out how to make it easy enough to use so we decided to cripple functionality". Fail.

[RAD Moose @ Sep 27th 2008 3:00PM]

The functions are locked for similar reasons that you can't talk without a headset on your cell or text message while driving in CA....some people are too stupid to do two things at once. =)

[Coleman Foley @ Sep 27th 2008 12:21PM]

why is it shaped like a pyramid?

[Juice Daddy @ Sep 27th 2008 11:38PM]

I dare say, that is no pyramid!

Here: ▲

That should clear things up...

[bolomkxxviii @ Sep 28th 2008 7:50AM]

Let me know if anyone actually buys one of these...I thought not.

[mikada @ Sep 29th 2008 9:06AM]

I think I will buys one...it´s a good thang to hear internet radio while cruizin through....easy to integrate to car audio...so I will have internet in my 95model ford...;) I like this..more car oriented

[fix.everything @ Sep 29th 2008 11:28PM]

Yeah, right, I am gonna buy nore gizmo's from theses guys? They have been promising maps for my nav system for more than a year and can't deliver on that... I call the mind vaporware at best, based on their reputation.