Skip to Content

Make smart financial decisions with DailyFinance
AOL Tech

MobileInternetDevice posts

Viliv X70 dissected and reviewed ahead of initial pre-order

We know what you're thinking: too much Viliv X70 news at once and you're liable to go mad as a hatter with excitement. Settle down, and now let's move on. jkkmobile's been playing with the MID for quite some time now, and has posted an epic, 27-minute long review. It's well worth a gander if you're considering the device, and ultimately it comes away as a good slate portable with fast 3G (in Finland, at least), a better MID for newcomers than the S5. Not all is great, and some lag issues aside, points get knocked off for the lack of some mouse-like input. If that's not enough, we've also got pics of it torn asunder piece by piece, so you can get a better glimpse at the innards. Want more? Dynamism's updated its placeholder page to let everyone know of a pre-order special tomorrow, July 6th, where the first 777 customers get a free 1.3GHz upgrade (from 1.2GHz), car kit, leather pouch, and protective film for the screen, and premium model buyers can get an extra battery to boot. Video review after the break, and hit up the read links for everything else.

Read - Review
Read - Dissection
Read - Pre-order page

Dell working on iPod touch-esque Android MID, says WSJ

It's no surprise that Dell's been dipping its toes in Android-infested waters as of late, and now the Wall Street Journal's reasserting a previous claim from early April that the company's hard at work on a MID powered by Google's mobile OS platform. Multiple sources have reportedly likened it to a slightly larger iPod touch, while one went so far as to suggest a very tentative second half 2009 target release window, assuming the project doesn't get 187'd before then. Despite its history with Intel and the chipmaker's penchant for MIDs, the report pegs ARM as the processor of choice. As for how this jibes with rumors of Dell's smartphone plans, that's where things get interesting, as WSJ quotes a source who said Dell's thinking about selling it through cell carriers like it's currently doing with 3G-equipped netbooks. The article repeatedly calls it a MID -- meaning a phone might still be in the cards, but given past whispers, it kind of makes you wonder.

Switched On: Apps like to Movit, Movit

Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

Not every company producing smartphones cares much about other kinds of portable devices, but those that do can heed a lesson from Apple. By leveraging the popularity, platform, and distribution of the iPhone, Apple deftly created the market for iPod touch applications. One would now be hard-pressed to name another non-cellular handheld device that has access to as many modern applications as Apple's flagship digital media player. Under some definitions, it has become the first mass-market Mobile Internet Device (or MID).

Targeting both phone and non-phone platforms has allowed Apple to greatly increase the installed base for iPhone applications. Last month, Apple announced that it had shipped 17 million iPhones, and 13 million iPod touches, increasing the base of devices for "iPhone" applications 76 percent.

Convergent devices like the iPhone and iPod touch are often looked at in terms of their potential to cannibalize a wide swath of other kinds of portable devices. These include the popular (digital cameras, portable navigation devices, handheld gaming platforms), the obscure (remote controls for presentation programs and the Sonos multi-room music system), and the humble (alarm clocks, calculators and pedometers).

Hualu UCG501 MID packs everything but a release date


Well, here's an interesting little number. While there's little in terms of actual specifics, this new UCG501 MID from China's Hualu does make a lot of bold promises, including a purported "high-performance integrated graphics card," built-in GPS, some mobile TV of some sort, CDMA2000 connectivity, built-in Bluetooth, a "high capacity" 4700 mAh battery, and even a built-in optical mouse (yeah, we're still trying to figure out how that last one's supposed to work too). Of course, there's no word of a price or release date just yet, nor is there any evidence that it is anything more than a prototype at the moment -- and, judging from the unit display, one that either lacks an accelerometer or has a not entirely functional one.

[Via Pocketables]

Ask Engadget: Which MID should I get?

Thanks for tuning in for this week's edition of Ask Engadget -- a place for you, the reader, to have your deepest, darkest gadget-related question shot out to the world. If you'd like to get in on the action, just send an inquiry to ask at engadget dawt com; for now, however, why not give Charlie's question a once over?

"I'm looking for a MID. Preferably one that's 5- to 7-inches in form, and ideally one that runs Linux. All I want to use it for is some web surfing, maybe a bit of audio / video, and a little RDP / SSD stuff for work and home. I'm not too picky, just need some solid suggestions."

Well Charles (can we call you Charles?), we're pretty certain our readers can help out here, and if you don't mind us saying so, OQO's Model 2+ was pretty striking at CES.

Intel-based MID to make a splash on France's SFR


It looks like France's SFR will be getting some tweaked variant of Aigo's familiar P8860 Intel-based MID... with 3G on-board. The device features an 800 x 480 touchscreen display, an 800MHz Atom CPU, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of flash memory, Bluetooth, WiFi, a VGA webcam, 3 megapixel camera, and a full slide-out AZERTY keyboard (as well as some odd, circular navigation wheel). Obviously the big bonus here is the 3G connectivity, which sounds like it will be offered at €19.90 (about $26) or €24.90 ($32) per month, depending on plan. By appearances, those plans include unlimited data -- though the machine translated article seems to suggest there could be some capping. The Linux-powered device will sell for €249 / $310 (€349 with a €100 rebate) -- no word on release date.

Aigo P8860 MID cracked open, modding possible


The cats at UMPC Fever have taken the liberty of cracking open Aigo's P8860 MID and splaying its contents out for the world to see. Apparently, the crew was looking for modding possibilities, and discovered that while the RAM and SSD are soldered to the mainboard, there's ample room for an HSDPA or flash drive upgrade (they suggest 16GB or 32GB is doable, and who are we to argue). A picture says a thousand words, or so we're told, so hit the read link and take a look at all the nasty innards.

[Via iTech News Net]

Sony's mylo 2 magically transforms from 'Personal Communicator' to 'Internet Device'


According to hot, hot reports from the interblogs, interwebs, and yes -- internets -- Sony has made some shocking changes to its mylo 2. Did we say shocking? We meant not shocking. At all. Apparently in an attempt to re-market (and thusly sell) the odd little handheld, the company has begun branding the gadget an "Internet Device" as opposed to its previous (circa 2006) title of "Personal Communicator." We're all for the new convention (we love the hell out of new names) but it remains to be seen what kind of effect, if any, it will have on the gadget's not-so-hot sales. The next step? Lose the Spider-Man font.

[Thanks, Penny]

Willcom's D4 gets reviewed


Jenn from Pocketables has gotten her hands on the diminutive Willcom D4 and given it an ultra-thorough review -- and we've got the details. While she praises the general speed of the device, screen resolution and brightness, and comfort of holding the D4, her reactions to the touchpad and keyboard are less than enthusiastic. Adding insult to apparent injury, it seems that the battery life leaves quite a bit to be desired (unless you're employing the extended battery pack), the video playback is choppy with most codecs, and the non-standard headphone jack is deeply, deeply annoying. The conclusion? Willcom's miniature needs "Help to achieve its potential," which is probably not what most potential buyers of the $1500 device want to hear. Of course, you should explore the whole review -- and its handsome photos -- so hit the read link for more.

BenQ's MID gets official-er, can be shaken like a martini


You might remember that little BenQ MID prototype which was doing the rounds at IDF and CES. Well, it looks like the folks at HQ have decided to get all official with the newly-repainted gadget -- creatively dubbed the BenQ Mobile Internet Device -- during another three letter party, MWC. According to the press release, the unit boasts a 4.8-inch touchscreen, 0.3-megapixel webcam, and "high-speed mobile internet access." Interestingly, the company appears to be aiming for some fancy-shmancy gesture input, like sliding finger movements and the ability to shake the device to minimize windows -- a feature which should notably increase the numbers of these which get thrown across a room. BenQ still hasn't given any release date or expected price on the Menlow-based device, so don't start any breath-holding competitions just yet. There's one more press image after the break, if you haven't seen enough (and we suspect you haven't).

[Via jkkmobile]

Hands-on with Lenovo's new Menlow MID


We've seen it in pics, but now we get to hold it. The new Lenovo MID being shown off at the Intel booth at this year's CES can't help but remind us of one of our favorite old game systems... the Atari Lynx. Beyond that, it sports another Linux-based interface, with a decent looking UI put on top -- though we're pretty underwhelmed by the resistive touchscreen's response. We're not sure what they think we're going to do with that number pad on the side... unless this can be used as a phone, perhaps. Take a look at the pics and judge for yourself.

Hands-on with Aigo's iPhone-ripping, Menlow-based MID


We got a chance to play with the new Aigo MID that sports the Intel Menlow chip, and here's a slew of shots for you to peep. A few items of note: first, the thing is totally trying to rip the iPhone's interface -- you can't really debate that, though sitting atop its janky Linux implementation, it feels pretty third rate. On the bright side, the little guy uses a new, touchscreen-MID-centric version of Mozilla called CoolFox, which is nice to see on a handheld. Check the gallery and see for yourself.

Hands-on with the Digifriends WiBro MID


We got a chance to play with the bizarre Digifriends MID at the Intel booth, and it actually seems kind of cool. The basic concept with the Vista-running, Menlow-sporting, lime green device is that you can snap on all kinds of add-ons to it, like a gamepad, keyboard, stand, speakers, and a hard drive. The overall feel wasn't wildly different from the other MIDs we saw, but the possibilities of expanding it easily are enticing. Check the gallery for all the views.

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


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.

Hands-on with LG's new Menlow-based MID


We came, we saw... we handled. We finally got a chance to play with LG's newest entry into the growing line of forthcoming Intel MIDs, and we're pretty impressed. The device is small and light, has a really solid build, and definitely is going to give current players (N810, we're looking at you) a nasty run for the money. Check out the gallery below and bask in the newness of your next wallet-breaker.

Follow us on Twitter
Engadget Video


AOL News

Joystiq

Download Squad

TUAW

BloggingStocks

Asylum

Autoblog

Switched.com

FanHouse

Autoblog Green