HTC readies MID handset for 2008

DigiTimes is reporting that HTC is on track to announce an Intel MID with handset functions this year, putting it ahead of the second-generation Mobile Internet Device platform expected to launch in 2009 with calling capabilities as part of its standard feature set.

Both HTC's mystery device and the second-gen MIDs will have their sights squarely set on the ARM-based platforms that have dominated the handset market for years. Not only will the x86-based MIDs perform better than their ARM counterparts, they'll also be more competitively priced than first-generation MIDs. This sounds like a non sequitur, I know, but it actually makes sense. Because basically, what I think we're looking at with these MID handsets is the power of an x86 device and the price of an ARM unit. Windows Mobile and Symbian could be in deep trouble . . .

Comments

[Aura Mae]

Sounds like the next device for me after the Advantage; but I thought the same about the Shift for some time. Somewhere between announcement and production it lost its unique feature set and became ordinary. I will withhold judgment on the MID until someone I trust has one in their hot little hands!

[Al]

windows mobile and phone pda's have their place. For these new mobile computers to carve out a market they need to bridge the gap between mobile pda and phone to laptop. To me what is missing is a touch type keyboard mobile computer that is small enough to stuff in your larger jacket pockets. That would create a huge demand as they are distinctly unique from the windows mobile and pda/phones as they would run full windows and thus run all the third party applications for any business user. Having full windows would never work with a thumb input or pen so that is why it needs to be a touch type keyboard. Can that be done and still fit in a jacket pocket? Just look at the popular old Psion Revo or 5mx; also the HP Jornada 720 & 728. They were jacket pocket size and had a touch type keyboard. That is what is needed with these new chips a better form factor as the chip itself is not going to sell devices.

[Bruno]

Al, the Jornada was not all that popular as the line lasted only two years (I have nothing against it personally, I rather liked it). It was ok, but the keyboard was not usable for longer typing at all. Asides from that, given current technology, in a device of that size there is no way to get a decent battery life (standard battery in Sony TZ is nearly as heavy as the laptop itself, for example).
Different strokes for different folks, I suppose, but I would not want a device with a keyboard that badly compromised and that poor a battery life. I also disagree that a pen would never work with full windows - plenty of computers out there prove that is not the case.

[Al]

What not popular? The HP Jornada sold almost 300,000 units a year and the entire UMPC market in 2007 sold 350,000 that included every single brand and model.

An OQO is about 65% the size of a Jornada 720 so if someone made a modern Jornada using that technology and used the extra 35% volume for a larger battery I think that would improve of the OQO battery life. Having full windows in your pocket with a touch type keyboard is what I want. Yes I want the most battery life as everyone does but if it has a minimum of 2 hours but more like 3-4 that would be fine.

As far as pen input, that input has never been something that mainstream users want to buy. It is ok for some techs and geeks but the numbers do not lie. Most of the UMPC in 07' were pen input and guess what they sold a dismal 350k.