Nokia and Sharp Enter the Mobile Internet Device (MID) Market
Neither netbook nor notebook, mobile Internet devices, or MIDs, fall somewhere in between–and Nokia and Sharp are “a welcome boost to this nascent category.”
Nokia and Sharp each announced their first mobile internet devices (MIDs) late last week. MIDs–small, ultraportable computers that are bigger than a cell phone but smaller than a netbook or laptop computer–are designed for instant, on-the-go access to email and web browsing, with some support for basic software applications. MIDs typically have mobile broadband data connections (such as 3G or 4G) and Wi-Fi to access the Internet, and some models include cellular voice calling as well. Another recently coined term, Smartbook, has the same functional definition as a MID.
“The MID device segment has been slow to take off with approximately 20,000 units shipping worldwide during 2008,” says ABI Research Senior Analyst Jeff Orr. ABI Research estimates that 1.5 million MID units will be shipped worldwide in 2009. “The announcements today by well-known brands Nokia and Sharp are a welcome boost to this nascent category,” Orr adds.
The Nokia N900, based on an ARM Cortex-A8 processor core and up to 1GB of application memory, reduces the emphasis on mobile phone features while increasing the ability to balance content creation and consumption of Web-based services. Network connectivity is achieved through the combination of Wi-Fi and HSPA mobile broadband. One distinction of the N900 Web browsing experience that has eluded many of the popular smartphone devices is support for Adobe Flash. The N900 is powered by the Linux-based Maemo operating system and is expected to debut in select markets in October 2009.
The Sharp Corporation PC-Z1 Mobile Internet Tool looks to address the market gap between netbook computers and mobile phones with its MID offering. The PC-Z1 is powered by an ARM-based Freescale i.MX51 processor and an Ubuntu Linux operating system. Instant-on capabilities are emphasized, though Wi-Fi is the only network connectivity integrated. 3G or 4G modems can be supported through a USB port. The PC-Z1 will be available in late September 2009 for the Japanese market.
