Is it the morning for Android-based MIDs? Jenn over at Pocketables has turned up evidence of two devices both running Google’s open-source mobile platform, in the shape of the Eston MID-02 slider and a video of French carrier SFR’s M! PC Pocket running the OS. Eston’s device – which is also branded as the M4301 – has a 4.3-inch resistive touchscreen and can dual-boot Windows CE 6.0 and Android.
Video demo after the cut
MIDs a failure? No no no, how could that be when this little beauty is headed to the market? Known here as the Compal KAX15 MID, but likely to find itself a variety of alternative brands including Gigabyte and Aigo, it’s based on Intel’s existing Menlow platform and packs an 800MHz Atom Z515 processor, a 4.8-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen and slide-out QWERTY keyboard.
Video hands-on after the cut
It’s not all Tegra and Snapdragon at Computex this week: VIA are also making an appearance with their processors showing up in the latest devices. One such example is this iDOT CCI 3.8-inch mobile internet device (MID). Using the familiar sliding form-factor of Aigo’s MIDs, the CCI device has an 800 x 480 resistive touchscreen, full QWERTY keyboard and runs either VIA’s 500MHz fanless Eden ULV CPU or an 800MHz Freescale MX51.
Update: Video demo after the cut
Viliv have announced their plans for Computex, and there are a few interesting MID and UMPC tidbits that should keep them ahead of the game in the ultramobile space. As well as obviously demonstrating the latest versions of their existing set-to-ship range, Viliv have promised a 10-inch screen MID (possibly a netbook) and a 4.8-inch MID with keyboard, potentially as in the mockup shown here.
I’m a sucker for a pretty MID concept, and this is one of the slickest I’ve seen in a long time. The handiwork of Jan Rytir, what’s particularly appealing – aside from the slick curved-slide QWERTY keyboard – are the seven colored shortcut tabs along the edge, which are pleasingly reminiscent of a Filofax.
Aigo have confirmed that the much-anticipated Windows XP version of their touchscreen MID will be made generally available, in addition to the existing Linux model. Up until now, anybody wanting XP on the compact slider device had to do so unofficially.
For connectivity, input options and simply fitting into your pocket, aigo’s MID certainly has plenty of potential. Unfortunately, as reviewers have discovered, it’s hamstrung by its OS: adding new apps is a struggle, meaning most people will be stuck with what software comes out of the box. One owner, though, has heavily customized his 3G-equipped aigo to better perform as a UMPC rather than just an internet browser; full video demo, plus details of the changes, after the cut.
Clarion’s navigation MID launched last November, but it’s taken a while for hands-on experience with the GPS-enabled touchscreen device to emerge. Clarion have also tweaked the name slightly, to ClarionMiND (with no space) over apparent “legal issues”. Steve Paine has been playing with the ClarionMiND for the MID Moves project, and despite some obvious drawbacks – a pitiful battery good for at most an hours standalone use, and the lack of 3G – Clarion have actually done what other MID manufacturers struggle to achieve.
Check out the ClarionMiND demo video after the cut
As well as their latest Fuzebox HTPC, Velocity Micro also brought along two mobile products to CES this week. The company has added a MID, the Velocity Micro NoteMagix M5, and a netbook, the Velocity Micro NoteMagix M10, to their range. The former, a rebadged aigo P8860, has a 4.8-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen, integrated WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G, and a 4GB SSD, and will be offered in both Windows XP Home and Linux versions.
Gigabyte’s M528 MID has been flitting around the pages of SlashGear for so long now, it was hard to believe we’d never seen an unboxing for the touchscreen handheld. Thankfully the guys at UMPCFever have sorted that, showing the mobile internet device taken from box, to SIM and battery slotting in, to boot and then even flirting with its aigo counterpart.
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