mobile internet devices - MID

[haven]

Let's start a new thread for discussion of mobile internet devices (MID). Overland travelers should be interested in MID because they provide communication and navigation capabilities in a package that's more portable than a laptop.

This class of computer is smaller and lighter than netbook computers, and they often have a shape (form factor) that's different from traditional laptops. Four and five inch screens (measured diagonally) are common, with 7 inch models becoming popular. MID places a premium on portability, so they almost always fit in your pocket (well, jacket pocket at least!).

Another way that MID differ from netbooks is their cost. While $300 netbooks are easy to find, MID tend to cost more. Common price points are $699 and $899.

One type of MID is the Ultra-mobile PC. UMPCs run a general purpose operating system like Windows, OS X or Linux, and they allow the user to load and run programs from third party vendors. UMPCs generally have a keyboard for input, and many have touch screen capability. Examples of UMPC include the Sony Vaio P, OQO Model 2, and mini-laptops from Kohjinsha and Fujitsu. Microsoft created a reference design for UMPC, with a 7 inch touchscreen and no keyboard. Asus R50A and Samsung Q1 are examples of that design.

Mobile internet devices often run proprietary operating systems, or unusual general purpose OS like Android, Maemo, Symbian or Moblin. Applications are limited to those provided by the manufacturer, or a small number of third parties. MIDs usually are smaller than UMPCs, and almost always have a touchscreen. Some have an abbreviated keyboard.

Smart phones that include internet browsing capability are MIDs. But not all MIDs are smart phones. Examples of MID include the UMID M1 Mbook, Viliv S5, Nokia N810, and Gigabyte M528, plus smart phones like the RIM Blackberry.

And then there are devices that have characteristics of both MID and UMPC. The Apple iPhone is one that fits in both categories. It's small like a MID, but it runs a version of OS X and has a very wide selection of third party software. The new Palm PRE is another. Its WebOS is an open environment, and development by third parties is encouraged.

There will be lots of interesting new mobile internet devices released in the coming months. Let's use this thread to keep track of them, and how they can be useful to overland travelers.

Chip Haven

 

[haven]

Here is a little background on the development of portable computing devices through the years. --Chip Haven

-----------

A powerful pocket-size computer has long been a goal for computer designers.

In 1981, Epson introduced a machine that is arguably the first ultra-mobile computer. The HX-20 had a compact QUERTY keyboard, a 20 character display, and a BASIC interpreter that let you create programs. The programs were saved on a micro tape cassette. The HX-20 included a cash-register tape printer to create a copy of your results. Its battery lasted as much as 50 hours!

Epson HX-20

Starting in the late 1970s and into the 1980s, companies like Casio, Sharp, Canon and Radio Shack marketed pocket-size devices that were designed to keep notes, track appointments, and store addresses. The Psion Organiser is one such example. It appeared in the mid 1980s.

Psion Organiser 2

Hewlett Packard used its experience designing calculators to create the HP 95LX personal information manager in 1991. The clamshell machine had a 248 x 128 pixel black and white display, ran ms-dos 3.22, and had Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet and a powerful financial calculator built into ROM. A couple of AA cells kept the 95LX running for up to 2 weeks.

HP 95LX

By 1994, the HP 95LX had evolved into the HP 200LX, a machine with 640x200 display, MS-DOS 5.0, and built in Lotus 1-2-3, email, and calculator. This in turn became the powerful Jornada series in 1998.

HP Jornada 680

While these devices included RS-232 ports or built-in modems, they were not built with data communications as a primary function. The protocols of the World Wide Web were invented in 1990. The patents behind the WiFi wireless internet were filed in 1996.

 

[haven]

Apple started working on the Newton handheld in 1993. The Newton showed the way to a generation of new devices with its touchscreen in portrait orientation, handwriting recognition, icons as links to programs, easy to use database to track contacts, and calendar. The spirit of the Newton is evident in today's iPod Touch and iPhone.

Apple Newton

Palm Inc was the company that wrote Apple's handwriting recognition software. They introduced the Palm Pilot in 1996. In addition to a stylus and touch screen, the Palm Pilot added the Graffiti "gestures" language to improve entering data and giving commands without a keyboard.

Palm Pilot, sitting in its recharging and computer interface cradle

Microsoft took notice of the personal digital assistant (PDA) market in the early 1990s, releasing an operating system for embedded systems called Windows CE in 1995. Microsoft added a reference design for PDA hardware, and the Pocket PC was born. In 2000, Windows CE evolved into Windows for Pocket PC, and later it became Windows Mobile 2003.

Compaq iPaq 3630

The heyday for Pocket PCs was the early 2000s. HP/Compaq (iPaq), Dell (Axim), Toshiba, Palm (the Treo series), HTC, and other manufacturers released versions of Pocket PCs. The most advanced Pocket PCs were very capable, sporting 640x400 color display with touchscreen, memory expansion slot, optional external battery, GPS, telephony, and integrated thumb keyboard.

Dell Axim X51V

 

[haven]

A variation of Windows Mobile called SmartPhone was developed for telephone handset manufacturers. By 2007, almost all Pocket PC programs were canceled as sophisticated smart phones made Pocket PCs obsolete.

Smart phones running Windows Mobile come in all shapes and keyboard orientations.

HTC Mogul

HTC Touch Pro 2

Several companies make smart phones without Microsoft's help. The LG Shine has a proprietary operating system, and a phone keypad that slides away under the screen.

LG Shine

Research in Motion introduced the Blackberry pager in 1999. In 2002, the Blackberry phone integrated telephony and email access, and it became an instant hit with business customers. Today, the Blackberry exemplifies the smart phone, integrating telephony, email, text messaging, web browsing and internet faxing. A thumb-operated keyboard and trackball allow fast and accurate text entry and navigation. To make email more available to people on the go, RIM developed software that runs on the corporate email server, and pushes new messages to the Blackberry without the need for the user to request it.

Blackberry Bold

No discussion of mobile internet devices can be complete without mentioning the Apple iPhone, introduced in 2007. By the end of 2008, more than 10 million iPhones were sold. The iPhone offers telephony, 3G wireless, and Wi-Fi internet access. The iPhone has a touch screen that responds to gestures made with more than one finger, the so-called multi-touch technology.

Apple iPhone

Recently, Palm created a new mobile operating system called WebOS, and built a smart phone called the Palm Pre to show what WebOS can do. WebOS is unique in its ability to have multiple applications running simultaneously. Other OS suspend the first app when you move to a different application. The Palm Pre also has an excellent touch screen that supports multi-touch.

Palm Pre

 

[haven]

Game computers crossed into the world of mobile internet devices with the introduction of the Wi-Fi Connection for the Nintendo DS and the Sony Playstation Portable in 2005.

Sony Playstation Portable

Nintendo DS Lite

Sony offered the Vaio UX-series of portable Windows computers in 2004, the same year the OQO Model 01 was introduced.

Sony UX

OQO Model 01

The term "Ultra-mobile PC" was popularized by a Microsoft project in 2006. The UMPC was conceived as a small tablet PC that runs Microsoft Windows. The Microsoft UMPC has a touchscreen and stylus, and no keyboard. This is an engineering mockup of the UMPC:

Microsoft "origami" UMPC

The Samsung Q1 and Asus R2H are examples of the Microsoft UMPC design.

Samsung Q1

Asus R2H

 

[Bodo]

So why would I want to spend twice as much for a MID when a netbook is more powerful and you can run standard software? Not to mention the larger screen and keyboard and full compatibility with USB devices?

What am I missing?

 

[mhiscox]

So why would I want to spend twice as much for a MID when a netbook is more powerful and you can run standard software? Not to mention the larger screen and keyboard and full compatibility with USB devices?

What am I missing?

My experience with in-vehicle computers--laptops and, recently, an Aspire One netbook--is that the screens are very hard to read in a vehicle on a bright day. I put a Jotto laptop desk into the Sprinter, strapped in my Dell XPS 1210, had Streets and Trips loaded with the GPS doongle, and was ready to rock and roll . . . and then I found out I couldn't see a damn thing on the screen. The MIDs vary, but most, because of their brighter screens and less area to pick up glare, are more readable in bright conditions. (BTW, the laptop/netbook thing is much more workable if you have a co-pilot because they can horse around with screen orientation and move it closer and often see the screen when a driver couldn't.)

The other thing is that the physical size and form factor is better if to want to try, say, windshield or dashboard mounting.

And there have been some one-rev-ago MIDs showing up on the deal sites discounted down to the $300 level.

Hey, Chip . . . saw the picture of the Psion and went out to the Rubbermaid tub labeled "Old Small Computers" to see if mine was still there. It was, right between my $4,000 NEC Ultralight with the 2MB of storage and my TRS-80 Model 100 with the 8-line LCD screen. Good grief, I am old. :sombrero:

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Am I the only person that regrets the demise of hand writing recognition system like those on early Palms? I find the thumb keyboards slower and more difficult to use. Of course I didn't grow up using them.

I do like the size of MIDs and considered buying an OQO a couple of times, but the cost is too high.

 

[haven]

"So why would I want to spend twice as much for a MID when
a netbook is more powerful and you can run standard software?"

I guess this is the question that prompted me to start this thread.
We'll have to see what people think about the trade-off between
portability, usability and purchase price.

Incidentally, there are plenty of MIDs that run standard Windows
or Linux. So standard PC software and *nix apps will run without
modification.

I saw an article recently that said there were 40,000 applications
available for the iPhone through Apple's iPhone store on iTunes.
Now, I admit that a lot of these are trivial, but there are very useful
applications, too.

For example, there's an iPhone app that allows you to view USGS
topo maps, even when you're not online. The iPhone's GPS capability
shows you where you are on the map.
http://www.navigadget.com/index.php/2009/03/18/get-topo-maps-on-your-iphone
http://www.ebranta.com/topopointusa

Chances are you'd be willing to carry your iPhone when you're taking
a hike, but you'd be less likely to carry your netbook or laptop.

Chip Haven

 

[haven]

Qualcomm Smartbook MID

Qualcomm makes the Snapdragon processor and chipset. Companies like HTC, Toshiba, LG and Samsung have phone designs using Snapdragon silicon. These phones, mostly running Windows Mobile, are expected in the second half of 2009.

Now Qualcomm is promoting a reference model for a Snapdragon device with a larger screen and keyboard. Qualcomm calls it the Smartbook because it has elements of the smart phone and the netbook.

Some features of the Smartbook design include:
3G mobile broadband for telephony and data
Bluetooth for headset
Wi-Fi for local internet connection
GPS for location-aware content
3D graphics for gaming
HD video (720p)
Less than 2 lbs.
Under 20 mm / 0.80 in thick
All-day battery life
Week-long standby time
High resolution display (up to 1280x720)
Touch screen
Intuitive interface
Keyboard with large keys
Customizable operating system
Optimized for web applications
Full Internet browsing
Instant-On, ready for use immediately

Snadragon chipsets work with Windows Mobile, Google Android and a couple of versions of Linux, but not Microsoft Windows. Presumably the manufacturer could choose one of these as the operating system for its Smartbook design. Having multiple OS would confuse the prospects of a Qualcomm "Snapdragon application store."

A version of the Snapdragon chipset is available for 4G data communication protocols, so when a wireless carrier makes higher speeds available, Qualcomm is ready.

 

[haven]

Viliv S5 and X70

The Viliv S5 and X70 are mobile internet devices that run a standard version of Microsoft Windows XP. The same applications that you would run on a laptop or netbook will run on these small slate computers.

The S5 and X70 are similar, with the exception of the display. The S5 has a 5 inch display, and the X70 measures 7 inches diagonally. Both use the typical netbook hardware (Intel Atom processor, 60 GB hard drive, 1 GB RAM, 1024 x 600 pixel screen resolution, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, VGA output, and so on). Both have built-in GPS, which means you can use any Windows XP turn-by-turn navigation software, and topo map-reading software.

Mobile internet devices need communications options. The standard S5 and X70 only have Wi-Fi. More expensive versions add a 3G modem card, but it's unclear at this point which USA cell phone company the modem will work with. So the best solution today is to use a Verizon Wireless Mi-Fi 2200, a Wi-Fi router and gateway to Verizon's 3G data network. Shortly we should know which USA phone companies' SIMs will work with the Viliv's modem card.

The S5 and X70 can operate in either portrait and landscape mode. The machines are easier to hold in portrait mode, but seem to fit securely in one hand in either orientation.

Both machines are slate computers, which means that they have touch screens with an on-screen keyboard, rather than a standard keyboard. You can attach a portable keyboard and mouse by Bluetooth if you prefer. The touch screen offers haptic feedback, which means that the screen gives feedback by touch as you use it, in addition to a little click sound.

Viliv S5

The S5 measures 6.0 x 3.3 x 0.96 inches, and weighs 15 oz. The 5 inch screen has a 1024 x 600 resolution. By way of comparison, an iPhone's dimensions are 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.46 inches, weighs 4.8 oz., and has a 3.5 inch screen with 320 x 480 resolution.

Both the S5 and X70 include a kit that mounts the computer to the windshield, as well as a 12V power plug.

S5 on the windshield

The X70 is larger, measuring 8.2 x 4.6 x 0.8 inches and weighing 23 oz. This makes the X70 similar in size to the Sony Vaio P ultraportable (9.6 x 4.7 x .78 inches, 23 oz). The X70's battery doesn't last as long as the S5's does. Viliv says the S5 can play movies for 6 hours on a full charge, while the X70 would last 5.5 hours under the same conditions.

Here's the X70, showing Viliv's custom program launcher. You populate the cube on the screen with shortcuts to programs. You can rotate the cube using a finger on the touch screen to see the other sides of the cube.

The S5 and X70 differ in the ability to use Skype and similar VOIP applications. The X70 has a built-in webcam, and decent-size speakers on the front of the unit. The S5 lacks the webcam, and has one smaller speaker.

Here's a video review that shows both machines in action:
http://jkontherun.com/2009/06/09/comparing-the-viliv-x70-and-s5-umpc-on-video/

A second video is here
http://jkkmobile.blogspot.com/2009/06/viliv-x70-umpc-first-view.html

A good review of the Viliv X70 is available on the UMPC Portal web site:
http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/06/viliv-x70-ex-umpc-full-review-with-videos

Viliv is a Korean company with no distribution network in USA. The company has chosen Dynamism, the well-respected technology merchant, to represent them in USA.

This page shows the S5 http://www.dynamism.com/#Product=viliv
and here's the X70 http://www.dynamism.com/#Product=viliv_x70

Both S5 and X70 start at $600 with a 60 GB hard drive. Solid state drive and 3G modem cost extra.

If they cost the same, how to choose between the two? For me, the easier-to-read screen and webcam make the X70 more usable for my needs. But I love the S5, which really does fit into a trousers pocket.

Chip Haven

 

[Brian McVickers]

This thread evolved through the historical time line quickly but I wanted to throw in the PockeMail Composer device. It could only do email. The user composed emails on the device and then held it up to a telephone where the clicks and beeps transmitted messages back and forth.

We used this device for about two years in the early 2000s while traveling.
I am amazed that the company is still in business, I still have the Composer unit too.

Brian

 

[haven]

The new Palm Pre smart phone is officially a sales success. Analysts estimate that Palm sold 50,000 Pres over the first weekend, and have sold an additional 50,000 since. Palm appears on track to sell 500,000 Pres in the first three months.

Palm's app store for the Pre is sparsely populated at the moment, mostly because Palm has not released its software development kit (SDK) to more than a handful of companies. Most of these lucky companies offer software products for older Palm smart phones, and Palm wants them ported over to the Pre without delay. When the SDK is finally released to developers, the number of applications available will rise dramatically.

Apple reports that _one million_ iPhone 3G S models were sold since last Friday! It's not clear how many of these were upgrades to existing iPhone users. This has to be great news for ATT, since a new 3G S means a new 2 year contract for ATT phone service.

I think the iPhone has transcended the smart phone category to a point where it's a major computing platform in its own right. While Blackberry and Nokia sell more phones than Apple, there are relatively few 3rd party applications for these platforms. In contrast, there are 45,000 applications for sale in the iPhone app store, accessible through iTunes. Reuters reported that, as of January 2009, more than 500 million applications had been downloaded.

The third generation of software for the iPhone includes an enhanced app store. New functions include subscriptions to apps, and the ability to track the purchase of additional content for apps.

Examples of subscription apps include Sirius XM satellite radio (over WiFi only, unfurtunately), $3 a month, and voice-based turn-by-turn navigation programs, around $10 a month.

Examples of the apps with additional content include new cities for a street map application, or additional levels for games.

The prospect of a monthly revenue stream from iPhone apps will attract even more developers to this platform.

Chip Haven

 

[haven]

Here's an update about the Viliv X70 EX. It's a slate computer, meaning it uses an on-screen keyboard instead of a traditional laptop keyboard. The X70 runs Windows XP and Vista, and Windows 7 has been successfully installed on it. The X70 can run any software written for the Windows environment.

The X70 is made in South Korea by Yukyung Technologies. Dynamism sells the X70 in USA. A well-configured X70 (32 GB SSD, built in 3G modem, spare battery, and car dashboard mount) costs $878.

Here's the distributor's page for the X70
http://www.dynamism.com/#Product=viliv_x70

And here's the manufacturer's page about the X70
http://www.myviliv.com/eng/product/x70ex.asp

Apple's rumored "iPad" might be similar in design to the X70.



Viliv X70 specifications
------------------------------------
Intel Atom Z520 processor, 1.33 GHz
Intel "Poulsbo" US15W System Controller Hub
Intel GMA 500 graphics chip
1 GB RAM
7 inch diagonal 1024 x 600 color LCD display
resistive touchscreen with glossy finish
supports 720p HD video playback
16, 32 or 128 GB solid state drive
integrated WiFi
Bluetooth
GPS receiver, lets you use any Windows navigation software
built-in mic, speakers and web cam for VoIP
onscreen keyboard with haptic feedback (small click and vibrate)
SDHC slot for memory expansion up to 32GB
ships with XP and Vista, Windows 7 does work
runtime 4 to 5 hours
easily replaceable battery
runs up to 150 hours in Standby mode
boots up from Standby in 5 seconds

optional car dashboard mount
optional video out cable to attach to TV
optional internet access with AT&T 3G data contract
(some report you can use the X70 as a phone as well)

210 mm x 117 mm x 22.5 mm, 660 g with battery
8.2" x 4.6" x 0.8", 1.45 lbs



Viliv X70 on YouTube
-------------------------------------

Viliv user interface "rotating cube"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAsFtSku5io

iTunes on X70
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OwMlGf8lhc

on-screen keyboard with haptic feedback
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IO-5LRCmTI

car mount and in-motion navigation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg0msC9T4SU&feature=related

 

[haven]

MID is the new netbook ?

The original netbooks were designed to give you simple computing power and Internet access in a small, portable package with light weight and good battery life. As netbooks evolve in 2010, adding more features, increased size, and higher prices, the MID may emerge as the true successor to the netbook.

In 2010, many new MIDs are scheduled to reach the marketplace. The latest designs are powerful enough for web browsing, playing audio and HD video, and running simple applications. And the prices can be significantly lower than netbooks.

Rather than Intel Atom processors, the new MIDs will use low power processors and operating systems originally designed for cell phones.

Many low-power processors have unfamiliar names, such as Qualcomm Snapdragon, Nvidia Tegra, Texas Instruments OMAP, and Marvell XScale. These are all designs licensed from a company called ARM Holdings, Ltd.

ARM designs are found in a large majority of cell phones, PDAs, game machines, personal media players. For example, the Apple iPhone uses an ARM11 processor produced by Samsung. The latest Blackberry phones use an XScale processor. The new Palm Pre uses a TI OMAP. All are capable of web browsing and running simple applications.

The recipe for a web-browsing MID in 2010 is: Combine an ARM processor with a screen larger than a cell phone. Add a small amount of memory, a battery, and a streamlined operating system. Bake and serve.

Since the ARM processors don't run Windows, small, speedy alternatives have been developed. The best known are Google Chrome and Apple iPhone OS. Moblin (short for mobile linux) is less well-known, but with backing from Intel, it's developing quickly. Canonical Ltd. is promoting a version of Ubuntu for MIDs, too. Windows CE is another alternative.

Most new MIDs are slate designs, with a virtual keyboard that appears on the screen when needed. Here are a few examples:

Archos 5 Internet Tablet
$380
Ti OMAP 3430, 800 Mhz
128MB RAM, 32GB flash disk
Android 2.0 OS
4.8" 800 X 480 disply
5.6 x 3.1 x 0.4 inches, 8.8 oz
http://carrypad.com/2009/12/06/archos-5-internet-tablet-android-32gb-ssd-full-review

Dell Streak (rumor)
ARM processor
Android 2.0 OS
800 x 480 capacitive multitouch display
WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G WWAN
5 megapixel camera
1,300 mAh battery

ICD Ultra
price estimate $250
Nvidia Tegra T20 ARM processor, 1 GHz
Android custom, no access to Android Market applications
7 inch, 800 X 480 color touchscreen
512 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM
4GB flash hard drive, microSD flash card slot
3G cell phone radio, WiFi, Bluetooth, USB 2.0
1.3 mp front-facing camera, HDMI out
dimensions 7.3 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches, 21 oz with battery
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/20/icd-ultra-android-tablet-hands-on/

Camangi Webstation
price $399
Marvell PXA303 624MHz processor
Android 1.5 OS
7 inch, 800 x 480 color touchscreen
128 MB RAM, 256 MB ROM, microSD card slot
3G, WiFi, USB 2.0
4000 mAh battery, 4 days standby, 4 hours operation
7.87 x 4.72 x 0.57 inches, 13.75 oz
http://www.camangi-webstation.com/

Notion Ink tablet
will be introduced at CES show, January 2010
http://www.notionink.com/
Tegra T20 processor
10.1 inch, 1024 x 600 Pixel Qi display
Android OS
9.8″ x 6.3″ x 0.6″ and weighs 1.7 pounds

MIDs with a more conventional notebook design will be introduced, too. Qualcomm calls these "smartbooks," since they are a combination of the processor and OS used in a smart phone, and the layout of a netbook.

For example:

Lenovo Smartbook
Qualcomm Snapdragon processor
7 inch screen
"thinner than a Palm Pre"
to be sold by AT&T