From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A mobile Internet device (MID) is a multimedia-capable handheld computer providing wireless Internet access.^[1][2][3] They are designed to provide entertainment, information and location-based services for personal use, rather than for corporate use. They allow 2-way communication and real-time sharing. MIDs are larger than smartphones but smaller than the Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC). They have been described as filling a niche between smartphones and Tablet PCs.^[4]. They are an easy way to stay in contact with others wirelessly.

Lenovo Ideapad U8 MID.

The Nokia N810 is an example of a MID.

Intel MID platforms

MID with Atom: Gigabyte M528

Intel announced a prototype MID at the Intel Developer Forum in Spring 2007 in Beijing. A MID development kit by Sophia Systems using Intel Centrino Atom was announced in April 2008.^[5]

Intel MID platforms are based on an Intel processor and chipset which consume less power than most of the x86 derivatives and are previously an extension of the Centrino mobile platform for Menlow platform (Silverthorne). A few platforms have been announced as listed below:

McCaslin platform (2007)

This platform contains an Intel A100/A110 processor (codenamed Stealey) 90 nm running at 600-800 MHz respectively.

Menlow platform (2008)

On 2 March 2008, Intel introduced the Intel Atom processor,^[6] formerly codenamed "Menlow", a new family of low-power processors designed specifically for MIDs. The components have thin, small designs and work together to "enable the best mobile computing and Internet experience" on mobile and low-power devices.

This platform contains an Intel Atom processor (codenamed Diamondville) 45 nm CMOS running up to 2.0 GHz. It uses Poulsbo Chipset (aka System Controller Hub) and includes Intel HD Audio, Azalia. (Azalia here doesn't refer to the HD Audio codec.) Menlow platform which can be part of Centrino Atom was discontinued in Q3 2008.

Moorestown platform (2009)

The codename Moorestown refers to the third generation of the Atom platform for MIDs. This platform contains an Intel Atom processor architecture (codenamed Lincroft) which makes up the Pine view CPU 45 nm.^[7][8] The platform consists of a southbridge codenamed Langwell. Since the memory controller, graphics controller and video/display controller are all now integrated into the Pineview CPU, the northbridge has been removed and the CPU communicates directly with the southbridge via the DMI bus interface.

Medfield platform (2011)

The codename Medfield refers to the fourth generation of the Atom platform for MIDs. This platform contains an Intel Atom processor 32 nm.^[7]

Operating system

Intel announced collaboration with Ubuntu to create Ubuntu for mobile internet devices distribution, known as Ubuntu MID Edition. Ubuntu's website says the new distribution "will provide a rich Internet experience for users of Intel’s 2008 Mobile Internet Device (MID) platform."^[9]

See also

• UMPC (Ultra-Mobile PC)
• Moblin project
• Handhelds with WiFi connectivity
• Ubuntu Mobile
• WiMAX
• Netbook / Smartbook
• CrunchPad
• Android (operating system)

References

1. ^ Forward Concepts (June 2008). "Mobile Internet Devices (MID) & Chip Market Opportunities". http://www.fwdconcepts.com/MID8.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-27.  
2. ^ "Mobile Internet Device (MID)". www.arm.com. http://www.arm.com/markets/mid/. Retrieved 2008-10-27.  
3. ^ "Wireless Handset Solutions: Mobile Internet Device". focus.ti.com. http://focus.ti.com/general/docs/wtbu/wtbuproductcontent.tsp?templateId=6123&navigationId=12795&contentId=36404. Retrieved 2008-10-27.  
4. ^ "What is a Mobile Internet Device?". November 2008. http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid40_gci1262250,00.html. Retrieved 2008-11-02.  
5. ^ MID dev kit sports Centrino Atom chipset
6. ^ Intel Announces Intel Atom Brand for New Family of Low-Power Processors
7. ^ ^{a b} http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?id=2926&cid=18&pg=8
8. ^ http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?cid=18&id=2525
9. ^ "Canonical Announces Details of Ubuntu for Mobile Internet Devices". 2007-06-07. http://www.ubuntu.com/news/ubuntu-for-mobile-internet-devices. Retrieved 2007-06-12.  

External links

• MID Moves is a blog about MIDs in use
• MID/UMPC
• Intel Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) and Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs)
• moblin.org
• Intel to launch Linux-powered mobile Internet device
• Intel demonstrating first prototype devices from EB and Compal
• Italian carrier ships Linux MID
• First Atom-based Linux MID ships for $700
• MID Hardware Lenovo Ideapad U8 on Engadget

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