Mobile Internet Device (MID)

A Mobile Internet Device (MID) is a small multimedia-enabled mobile device that provides wireless Internet access. MIDs facilitate real-time and two-way communication by filling the multimedia gap between mobile phones and tablets.

A MID is larger than a handheld device, like a smartphone, but smaller than an ultra-mobile PC (UMPC). MID technology focuses on providing entertainment, information and location-based services to individual consumers, rather than enterprises.

A MID has several positive advantages over smaller and larger devices. It provides a larger display than a typical mobile phone with preloaded Internet functionality, which facilitates Web browsing. The compact MID design allows users to easily carry a MID in a backpack or purse. Also, MID devices are significantly lighter than standard laptops.

MIDs provide efficient and wireless connectivity. Features based on Intel’s 2007 prototype are as follows:

• Display screen: 4.5 to 6 inches
• Boot time: Faster than UMPC
• Manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP): Lower than UMPC
• Random access memory (RAM): 256 or 512 Mb
• Pixel resolution: 800x480 or 1024x600
• Easy interface
• Wide local area network (WLAN) or Wi-Fi technology

In 2007, Intel introduced its first generation MID (code-named McCaslin) with a 90 nm Intel A100/A110 processor that ran at 600-800 MHz. In 2011, Intel will release its fourth generation (4G) processor (code-named Medfield), which will contain a 32 nm Intel Atom processor (speed unknown).

Intel MIDs use the Moblin (now known as MeeGo) model, which is an open source Linux OS with the latest dual core processors. Key features are a built-in Global Positioning System (GPS) and long battery life.