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HTC with an MID this year! |
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Written by Duke Carico
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Saturday, 08 March 2008 |
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High Tech Computer has joined Intel's efforts to develop Mobile Internet Device Products and the company is expected to launch their first product with handset functions this year, according to sources in Taiwan's handset industry! What does this mean? It could mean that we finally see a true alternative to the laptop . . . Let me explain. Currently mobile devices are built upon what is called in the industry an ARM processor. But Mobile Internet Devices use the x86 architecture. Windows PCs all are built upon the x86 platform. There are many MID devices available today! But most are not exactly what one would call pocketable. And I don't expect HTC's first one to be either! But I am betting that its only a matter of time before we see an x86 based mid the size of the TyTN II. And that could be mobile world changing! The x86 platform could mean that software designed for your windows PC may be compatible with your handset! Michael Chen, director of INtel's Embedded Sales Group, in Asia Pacific, is already claiming that these devices will perform much better than the current ARM based devices! I don't expect the World to migrate to this platform this year, but I am betting in two-three years, most smartphones offered will be built using the x86 platform. Intel also has a 2nd generation platform scheduled for 2009, and thats when I expect things to get really fun! Even with voice functionality, the prices of second-generation MID devices are also expected to more competitive than the current generation of MIDs which are mostly available in prices ranging from US$599-799, according to market sources. If your wondering where the future of mobile computing might lie, my guess is its with Intel's MID x86 processors and HTC's first generation devices.
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