mobile Internet device (MID)

The mobile Internet device (MID) is a small Internet communications unit designed to provide entertainment, information and location-based services for the consumer market (rather than the enterprise). The MID is a larger form factor than a handheld device but smaller than the Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC). As such, the device has been described as filling a consumer niche between cellular telephones and tablet PCs.

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Intel debuted a Linux-powered MID prototype at the company's Developer Conference in April 2007. Intel's MID features include:

• A diagonal screen measure of 4.5 or 6 inches
• Faster boot up than a UMPC
• Lower retail cost than a UMPC
• A streamlined, "small-screen-friendly" interface
• Wi-Fi connectivity, through wireless local area network (WLAN) technology
• 256 MB (megabytes) or 512 MB of RAM (random-access memory)
• A screen resolution of 800 x 480 or 1024 x 600 pixels.

Intel predicts a global market for 180 million MID units, annually, by 2010. A number of other companies, including Nokia, are developing similar products.