More Digifriends WiMAX MID US launch details
Yesterday I broke the news about the Digifriends WiMAX MID heading to the US, and today I have more information to share directly from Digifriends USA.
According to Project Supervisor Peter Kim, the only thing standing between our hands and the modular MID is for "WiMAX service providers/carriers throughout the country to fully launch their services." This, of course, makes it difficult to set and then stick to a firm release date. Ideally, he said, they "are hoping and planning for sales starting later this year or early next year." With Sprint having just pushed back its XOHM rollout and no firm contract in place yet, it goes without saying that Digifriends’ timeline should be taken as optimistic estimation.
I asked Peter to confirm the specs originally revealed at CES, currently duplicated on the Digifriends USA "work in progress" website, and seen below.
| CPU: |
1.2GHz Intel Silverthorne (Poulsbo US15 chipset) |
| RAM: | 1GB DDR2 SDRAM (533MHz) |
| OS: | Windows Vista, Windows XP, Linux |
| Storage: | 30GB to 60GB (1.3" HDD) |
| Display: | 4.8” touchscreen (1024 x 600) |
| Wireless: | 802.16e mobile WiMAX (2.3 to 2.5GHz), WiBro (KT) 802.11b/g wi-fi, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, terrestrial DMB (DVB-H, 1-Seg) |
| Camera: | 0.3-megapixel front, 2-megapixel rear |
| Front Side: | Optical mouse with button, left/right mouse buttons, LED indicators, Windows touch button support |
| Interface (Side): | USB, miniUSB, power button, camera shutter, audio/mic/tv-out/vga-out (14-pin connection) |
| Size: | 6.30" x 3.46" x 0.71" |
| Accessories (Optional): |
QWERTY keyboard (includes extension battery), GPS navigation, stand (includes battery charger), hi-fi stereo speaker, UCC editor, Dual LCD |
Of the impressive specs, he said:
We are currently in contact with service providers and have left the option open to modify our products to fit the needs of each carrier. As a result, some of the specs may have been (or may be in the future) changed or modified but have not been updated in print.
In other words, then, it may be unwise to hold your breath until Digifriends releases a MID with these exact specifications. The reason the preliminary details were distributed at CES and why they’re still listed on the "temporary" website is so that the company can get "as much product interest feedback as possible." They’ve set up a message board to accept feedback and possibly field questions, so if you have anything to say about what is known/planned for the MID so far, have your say now while Digifriends is definitely listening. You can also drop your comments below.
I should be getting product updates as they unfold, as well as a review unit when it becomes available, so this isn’t the last you’ll see of the Digifriends WiMAX MID at Pocketables.
“starting later this year or early next year.”
Jeez, I´m under the impression that every possible interesting MID is going to be available when my grandchildren need it.
Damn “mininotes”…
Lurpa,
and by then no one will care about MID’s because they’ve all got iphone 3g’s in their pockets. intel is really dropping the ball here and is quickly losing momentum. no one is gonna care when they come out unless they are less than $300. and that’s not gonna happen.
waiting for july 11,
bill
Dear Project supervisor Peter Kim.
Just install HSDPA modul instead of WiMax, windows XP, removable keyboard and I will send
you 1300Cad for this unit right away.
Don’t install any WiMax or HSDPA and I will buy
it for 1000Cad. I can insert USB HSDPA transmitter for 300Cad by myself.
Just do something. Don’t wait for late 2008 or early 2009. You have to act now.
Don’t be like everybody else. (LG, OQO, Gigabyte,
Sharp, Samsung…)Useless. We are getting tired of watching new and new MIDs and UMPCs just on some freeking show every 6 month. We need to use this toys every day now.Be the best. Be the man with balls.
Best Regards,
Peter
What we want and what has yet to be offered in the US is a pocket computer that runs full windows and has a touch type keyboard (NOT a thumb input). Something that can be used like a Psion 5mx or HP Jornada as a primary computer for very mobile users. If this device had a built in or removable keyboard where both devices together would be able to fit in a jacket pocket (under 4.25″ x 7.4″ x 1.3″) in size.
I agree with the person whom commented about 3g phones, now all the phones have internet and similar features of MIDS but what is missing in all those phones is a useful input of a touch type keyboard. Yes they have thumb keys but that is not adequate for real e-mails and reports, etc.. I like the idea of the Sharp Wilcom D4 but that is a Japan only so far. When we now have blue tooth wireless headsets I would rather see a all in one mobile computer that has cell features but larger where it is about 7 to 7.4″ long yet narrow about 3.5 to 4.2″ in depth. That way you have a mini laptop with a useable keyboard and with a blue tooth headset for cell calls it would do everything a mobile peson wants.
Nice to put into my pocket with capability WIMAX, with more than Wifi capability, but till now still hard to find the provider that will serve Wimax around Illinois. Hope there is a kind of high speed connection around our neighborhood without any problem.
i luv dis