UMID M1 mbook US release date on uncertain ground
At a time when more people are demanding that their mobile computing devices come with built-in 3G connectivity, it's easy to scan a specs list and delight at the inclusion of HSDPA without thinking. It can be a knee-jerk reaction: we see 3G, we're immediately happy. But when the object of our affection is released in another country, it's important to find out whether the device, if imported, will support our 3G frequency bands.
Take, for example, the UMID M1 mbook MID. Launched in Korea just a few weeks ago, the Atom-based clamshell is one that many have been waiting to get their hands on.
It was revealed at CES 2009 that UMID would be bringing the unit to the US in late May/early June.
Today, however, my contact at UMID told me that while the company is currently working with European distributors and "developing HSDPA and WiMAX for Europe scheme," the same isn't true for America. As such, UMID can no longer confirm the previous summer release and, in the words of my contact, "can't give exact information on the releasing date in US."
The UMID M1 units that are currently shipping in Korea and elsewhere do not support 3G in the US (I only asked about AT&T's 850MHz and 1900MHz bands). Even the HSDPA-equipped review unit that I should be getting soon (if not for the quality issues, I would've had it by now) won't be able to take advantage of the great 3G coverage here in Honolulu.
This may have been implicit, as a Korean product isn't "supposed to" support American mobile broadband, but I've received enough questions about it to justify contacting UMID for clarification.
In short:
- A US release is still in the works, but it will most likely be later than expected.
- If you're in the US and you want 3G, don't buy the UMID M1 from an importer just yet.
Full specifications, news links, and other information about the UMID M1 mbook MID in the database.
