Mobile Gadgets may Beat Both Phones, Netbooks
Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) may supplant both smartphones, such as Apple's iPhone, and netbooks, such as the Asus Eee PC, according to a survey of US consumers released last week.
Artwork: Chip TaylorIn November 2008 ABI Research carried out a survey of more than 1,000 adult US consumers, aimed at identifying their attitudes to netbooks and Mobile Internet Devices.
The research, "Consumer Impressions of Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs)", suggests that some people will value a separate device with a bigger screen for the web browsing, that they can choose when to carry. The more interesting promise offered by MIDs without cellular voice will be their repackaging in the form of specialized Internet-connected CE devices such as media players or personal navigation devices.
MIDs have been proposed by some as mobile phone replacements. Does the public agree? In this survey, almost half did, lending support to new MIDs incorporating voice capabilities. 34 percent said they would continue to use a standard mobile handset.
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