Amobile Internet device (MID) is amultimedia capablemobile device providingwirelessInternet access.[1][2][3] They are designed to provide entertainment, information andlocation-based services for personal or business use. They allow 2-way communication and real-time sharing. They have been described as filling a niche between smartphones andtablet computers.[4]
As all the features of MID started becoming available on smartphones and tablets, the term is now mostly used to refer to both low-end as well as high-end tablets.[5]
The form factor of mobile Internet tablets from Archos is very similar to the Lenovo image on the right. The class has included multiple operating systems: Windows CE, Windows 7 and Android. The Android tablet uses anARM Cortex CPU and atouchscreen.
Intel announced a prototype MID at theIntel Developer Forum in Spring 2007 inBeijing. A MID development kit by Sophia Systems using Intel Centrino Atom was announced in April 2008.[6]
Intel MID platforms are based on an Intel processor and chipset which consume less power than most of the x86 derivatives. A few platforms have been announced as listed below:
Intel's first generation MID platform (codenamedMcCaslin) contains a 90 nmIntel A100/A110 processor (codenamedStealey) which runs at 600–800 MHz.
| Centrino | McCaslin platform |
|---|---|
| Mobilechipset | an Intel 945GU Express MCH northbridge (codenamedLittle River) with integratedGMA 950 graphics and an ICH7-U southbridge |
| Mobile processor | a90 nm Intel A100/A110 processor (codenamedStealey) |
| Wireless network | a wireless radio |
On 2 March 2008, Intel introduced theIntel Atom processor brand[7] for a new family of low-power processor platforms. The components have thin, small designs and work together to "enable the best mobile computing and Internet experience" on mobile and low-power devices.
Intel's second generation MID platform (codenamedMenlow) contains a 45 nm Intel Atom processor (codenamedSilverthorne) which can run up to 2.0 GHz and a System Controller Hub (codenamedPoulsbo) which includesIntel HD Audio (codenamedAzalia). This platform was initially branded asCentrino Atom but such practice was discontinued in Q3 2008.
| Centrino | Menlow platform |
|---|---|
| Mobilechipset | an IntelSCH (codenamedPoulsbo) with integratedGMA 500 graphics (PowerVR SGX 535 based) |
| Mobile processor | a45 nmIntel Atom processor (codenamedSilverthorne) |
| Wireless network | a wireless radio |
Intel's third generation MID/smartphone platform (codenamedMoorestown) contains a 45 nmIntel Atom processor (codenamedLincroft) and a separate 65 nm Platform Controller Hub (codenamedLangwell). Since the memory controller and graphics controller are all now integrated into the processor, thenorthbridge has been removed and the processor communicates directly with thesouthbridge via theDMI bus interface.
| Atom | Moorestown platform |
|---|---|
| Mobilechipset | a65 nm IntelPCH (codenamedLangwell) and an MSIC (codenamedBriertown) |
| Mobile processor | a45 nmIntel Atom processor (codenamedLincroft) with integratedGMA 600 graphics (PowerVR SGX 535 based) |
| Wireless network | a wireless radio (codenamedEvans Peak)[8] |
Intel's fourth generation MID/smartphone platform (codenamedMedfield) contains their first completeIntel Atom SoC (codenamedPenwell), produced on 32 nm.
| Atom | Medfield platform |
|---|---|
| Mobile processor | a32 nmIntel Atom SoC (codenamedPenwell) with integrated CPU (codenamedSaltwell) and graphics (PowerVR SGX 540 based) |
| Wireless network | a wireless radio |
Intel's MID/smartphone platform (codenamedClover Trail+) based on itsClover Trail tablet platform. It contains a 32 nmIntel Atom SoC (codenamedCloverview).
| Atom | Clover Trail+ platform |
|---|---|
| Mobile processor | a32 nmIntel Atom SoC (codenamedCloverview) with integrated CPU (codenamedSaltwell) and graphics (PowerVR SGX 545 based) |
| Wireless network | a wireless radio |
Intel's fifth generation MID/smartphone platform (codenamedMerrifield) contains a 22 nmIntel Atom SoC (codenamedTangier).
| Atom | Merrifield platform |
|---|---|
| Mobile processor | anIntel Atom SoC (codenamedTangier) with integrated CPU (codenamedSilvermont) and graphics (PowerVR G6400[9]) |
| Wireless network | a wireless radio |
Intel's sixth generation MID/smartphone platform (codenamedMoorefield) contains a22 nmIntel Atom SoC (codenamedAnniedale).
| Atom | Moorefield platform |
|---|---|
| Mobile processor | anIntel Atom SoC (codenamedAnniedale) with integrated CPU (codenamedAirmont) and graphics (PowerVR G6430[10]) |
| Wireless network | a wireless radio |
Intel's seventh generation MID/smartphone platform (codenamedMorganfield) contains a 14 nmIntel Atom SoC (codenamedBroxton).
| Atom | Morganfield platform |
|---|---|
| Mobile processor | anIntel Atom SoC (codenamedBroxton) with integrated CPU (codenamedGoldmont) and graphics (Gen 9) |
| Wireless network | a wireless radio |
Intel announced collaboration withUbuntu to create Ubuntu for mobile internet devices distribution, known asUbuntu Mobile. Ubuntu's website said the new distribution "will provide a rich Internet experience for users of Intel’s 2008 Mobile Internet Device (MID) platform."[11] Ubuntu Mobile ended active development in 2009.
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