Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

http://www.raiden.net/articles/why_m...ve_yet_to_soar

A little editorial I did talking about why the MiD market is stalled and when it will truly take off. Comments welcome.

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

I would say that you appear to make the same potential fallacy that i see a lot of when its about netbooks, mids and smartphones.

ts that thinking a os's "fullness" stems from where it was first used. As in, a os has to have its roots on a desktop or laptop to be "full"...

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

From what I've observed, most MIDs are too big, too expensive, too fiddley, and have short battery life. MIDs won't take off until you can easily carry one in your pocket, buy one for less than the price of a cheap laptop, use it without knowing how to use a computer, and count on the battery to last all day. It'll help if the MIDs have mobile broadband and aren't locked to a single carrier.

By this standard, even our beloved NITs fail, alas.

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

is the ipod touch classed as a MID?
I would class that as a success, it appeals to both young and old, my son has one, my wifes friends have them, all for different reasons, all love them.

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

What points do they fail ? Only perhaps the 'use without knowing how to use a computer', but that point is somewhat moot as it IS a computer (i.e. you could have the same expectation with a netbook). The are cheaper now than netbooks, pocketable, and the battery does last all day with generic use (sorry, watching 10+ hours of video daily is not normal, not for a device, nor for the person doing it).

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

I'm not sure the definition of a MID is the same for talmage as some others here. Which may be the problem with his post.

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

Fullness is relative and most new users see it that way whereas more seasoned users don't. I tend to write from the new users perspective since that's my majority audience,

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

Maybe so. Judging from what's available at Dynamism.com, most MIDs are hand sized but not pocket sized. Dynamism includes some devices that other people might call UMPCs. Obviously, our NITs are smaller but I still say they are too big. I want to take my N800 with me all of the time but it doesn't fit into all of my pants pockets. If I'm wearing tight jeans, I have to bring along a napsack or messenger bag or a jacket if I want my N800, whereas my dumb Motorola V195s flip phone fits in any pants pocket. I could try slipping the N800 into my hip pocket but then I have to worry about breaking the screen when I sit down.

For price, the MIDs at Dynamism start at $599 and go up to $2199. Even allowing for the Dynamism early-adopter premium, that's a lot of money! When the N800 first came out, it was about $399, which is at the low end of the prices for MIDs. However, people know that they can buy a netbook or a low end laptop for that price and that makes the MID seem expensive.

People like us are used to fiddling with our toys. When I got my N800, I really believed that it was Ready For Prime Time (TM), that I could give it to my 80-year-old father and he would be able to use it and it would always work for him. I was almost right. There are little things that would bug my Dad. He wouldn't have the patience for the web browser when it encounters a web site that doesn't like it (Facebook, I'm talking about you). He probably wouldn't like having to download Pidgin because the built-in IM client only works with XMPP-based services like Google Talk. He certainly wouldn't have the patience to install RTComm beta. He'd get fed up with metalayer crawler sucking up the CPU whenever it wanted to. You all would generously offer to help him if he found his way here and we'd both be grateful for that but a consumer device ought to work without a support group. Now, to be fair to the NITs, Dad would like a lot of the applications that we have and he'd probably try a bunch of them. He'd love AisleRot Solitaire.

I might concede the point about battery life. If you leave the N800 in offline mode, the battery lasts for days. Once you turn on the WIFI, the battery has only hours. Compare that to most mobile phones. You can leave the things on for days and talk for eight or more hours. MIDs have to compete with that. MIDs need all-day WIFI.

DIGITIMES a different opinion of why MIDs are failing. It blames the economy and 3G.

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

Hey everyone,


I hope I'm not speaking out of turn since I dnt have my n810 as of yet (its on its way in the mail) but i do wish to make some points that i hope wont offend anyone here (seeing how much i love this community and site for the comradery). I totally understand Raiden's point coming from a "new user perspective" but before i caught on to what a MID was i'm not so sure that article would have really help open up my eye's to persuade me to think it will ever really take off for new users/ consumers because like you said they start to wonder why it doesn't have cellular capabilities like a phone, and over look the main point of it. I know it wasn't meant to make people want MIDs or see the error in their mis judgment, but i'm just speaking from a consumer point of view as well as a gadget lovers. Its so easy for me to sit back and say how great i think the Nokia Tablets are especially the N810, I would never guess I would be so infatuated with this device after I seen it and "read into it"... I was shopping around for a device non-the less, that could do podcast, and store and play videos when i'm commuting, or just on the go where ever and have time to kill. i wasn't in the market for an iPod per say since i had a nano 3rd gen and use it a lot at the gym, and knew it was great for something small that doesn't get in my way while working out so needless to say i wasn't replacing "it". but the next device had to pick up where that left off in terms of doing what it does and then some ( having a bigger screen and such). Well since music wasn't necessarily my focal point I knew that i didnt have to have a ridiculous amount of storage but my growning addiction for podcast was enough to wipe that notion away along with the need for videos. then I thought, well why not get something that can surf the web with as well, so I turned to the iPod touch since its the most well know/advertised device in that category, "to consumers", but the price did more then make me flinch it deterred me from getting it greatly. Among other things I didn't like to have to deal with a touch screen only device, since now I was also interested in having the internet as well to add to this Repertoire of features. Having owned an iPhone before I wasn't all that impressed despite the intuitive UI and ease of use for non-techies it was just another phone to me ( coming from some one who has had more then 20 in a years time) cute but not what every one makes it out to be. so after catching wind of the Nokia n810 I was enthralled and thought {wow this is it}, I did my research (tons of youtube videos trying to see this thing in action) and "after the initial eye catching review" I found my way here and was hooked ever since.


Sorry but I had to give you a back story (which is how you can tell I"m a newbie, we love blabbing on about stuff lol especially how we came to love the NIT's) to maybe shed some light on how new users find out about MIDs and their frame of mind before they are hip to them. I had dozens of smart phones and back then wouldnt have minded to have a MID but I was unaware of these great device and how well they help keep you "pluged in" coming from a gadget lover... cell phones aside what else can compete with the size of the n810 that has more functionality, its not the top of the line but it still kicks butt in spite of its minor short comings, how small do you have to get for ppl to pick up on this? it cant be size if ppl think the n8x0 is to big but are head over heels in love with the iPhone/ touch.. its the samllest i've seen for what its packing... as for price its all in what you want if you ask me, price doesnt stop ppl from flocking to buy the newiest iphone or pc with all the fixins if they really want it. you also dnt see many 52'' flat screen 1080p HD T.V's going for $500 just to get ppl to buy them ( which they dnt mind going through hell to calibrate and play with to tweak for optimal viewing pleasure, trust me i have a 32'' hd 1080p that was not fun having to get it to look good because it doesn't come out of the box that way :rolleyes:) and expand the market, if your in the market for it you'll get it, and it seems to be that the under tone towards the Nokia tablets/MIDs is , well why do I need a that device for that when I have a computer and a smart phone. Just like that big screen t.v, you dnt need all that at all but if it were at that price you wouldn't mind helping your self to a "couple"... needless to say you cant harp on something for what it lacks and then top it off with a necessity bomb. Not the best comparison but I hope you kinda get what i'm trying to say, its like you have to haggle with consumers to even look into something new by droppin the price. making top notch hardware (expensive to manufacture) top notch software ( again exspensive to manufacture) then present it in some type of magnetic sales pitch, i see why they dnt mind appealing to this small market, for the few that are in it we appreciate it and utilize and make the most out of it for genuine use instead of getting it because it can finally copy/paste and play music as well as have thousands of apps just for the sake of having them that we know will probably never be used. the mass majority of new users/ consumers are way to FICKLE for this market of devices for the time being, not to say they will never come around but like I was saying in the beginning of my "book" lol, I am a person who loves gadgets and tech but still wasn't totally on to this device and even took more for me totally get on board once I heard about it, so for someone who isn't as tech savvy to want to jump on board because its a smaller version of the PC they have, will take awhile like Raiden says ( even more so because they want to grade against a fully juiced up desk top) but my only grip is skeptics feel that the iphone/ touch is best for there needs in this aspect. which is sad really to me, I cant imagine doing all the things that ppl claim the NIT "cant" do due to lack of speed, or what ever, on an iphone/ touch... then I've read ppl say this NIT is reaching its end of life or something.. As long as it performs and does what its not only supose to do but fulfils my need (like all tech you buy) then it will remain n good standing with me, I really dnt see how they say its so old or dated when it came out the same year the iPhone did and the only thing that has changed with the iPhone is software, hardly non if any real changes made, so why is every one dumping on the n810 like it pales in comparison. I know this isn't something that you could give to a friend and they enjoy it as much as an "apple-MID" but thats just the one herdle that has to be over come in my eyes for MIDs to reach out to new users, even to me its seems a bit mcuh to really customize this thing to really get it the way you want it but I'm always up for a challenge and have a disire to learn more about software and programs and such so I actually bought this to help me become more tech savvy and learn and have fun with a great gadget.:)

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

If as you say you are using a vendor as your guide then, yes you are not using the same definition as most people here.

But your comments are nevertheless welcome.

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

jalladin: lol. You double posted! :D But on your main point about the article not making you want a MID, you're right, as that wasn't the focus. But, since you mention it, I think that would be a good one to write as a followup. IE, why you should want a MID. Hadn't considered such an idea, but it does make sense. The more we can convince people they want MIDs, the quicker the uptake will be, and the faster the market will take off. :)

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

@ Lord Raiden, I'm so sorry for double posting( just deleted it) :(, and offending you if i did, I really didnt mean to and I really enjoy this site and all of you guys here and respect you for your knowledge and help, but I also love the n8x0 a lot and appriciate the hard work that everyone puts into the programs to keep it going, and get a little overzealous about all things tablet related...


I really think it would be a great step toward expanding the MID market, though its some ppl that are just stuck on stupid, I'm sure there will be tons of ppl who will really want to give it a try and even find it to be great like we do :) I think along with that article we could give them different aspects of users like business, consumer, and intermediate tech users that benefit from having this "bridge to your home computing experience while not at home" . Because it really seems to be something i hear a lot on Cnet when they review a PDA or phone, saying who it appeals to more or who its targeting. seeing as MIDS can aid everyone no matter how they use it opens it up for all user levels. I also was thinking about how much easier it would be if we could have "updated how to videos" on all these new programs. I know youtube has a few things but there all kinda old and if we had a section on this site for all the basic stuff as well as new and or difficult procedures would make this a truly perfect site. sorry i just thought about that after you made me think about opening up the MIDs to new users, I know if that was added to this site along with bringing that to their attention they wouldnt mind getting such an open sorce device with a solid community backing to help them in every way with walk through videos and very friendly ppl that respond promptly with great advice. :D

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

Nah, I'm not offended. It's just funny when people double post is all. lo. :)

As for the article, I could definately consider it. :)

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

It's rather incredible how misguided MIDs are, up to now. Make them about three quarters of their current size and they'll be reasonably pocketable, or at least attractively thin. (There's lots of money for whoever makes something just like the pads in Star Trek).
But no, they just have to be crazy thick, be bloated with track pads and keyboards under the screen (not the sliding type) and run Windows Vista for, uh, no good reason...

I actually call my N8*0 an MID sometimes, because Intel's marketing at least got farther than Nokia's. It's the only good one, at any rate.

Edit:
Mixing things up. 'My bad. The bigness point still stands :)

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

MIDs (by definition) do not run MS Windows or carry trackpads (by design). At least to the best of my knowledge.

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

maybe 3G capability would help MID's but for me for example, I wouldn't use it and I'm sure that would be the case for most non-US citizens... I would like the idea of having internet everywhere but the cost of the service here is... not good... even gprs... that's actually what I like of MID's they're not attached to a monthly payment or such

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

for me it would mostly be that i would need to get a second subscription/plan, rather then connect via my featurephone...

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

Well, current cellular service is a bloody ripoff. But there are rumblings in the industry that hint towards a possible shakeup soon that could be a huge win/win for the customer.

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

Smaller size is always more expensive.
Not too long ago laptops were far more expensive than desktops.
Fairly recently netbooks took off because of low price (and portablity).

Are MIDs (X86 compatible ones) the size of a NIT still to expensive to make ?
And there is battery life; X86 compatible processors still need more power (= bigger batteries) han ARMs.

And OSs for the ARM architecture are not yet commonplace.
Symbian and Mobile Windows have sold a lot of smartphones but are (slowly) on their way out and inadequate for a NIT/MID.
( An exception: the HTC Advantage; with a community developing ROMs with additional features.)
Linux seems to be the trend; there is Maemo, Openmoko but not yet much more.

So we are at a stage of the egg and the hen.
When Nokias "step 5" (N900 or N1000 or other) or similar of other make are launched, we will have the first products that could be succesfully marketed (almost) as efficiently as e.g. the Iphone.

( Although the existing NITs have no real competition, I believe Nokia has been wise to use them as a niche product and a base for developing an OS until it is ripe for a mass market. So long as they do not loose their head start.)

What size will the consumers want ?
Personally I like the pocketability of my N810.
With a side pocket on my pants I would prefere a 5 1/2 inch screen for a better display of photos.
Where between 3-6 inches of screen is the future ?

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

Nice article. My take on it:

http://tabulacrypticum.wordpress.com...at-does-it-do/

I linked you. ;)

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

Still surprises me when I see this, my n810 stays on with wifi as and skype and built in SIP registered for about 3 days with low usage and at least a full day to day and a half with a couple of skype calls made. If it really ran out of battery in a few hours I would sell it. Try buying a new OEM battery talmage.

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

talmage isn't the only one having issues with n800's battery life.Maybe the issue isn't the battery but something in the n800 itself (variances due to different batches maybe?).
Reportedly the n810 is better in this regard.

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

@ Texrat, wow that article was amazing, it spoke volumes. Did you say you wrote that? well whom ever wrote it i say to you, well done, you should find a way to get that on a television segment or something for more ppl to see and become aware of. just from reading that would make someone want to learn more about these MIDs / NITs, thats exactly why they haven't taken off and you even go further to say how they could.

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

I wrote the one at tabulacrypticum. Raiden wrote the original that inspired me. Credit where it's due. ;)

When I worked at Nokia, I blogged internally on that subject many times (I was also directly instrumental in the US launch of the N800). Trust me, I made my feelings on this topic very well known. Just hard to fight corporate agendas... : /

Anyway, thanks! :)

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

quuick guess is that they are connected to routers with faulty powersave support...

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

Wow Texrat. Nice followup article. :D You ought to do some writing for us. ;)

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

Gotta feed mine first. You're welcome to reference or even republish anything though.

Re: Why MIDs have yet to soar
 

NP. All of our content, aside from mine, is user submitted, so you can submit articles on your schedule whenever it's most convenient for you.