Who Needs Netbooks? Acer Plans Detail Mobile Internet Device

Acer, makers of the 10-inch Aspire One netbook coming later this year, could be prepared to take business in a new direction, if a recent U.S. patent filing is to be believed. More »

TuneWiki Turns Mobile Internet Devices Into Zune-Wannabes

First, Intel decided to go with Linux for its MIDs, and now it's giving the bird to Microsoft again by revealing a contender to the Zune's social music aspect. TuneWiki, a “social media player” software based on Intel's Atom processor integrates music and video with synchronized lyrics and a social network. More »

Lenovo's Ideapad U8 MID Under Starter's Orders at Olympics

Way back in April was when we first showed you details on Lenovo's Ideapad U8 mobile internet device, and Lenovo's just launched it at the Beijing Olympics. The palmtop phone/PC has an Intel Atom Z500 ticking away inside at 800MHz, GPS, dual cameras, and with 1GB of RAM and a sizable 6GB SSD. Connectivity-wise, it's fully loaded with 802.11 b/g wi-fi, Bluetooth, EDGE, 3G support and apparently "WiMAX support." There's also a dongle for picking up China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting signals so you can watch the Olympics for free. But therein lies the rub: The 10.6-ounce, vaguely PSP-like U8 is a China-only gizmo, so you won't care that it'll have a price "equivalent" to other smartphones. [Pocketables]

IdeaPad U8 from Lenovo Has Intel's Atom, GPS, EDGE

This is the IdeaPad U8 from Lenovo. With Intel's Atom chip inside it, the Mobile Internet Device has an optical mouse to let you fiddle one-handed, supports 3G and EDGE, has GPS, a 4.8-inch touchscreen, a Paul Smith-esque striped back (hope that stays) and an annoying ambient bongo player (either that goes or I do.) Video after the jump. More »

Mobile Internet Device from BenQ—Shake It Like a Polaroid Picture

We've already seen a video of BenQ's imaginatively named "mobile internet device" (you can call it MID) in action, but more details have been emerging about the touchscreen device, with its customized UI, in Barcelona this week—including the intriguing news that you can shake it, rather like an Etch-A-Sketch, to minimize open windows. More deets, plus a press shot, below. More »

Intel's New Mobile PCs Will Ditch Vista for Linux

UMPCs have yet to take off, yet Intel's already launching an alternative to the overgrown handhelds—the Mobile Internet Device (MID). These mini-tablets will run Linux, not Vista, as their operating system. More »