On the launch of the iPhone SDK, several of us described how we saw that with the iPhone was essentially the initial victor in the MID market–even though the MIDs have yet to hit the street. After this, there was a bit of a debate about whether the iPhone market and the MID market overlapped at all. Looks like Intel agrees with our take. Check out this market diagram on MacRumors. In it you can see that Intel looks at the Smartphone market as a larger opportunity for MIDs–although it sees it as a “Generation 2” opportunity. Of course, Intel is meaning this from a processor perspective–in other words, they will have a processor that will be smartphone friendly in their second generation. But it’s interesting to see that they are lumping the first gen MIDs and the iPhone along the same “mobile internet device” spectrum. Makes sense to me.
It does acknowledge, though, the lead that Apple essentially has in the MID market. Not so sure if this is a good idea. Well, I guess if it’s obvious to most, then there’s no harm. However, it sure points out–at least to me–that Intel needs to get better aligned with its MID partners–unless it’s simply looking at MIDs as 18-month devices that’ll get drawered about the time their batteries fail to hold any more charges.
So this begs the question: Is it going to be worthwhile for developers to write for the first gen MIDs–or just jump right to the iPhone. After all the iPhone is out now.
If Intel had a large software partner, this issue would at least have a retort. You could argue that MIDs run a full OS (if Microsoft was fully behind the MID initiative) or that MIDs have unequaled access to the Internet (if Google worked with them). As it is, Intel is left with MIDs as a chunk of hardware with a mixed story in terms of the software–one that is overwhelmed by the Apple “equivalent”–the iPhone.
This being said, I do think what Intel is missing out on is the differentiators they have in their first gen devices:
* larger displays–which most of us older types find much easier to view. Plus you can simply do more with more screen real-estate.
* open platform and marketplace
* add an IR device in order to support remote control scenarios
* room for GPS?
Likewise, in terms of scenarios, I’d go talk with the camera folks. Add a good sensor array and a real lens, and you may just have a new market. Check out what’s going on with the Nokia N95 and Qik if you don’t believe me.
One last possibility going on here: This diagram may be telegraphing–get this–not simply that the iPhone is a great MID, but rather that down the road, the makers of the iPhone may be joining in on the MID game. In other words, Apple might position the iPhone as it stands today as a MID, but it might also be creating a Moorestown “iPhone” family device that’s more MID than phone.
What might this be like? Dunno. But maybe a larger screen. Richer apps that can take advantage of a larger screen. And who knows what. Likely? Your guess is as good as mine. No matter. If you hear about a rumor like this down the road, you now know where it might have started. Ooops. 🙂