Several Mobile Internet Device (MID) designs were highlighted during Anand Chandrasekher’s IDF 2007 keynote. ASUS, Samsung, Fujitsu, and BenQ are some of the more familiar brands that will use Intel’s Menlow (for release 1H CY08).
In addition to work with Microsoft, Anand reviewed the advancements and partnerships with the Linux community. Moblin.org is a community site where developers can download tools and contribute, based on Ubuntu Linux. There appears to be a hardware seed program for active developers. Helpful assistance.
UI should look familiar to those who have used the Nokia N700 and N800. Screenshots address the all too familiar issue of getting icons and targets the right size. The MID design guidelines
stress that an application should be designed so that it fits on MIDs with various display resolutions, screen sizes, and screen orientations. Here are some screenshots from the design guidelines:
Looking forward to Moorestown, Intel’s 2nd generation, designs should be able to be even thinner. The prototype shown below is pocketable, ultra-thin, and is ultra-wide. Intel showed an onscreen, split keypad reminiscent of dial keys or Apple’s iPhone design. Sleek.