I’m no stranger to presenting this type of mobile technology to potential end users. Any device that sits between a laptop and a smartphone and offer computing capability that crosses over with these other categories is hard to explain. I usually take a different tack with MIDs and UMPCs which goes something like this. If its a UMPC, its for pro users. Its for people that want, and can benefit from having a PC with them even if they don’t think they need it. For the MIDs I tend to talk about all the other consumer device between smartphones and PCs. Personal navigation, ebooks, web pads and video players. Generally, it opens a wider discussion about the devices.
Here at MBC09 we’re talking to some very advanced mobile users. There are many netbooks here, some very high end phones and a lot of 3G so the discussion is deep, passionate and long. Obviously, price and battery life is a question coming up a lot but what’s really great is the way the people here start thinking creatively about the devices. They are really interested in the idea of multitasking with multiple applications both in the browser and in platforms like adobe air. The processing power is the thing that they get. Of course, getting the OQO out helps the discussion too!
The conference started off talking about 140 characters but what I really think these microbloggers are interested in is mobile blogging in a rich but succinct and efficient way. Rich content creation, anywhere. Microblogging for business purposes can be more effective when if contains media and references to relevant information and lets face it, media, content creation and post-production needs multiple tools and a lot of processing power.
Nicole and myself will be continuing to talk to people over the next few days so we’ll bring you more thoughts from these very advanced web users as we go.
to me, both mid and umpc is trying to find its niche.
if one is much on the go, why dont pack a 12″ laptop with proper keyboard? it will probably not add much to the baggage after all. altho maybe if the umpcs people see are the likes of the fujitsu convertible, it would make more sense to them. i think even you will agree that a thumbs only keyboard is not one for longer articles?
then there is the issue of juggling multiple devices. the topic of why nokia didnt put a wwan radio into their tablets is a repeated one in the community, and it leaves me with the impression that most people dont want to carry around a bag full of devices. and a mid becomes a bit to big to be a mobile phone, no?
whats the saying? neither fish nor fowl?
New article: Finding customers at MBC09 http://bit.ly/cM5PqD