Unfortunately, it’s not me!
At least two members of the forums here have received their M528′s. Nalim and Skypeone have both reported that they have received theirs from Expansys and a quick check with a contact at Expansys confirms that some back orders have shipped.
Who’s going to be first with pics and first impressions of this device? Guest posts welcome!
In related news, the TIM IDOL is now available in Italy. Thanks Smurf!
December 18th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
So what price did they pay? It’s changed a lot since the pre-order!
And where is mine? I ordered day one!
December 18th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Does anyone know if the mid from TIM is carrier locked? I have a friend in italy that could buy me one and send it to me, but if the 3g modem is locked…..
I know the OS is probably in italian.That wouldnt be a problem to me at all, but even because i plan to install xp it.
Keep us posted,
Joao.
fab Reply:
December 18th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
the TIM IDOL is NOT locked. but as much as i heard it comes with a TIM sim card, including 5 euros credit. though you can use any sim card.
…i was subscribed to TIM that they would advise me when it’s available…they didn’t…but it’s available!! i’m gonna get one immediately!
December 18th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Would be cool if they could test out if Mojocafe.net works on the devices
December 18th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
@joao
tim’s site reports no sim lock in the itelco idol if you pay it 449 €.
i’m going to see (and maybe purchase) it tomorrow.
i do like LG Xnote B831 on expansys.it, but it’s not in stock and seems like it has no gps
fab Reply:
December 18th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
mi raccomando… if you get it, post pics and vids and inform us about the OS…ehm..sorry to bother you, but some might be quite excited
December 18th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
In Expansys “UK (!) customers can expect shipment [of the m528] in 36 working days” – for 600 euro (!)
Do we live in the era of early steam engines or still horseback power? )))
fab Reply:
December 19th, 2008 at 7:44 am
good one…though meant is…IN 36 days…it’s not really taking 36 days to ship the items
December 19th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Was the manual (PDF) up there before too or?
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Notebook/Manual_Model.aspx?ProductID=2833
December 19th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Offical launch was posted on the 16th on their page:
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/News/Notebook/News_List.aspx?NewsID=1426
December 19th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Does the Gigabyte device come w/ working 3G for USA carrier (AT&T)?
December 20th, 2008 at 2:01 am
Hard to say, anyone opened their M528 yet?
The manual (I linked to above) only states:
“C. WWAN Chip antenna on board 3.5G, Mini card module”
December 20th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
http://209.85.135.132/search?q=cache:U7xthqy43PwJ:www.pressebox.de/pressemeldungen/option-nv/boxid-227245.html+alice+mobil+italia
“Italian operator offers Option-connected Mobile Internet Device
MID incorporating Option wireless module on sale in Italy as well as France”
smurf Reply:
December 20th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
or if google-cache did’nt work, use these direct link http://www.option.com/news/detail05.cfm?newsitemgroup_id=712
December 20th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Ok so it’s an OPTION module? But which model of theirs, they have a good number of cards AFAIK. I would expect current new devices to be USA 3G capable too but with the US having TWO (both being US exclusive) GSM 3G bands, who knows!?
December 27th, 2008 at 3:38 am
Hi,
I got MID 528 from Gigabyte 2 weeks ago. The OS is closed one and not able to install/uninstall any applications
I plan to remove the UME and install some linux MID distributions. Can you please give me an good alternate OS with availability of drivers?
my options are
….anybody know the download link 
)
LINPUS
MIDINUX (not available for download
UME
Thanks in advance,
Vinoth
fab Reply:
December 27th, 2008 at 9:43 am
i think today the way to go is GNU/LINUX on these devices, although honestly it might be quite a difficult task to “just” install any OS on these devices as they just left the bakery… me personally i would go for ubuntu mobile, not because it’s the best OS for the device, but because support and community is the biggest and you get the chance to get a problem resolved easier and quicker than with others – since you already found out that MIDINUX is not even available for download, imagine how long you wait for the resolution of an issue…
i would suggest you browse the ubuntuforums and mainly the ubuntu mobile section where you can download images of ubuntu mobile and install, ask for the latest images available and you can play around – this is actually a fun part of the entire thing. unless you are more the user and don’t care about installation etc.
i would say you start here http://www.ubuntu.com/products/mobile
and then you might find other info. also browse the forum here on umpcportal as some users already have this device and maybe can give you an image of their system..
have fun (i would love to be in your position
)