Take a look at this picture. In it are the 14 mobile devices I’m taking to Mobile Dev Camp in Munich on Saturday. From a simple feature phone through to one of the bigger netbooks. 2” to 10” screens. Now try and categorise each device using the terms UMPC, UMD, Smartphone, Mobile Computer, MID, Tablet, Pad, Netbook, Mini Notebook, Microblogging device, Pocket PC or any other term that you care to come up with.

It’s impossible right?

The problem is that every time a mobile device is conceived, the marketing people have to carefully analyse where the device might fit in. The same is true of mobile software. What sort of device will the applications ‘fit’ on?

On Saturday at the Mobile Dev Camp in Munich I’ll be talking about the subject with a bunch of devs to  try and stimulate some discussion on the subject. Do we really believe that everything should be converged into a 24/7 pocketable device or are their opportunities to improve the experience for the customer and to break out into small, but significant, niches. Does everything hinge on the mobile OS and it’s success in primary markets?

I will be using the diagram I created in 2006 to highlight where I thought (and still think) the physical and design limits were for various mobile computing functions.

Click to enlarge.

For example, I don’t believe that Ebook reading, high quality web browsing, Web applications, 3D gaming or IPTV will work well on the 2”-4” sized devices and that if you really want high quality video playback, you’ll need a screen of 8” or above. Well that’s my thought anyway. The idea of my talk is to show people the devices and the diagram and to get their feedback so that this diagram can be optimised and re-published. Maybe it helps a mobile software developer somewhere.

If you’re free on Saturday and able to get to Munich, register and come along to MDC and join in the fun or If you’ve got some time on Friday evening, join me in the bar at the Bauer Hotel at 1900 where you’ll have a chance to get some hands-on with the devices. If you can’t make it, keep an eye on UMPCPortal and MIDMoves where I’ll be reporting on as much of MDC as I can.

P.S. Thanks to the Intel Insider program who are supporting me to get down to Munich for the event.

Mobile Dev Camp hits Munich on Saturday and thanks to Intel’s ‘Insider’ program I’ve been invited down to join in with the fun. MDC will be a day where mobile developers get the chance to talk about their favorite subjects, to present ideas and to meet others in the ‘ecosystem.’ Intel will be there along with Elektrobit, Daisho Blacksmith and Greenrobot along with around 100 developer-minded individuals. If it’s anything like MDC in Amsterdam, it will be a great day of learning and sharing.

I’ll be taking 13 mobile devices (it’s Halloween!) with me ranging from Series 40 through to Android, Maemo, Moblin and Windows and I’ll be offering a talk about mobile platforms and segmentation using the diagram on the right.

• Can a smartphone do everything? If not, what other devices are able to take the load in the mobile space?
• Is a 4” screen to big as an all-day device. Would you rather carry a small phone and a secondary (or tertiary) device?
• What’s the smallest size that works as a mobile desktop?
• How do battery life requirements affect the size of a device?
• How small can an Intel Moorestown / Medfield device be?

I’ll also give an update on Moorestown and the important features that bring it into the ‘all-day-on’ category. Attendees will also get a chance to have hands-on with devices like the Viliv S5, X70 and S7 along with the Archos Android Tablet and Nokia N900. I also have some goodies to give away which should secure at least a few attendees to my talk. The talk will be in ‘Denglisch’ so that should be a laugh too. Add the fact that I’ll probably be sampling the local beer in the Hotel Bauer (join me for a chance to play with some devices, 1900 in the Bar) on the night before and we’re set up for an interesting session! Hope to see you there.

I’ll try and knock up a video later showing all the devices I’ve got. I’ll also get some content out during the Friday and Saturday. (What else am I going to do on the 12-hour return train journey!)

If you want to go and haven’t registered, you still have time to sign-up here.