Yesterday I asked for input on the French SFR-version of the Compal MID. It turns out (thanks, everyone, for the feeback) that it’s provider locked but there’s no contract commitment. For the French, it’s a deal!
The Italians have their own option in the IDOL that is offered through TIM, one of the local mobile Telco’s.
There’s a nice thread in the forum where IDOL users are getting together to chat about the device but it’s worth highlighting a few things. Firstly, it’s unlocked, has Italian, Chinese and English language support and is available without contract commitment for a very nice 430 Euros. That’s a 3G-enabled pocketable Linux PC for 430 Euros. Undeniably good value…if you’re living in Italy.
The software stack looks the same as I’ve seen on the Aigo MID. That is, slightly ‘thin’ with no Skype application (available as a download / hack now) no GPS application and the Coolfox version of the FF3-based browser but there are signs of improvement on that.
In battery life tests by Rapael (who is logging everything on a new blog) it’s looking like 2hrs Wifi-connected and 4hrs with screen off. In my own tests I’ve seen 3.5hrs screen-off (wifi off) and up to 2.5hrs with screen on but I’ll be honest, in a real-world situation (for example at MBC09 last week) the battery life was closer to 2hrs than 2.5 but this limitation is slightly relieved by the fact that the batteries are tiny and carrying a spare (assuming you can buy one for a good price) isn’t a problem at all.
The Aigo/Compal/IDOL/MiPC is one of the best choices at the moment for a pro-level web, pocketable experience. It’s fast (12-13 seconds per page average full-load time compared to over 20 seconds for smartphones) and light. Video support is good and if you’re the type that likes to tinker, there’s a great community building out there that will help you with alternative Lunux and XP builds. Compal really need to push this out in more places an start distributing better software to grow awareness of this great little device.
If you’re not lucky enough to live in Italy or France. Here are your options.
1) Aigo P8860 (without 3G, white) is available globally.
2) Aigo P8888w (with UMTS 3G, black) is available globally.
3) Gigabyte M528 is available from Expansys (although it’s not showing today) and Mobilx.
If you’re prepared to wait and see what an XP version looks like and you’re in the US, keep an eye on the NoteMagix from Velocity Micro.
I’m living living with a borrowed Compal MID from the MID Moves tour but when that and the Wibrain i1 goes back (thanks Mobilx,for the loan) , i’m going to be lost. The Compal MID is at the top of my list with the Viliv S5 and UMID. In two-weeks I’ll be looking to make a decision one of those three devices in order to have it with me for CeBIT in March.
Italian IDOL-dedicated Blog: Il Blog dedicato al MID IDOL di Tim.
