There was a lot of Intel MID (Mobile Internet Device) news and demos at CES back in January, but we are just now starting to see them become available. Jenn from Pocketables posted that the Aigo P8860D/Gigabyte M528 MID is now shipping from Japan for US$699 with free worldwide shipping. The device has been on ebay, but this is the first official reseller carrying the device. I haven’t read anywhere that other MID devices are coming soon with most speculation showing 2009 availability. With devices like the iPhone/iPod Touch and Nokia N810 I am not sure there is a real need for a device like these, but then again with Linux or Windows XP your browser experience should not be limited like it is on all of these existing handheld devices.

The specifications for the Aigo P8860D include:

• Atom Z500 Intel® Menlow platform with 800MHz Frequency
• 512 MB (DDR2) RAM
• 4GB SSD Storage +2GB TF card
• 4.8″ WVGA High resolution Touch Screen (800*480 pixels)
• 2700mAH 3.5 to 5.5 hrs
• WLAN: 802.11 b/g + Bluetooth 2.0 (with A2DP)
• 0.3 megapixel webcam
• 2 USB ports, audio port
• Size: 152×80x21.9mm
• Weight: 300 gr
• (OS): Linux OS MIDinux (Full english)

I understand that Windows XP drivers may be available in October as well.

Netbooks have full browser and cost less than or equal to what we see here with this first MID, however they are really not as pocketable as the MID devices look to be and are more of a laptop replacement. These MIDs take a form factor like the Nokia Internet Tablets and put a more powerful processor inside with a more powerful OS powering the experience.