Compal cutting back R&D for MIDs
updated 04:25 pm EDT, Wed April 22, 2009
Compal scaling back MIDs
DigiTimes reported on Wednesday that Compal Electronics reduced the budget and other resources for mobile Internet devices (MIDs) as the company believes the future of the market segment is uncertain. The report cites unnamed industry sources for the information, and Compal itself has confirmed that some of its MID focus was shifted into netbook development. It will continue to ship MIDs in smaller volumes.
Other companies, including Quanta Computer, Universal Scientific Industrial (USI), ASUS, MSI and Gigabyte, are also cautious about the growth of the MID market, the same industry sources indicate.
Compal is among Intel's partners in the MID segment, and the company builds the Gigabyte M528 MID and My PC Pocket French telecom provider SFR.
Intel is currently working with partners on developing the next-generation MIDs based on the chipmaker's Moorestown platform. Korea's LG has already committed to the new Intel platform, with more expected to come in the future.
