The next big thing: Smartbooks

BY KENNY CHEE

THE line between smartphones and netbooks is blurring, with more products such as tablet computers
and mini netbook-like devices hitting shelves. These gadgets are in a class of their own, with industry players dubbing them mobile Internet devices or smartbooks.

Last month, Sony unveiled in Singapore an update of its compact Wi-Fi-capable Vaio P, but with new, decidedly phone-like features.

The original Vaio P was already treading the line between phones and netbooks, with its 8-inch screen and keyboard (netbooks typically have 10-inch screens, while many smartphone screens measure fewer
than 5 inches).

But the latest Vaio P moved closer to smartphones, with an accelerometer that allows it to reorientate its screen display when you tilt it. You can also browse documents and photos by flicking it.

With the mouse trackpad and buttons found on both sides of the screen, you can hold the device with both hands, like a smartphone, to use it.

Sony is not the only one catching on to the market. Last December, Fujitsu launched a mobile Internet device with a keyboard that could log on to 3G networks. It is so small that it can fit comfortably into a handbag.

Apple’s iPad, which will be launched next month in Singapore, also falls into this category. The tablet, marketed as an e-reader, lacks a physical keyboard but has a 9.7-inch touchscreen and can be used to surf
the Web.

There are no commonly agreed-upon definitions as to what exactly is a mobile Internet device. Some will say that it is anything portable that can log on to 3G networks, so this includes smartphones, netbooks,
tablets and anything in between.

Others will say it is a tablet or netbook-like device that must have smartphone components. But what is certain is that there is growth potential for this group of gadgets.

According to market-research firm IDC, the number of global users that accessed the Internet through mobile devices was 450 million last year. This number is expected to double by 2013, because of the popularity
and affordability of mobile phones and other wireless gadgets.

Home-grown firm McCoy, which sells digital lifestyle products, said its Viliv mobile Internet device sales increased by 10 per cent this year compared to last year’s, because of rising product awareness and greater
consumer tech-savviness.

Mr Marc Einstein, an industry manager for market-research firm Frost & Sullivan, said that mobile Internet devices received mixed reactions in the past, but that the release of the iPad is raising interest in theproduct class from both consumersand tech companies.

While he saw more potential for tablet-related devices, Mr Einstein said there could be a positive spillover effect for netbook- like mobile Internet devices.

Tech firms my paper spoke to said they saw a market gap to be filled, where consumers wanted a device between smartphones and netbooks.

Sony believes that consumers will always require a PC on the go, but mobile phones cannot replace notebooks in terms of performance, despite Internet capabilities. Hence, its spokesman said that its Vaio P products fill the gap as a pocket PC with full-fledged notebook features.

Fujitsu said that mobile Internet devices continue to be one of the gadgets that the industry is focused on right now, against a backdrop of wireless and cloud computing.

It added that improvements in the devices would also be fuelled by better and cheaper Internet data plans.

For iKnow, it sees growth in mobile Internet devices with more 3G-enabled gadgets, especially in the second half of the year, and is forming its business plans accordingly.

Check out the devices below – some of which can be bought at The PC Show this weekend at Suntec Singapore.
kennyc@sph.com.sg

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