MID market gears up for boom

Mobile internet device (MID) market is set for 50 per cent growth spurt by 2012, iSuppli predicts

The mobile internet device (MID) market is set to explode, according to market watcher iSuppli.

Global MID shipments are set to rise to 416 million units in 2012, rising at a compound annual growth rate of 50.6 per cent, eight times higher than the 53.8 million units shipped in 2007.

iSuppli defines MIDs as devices that have integrated connectivity for WLANs, wireless metropolitan area networks or 3G or higher worldwide wide area networks. This includes ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs), and some portable media players.

Francis Sideco, senior analyst, wireless communications for iSuppli, said: “The market for MIDs does not just reside in one big multi-purpose platform, but instead encompasses segments of various product markets including UMPCs, netbooks, smart phones, portable navigation devices, e-book readers and portable media players.

“Each MID device segment enjoys varying levels of penetration in the market, with smart phones leading the way, followed by e-book readers, and to a lesser extent, UMPCs and gaming devices,” he added. "People like MID functionality because it opens up services, applications, business models and cross-industry relationships that were never possible before."