Intel, Giga-byte and Chunghwa team up on Linux MID

INTEL HAS TEAMED UP with Taiwanese mobile service provider, Chunghwa Telecom, to launch a Giga-byte Technology, Atom-powered, M528 mobile Internet device (MID).

The M528, which sports a Linux OS, a 4.8-inch touchscreen, QWERTY keypad and 4G byte solid state drive (SSD), will be shown off at a December 6th electronics show in Taipei before hitting shelves in Taiwan from December 22nd. Weighing in at only 340 grams and measuring up at 152 millimeters by 80mm by 22.5mm, it is one of only a handful of devices launched so far to include an 800Mhz Intel Atom Z500 microprocessor.

The MID, which purportedly spent 10 months in development, will go for $386 with a two year service plan or $585 without a contract.

Despite the high price, Chunghwa is hoping people will find the promise of high-speed wireless Internet connectivity in their pockets irresistible, with the M528’s built-in Wi-Fi 802.11b/g wireless and 3.5G card for HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) wireless connections via Chunghwa's mobile phone network.

As well as being able to transfer files wirelessly via Bluetooth 2.0, the M528 also boasts an onboard 3MP auto-focus camera, a 300k Web cam for video chat and slots for data cards, an earphone and USB.

But the M528 will not be the only fish in the Taiwanese pond, with BenQ also announcing an 800MHz Atom based MID coming soon and with Chunghwa also launching the Iphone next month. µ