When Hong Kong-based Eston Technology Limited lost its first-generation MID (mobile Internet device) prototype to theft, it created a new one that added Android support. The MID-02 reportedly includes a 624MHz Marvell PXA300 CPU, a 4.3-inch touchscreen display, WiFi, and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.

Eston's original MID-01 made a brief debut at April's Hong Kong Electronics Fair, but was quickly stolen from the company's booth, according to the Pocketables website. The company then apparently went back to the drawing board, creating an enhanced version, the MID-02. Where the MID-01 ran only Windows CE 6.0 and had a 480 x 272 pixel display, the MID-02 has an 800 x 480 display and is capable of running Android, as well, reports say.

Eston hasn't posted information about the MID-02 on its own website, but some details of the device have appeared on GlobalSources.com, which appears to be a site designed to publicize OEM manufacturers to potential customers. Describing itself as an OEM and ODM manufacturer, Eston has previously produced a variety of Bluetooth headsets, digital photo frames, voice recorders, and PMPs (portable media players).

Eston's MID-02

According to GlobalSources.com, the MID-02 has a 4.3-inch touchscreen display with 800 x 480 resolution, plus a slide-out QWERTY keyboard (above). The device is said to feature a 624MHz Marvell PXA300 processor, an unspecified amount of memory, and an SDHC-compatible expansion slot.

The MID-02 also features 802.11a/b/g wireless networking, a USB 2.0 port, a mono speaker, and a stereo headphone jack, GlobalSources says. The MID is described as "dual-OS," but there's no word on whether customers must select either an Android or Windows CE version in advance, or will get a single device that may be booted into either OS at will.

Presumably referring to the Windows CE environment, GlobalSources says the MID-02 offers Internet Explorer, Skype, MSN and ICQ instant-messaging clients, and an electronic dictionary. The device is said to play back video in MPEG1/2/4, ASF, DivX 3.1/4/5, XviD, AVI, and RM/RMVB formats, and to play back music in MP3 and WMA formats.

Features and specifications listed for Eston's MID-02 by GlobalSources include the following:

• Processor — Marvell PXA300 clocked at 624MHz
• Memory — n/s
• Display — 4.3-inch touchscreen with 800 x 480 pixel resolution
• Keyboard — Slide out QWERTY keyboard
• Wireless — 802.11a/b/g
• Other I/O:
  • USB 2.0
  • Headphone jack
• Battery type/life — n/s
• Dimensions — n/s
• Weight — n/s

Availability

GlobalSources provided no pricing or availability information for Eston's MID-02, but the product page, here, suggests that the manufacturer is currently looking for minimum orders of 1,000 pieces.

Background information on Eston itself may be found on the company's website, here.

A Pocketables item referencing both Eston's MID-02 and the theft of its MID-01 predecessor can be found here.

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