EL SEGUNDO, CA — Global mobile internet device unit shipments expected to expand by nearly a factor of eight from 2007 to 2012, according to iSuppli Corp.

Shipments of MIDs, which include ultra-mobile PCs and certain portable media players, are set to rise to 416 million units in 2012, a CAGR of 50.6% from in 2007.

iSuppli defines MIDs as devices that have integrated connectivity for wireless LANs, wireless metropolitan area networks or 3G-or-higher worldwide WANS. They also must a maximum diagonal display of 8", an instant-on function, an always-connectable capability and a full day’s worth of battery life under typical usage scenarios.

Typical MIDs include netbooks, smartphones, portable navigation devices, e-book readers, portable media/MP3 players and handheld gaming devices.