In another eXpansys-related mail, I just wanted to quickly highlight a cracking deal they have on the BenQ E72 Windows Mobile smartphone – now we are not talking cutting edge here, but what we are talking is a capable device, running an O/S that lets the mobile device connect very nicely with your PC. If you are on a budget and still require smartphone features, this could be the device for you:

This is the eXpansys Deal of the Week, so best shuffle your browser over to the site before the deal ends! Oh, and one very important point – the price! All you are going to pay is £84.99 for the duration that the offer is on! Bargain!

BenQ, who has traditionally stuck to Windows Mobile for their higher-end phones, will be climbing aboard the Android bus soon. They should have something in the market in 2010, alongside an Android-packing netbook, although specs and specific release dates are nonexistant. BenQ makes decent-looking phones, so at very least we can expect an attractive package for their Android phone.

[via MacWorld]

The BenQ S6 Mobile Internet Device

I don’t mean that BenQ used a person called Tim to launch the S6 (though they may have had someone of that name working on the launch), no, no, no – BenQ have launched the Mobile Internet Device called the S6 with Italian Operator TIM!

There is an Intel Atom processor inside, along with 4.8″ screen, and 370g of weight to account for. 3.5G and WLAN radios are onboard for InterWeb access, and Bluetooth even makes an appearance!

Apparently the cost will be 429 EUR, which isn’t too harsh, although it is going to have to compete with the increasingly popular netbooks at that price point.

You can check out BenQ’s info on the S6 here.

[Via: Telecom Paper]

My favourite online shop, Expansys, have emailed to let me know that I can know pick up a WinMo 6 O/S Smartphone for under a ton! Yes, just less than 100 GBP (exc. postage) will see this little beauty making it’s way in to your ownership… highlighted features are:

• Operating System Windows Mobile™ 6 standard
• Integrated camera 2.0 megapixels
• Display 240X320, 2″ , 65K color TFT LCD
• Video Functions : MPEG4, WMV, H.264 , 3GP Both recording and playback
• Audio Functions : MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, AAC+ Music background playing
• Messaging : SMS, MMS, Email, MSN, Mundu IM
• WLAN 802.11b/g
• Bluetooth® 2.0
• USB 2.0
• Internal memory: 128MB Flash ROM + 64MB DDR RAM
• Extended memory: microSD™ Card supported up to 2GB
• Weight 90g

In a period where we are all tightening our belts, you could do a lot worse than this – if you fancy a piece of BenQ pie, then visit Expansys here.

BenQ has announced a new phone in Taiwan. The E55 supersedes the earlier E53 model, and is positioned as a low-to-mid range 3G phone. Specs wise, the stylish candybar sports two cameras (2 megapixel for photo taking and a VGA camera for video calls), 2-inch 176×220 pixels screen, small external screen (96×64 pixels), media player, FM radio, Bluetooth, microSD memory expansion slot, and a 900 mAh Li-Ion battery. Size wise, the device measures 94×48x19 mm and has a weight of 95 grams.

And that’s about it. We could also add the E55 has quite large buttons that make the device easy to use. It should be available from the end of July for around $230.

[Via: slashphone]

Here’s a phone for those of you that don’t care much about the features, but are looking for a stylish handset that can also work as an MP3 player. The BenQ C36 is a simple music phone, boasting such specs as 1.3 megapixel camera that can also work as a webcam when connected to a PC, FM radio, 2-inch color screen, microSD memory slot, and a battery that promises to deliver up to 2.4 hours of talk and 180 hours of standby time.

Aside from the standard calculator, address book and other regular mobile apps – pre-installed software includes voice notes as well as the neat “Health management” application, which reportedly should help users stay fit on-the-go. As for the availability, the BenQ C36 is scheduled to hit Indonesia later this month, with other countries to follow in the near future. No word on pricing, though.

[Via: Gizmodo]

With devices like the T60 phone pictured on the right, Taiwan-based BenQ may be onto something. At just 8.9mm it’s one of the slimmest candybars available on the market. As a heavy smartphone user, I’m sad to report it’s a simple feature phone that I probably won’t use, like ever. However, some other people that don’t want much from their handsets may find the device appealing. The 3.2 megapixel camera is on board, and so is the media player, stereo Bluetooth support, microSD slot, blacklist functionality (very cool), remote control (AVRCP) support. The QVGA screen measures at 2.2 inches and the battery provides users with up to 3 hours of talk and 200 hours of standby time. Guess they had to cut on battery life in order to keep the device super slim. Again, I like it, but I want it to run some mobile OS…

[Via: MobileWhack]

BenQ Siemens churned out some interesting handsets in their final days as a legit manufacturer. One of our favorites was the BenQ Siemens SL98 reverse slider – rather than sliding the screen upwards to reveals a keypad (like the more traditional sliders that we’ve seen), the screen pops up out of the body.

Now, you won’t be able to grab a BenQ Siemens phone from the defunct company, but this here BenQ Siemens SL98 popped up on eBay’s German site. The auction has, sadly, already ended – but it’s nice to see that the prototype will live on and carry the BenQ Siemen legacy into the future.

Aside from the unique form-factor, the BenQ Siemens packed in a lowly  a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, microSD card slot, and QVGA display – so there isn’t much to be desired. Still, it would have been cool to have show off this one-of-a-kind handset at our next office Holiday-party.

[Via: Unwired View]

Water and dust. Two things you just don’t want to have getting inside your mobile phone. Weekend warriors will be happy to hear that the new BenQ M7 will put up with their water-borne and dust-filled hijinx in stride. The BenQ M7 features a 2 megapixel camera, forward-facing video-call camera, GPS, tri-band GSM radio with 2100Mhz UMTS, Bluetooth, and a GPS module – all packed into a package that BenQ says is resistant to dust and water.

Now, we’re sure this thing won’t make it through a sand-blaster or a dunk in a swimming pool, but the occasional splash or roll in the dirt shouldn’t be a problem. With a built-in GPS module and resistance to dust and water, it seems that this mid-range (it has GPS, afterall) BenQ M7 is going for the “sporty” crowd. We guess that carbon fiber-esque (read: fake) front-face is supposed to appeal to this demographic.

Pricing and availability are not yet known.

[Via: Mobile Whack]

Here’s a decent phone for all you guys and gals looking for a not-that-expensive handset that can also work as a music player. Aside from the mentioned music player that supports MP3, AAC, and AAC+ files – the BenQ T33 also boasts an FM radio, dedicated external music control keys and an ability to display lyrics for those who want to sing along. In addition, BenQ made sure music playback works even if there’s no SIM card inserted.

Other specs include 2 MP camera that can take both photos and videos, as well as the standard microSD memory expansion slot. We’ve no idea how much the BenQ T33 will cost (although we’re quite certain it won’t cost much), nor when and/or where it will be available…

[Via: FarEastGizmos]