The long-fabled
original Windows Mobile-based Treo-killer, the
BenQ P50 (pictured
above), has long passed its zenith in being lusted after, and was since given up upon and eventually more or less
forgotten. So yeah, you could say it comes as some small surprise to us that BenQ is resurrecting the vaporous handset
with Windows Mobile 5.0, and even throwing an integrated GPS receiver into the mix. They haven't given any further
information than that as of yet, so while we understand the integrated WiFi is still intact, we don't know if it's
still got the SDIO slot. But ultimately we're hoping for a few things here: namely that this handset won't cost more
than $800 (though we have a sneaking suspicion it may), that they'll have finally added at least EDGE, and that, you
know, they actually
release it this time. Just a thought.
[Thanks,
Dave]
Update: Engadget Mobile's got
some more deets for ya, if you
want 'em. For example, the SDIO's still there, huzzah.
posted Mar 8th 2006 8:14AM
pictures here
http://www.benqmobile.com/cds/frontdoor/0,2241,hq_en_0_138897_rArNrNrNrN,00.html
maybe Engadget should READ the articles it pilfers, this device clearly has an SDIO slot, it's mentioned twice in the rundown.
Who's going to invest close to a thousand dollars in a Pocket PC that lacks HSDPA? It's scheduled for rerlease in June. By then HSDPA and UMTS would have covered most major cities. So what's the point of releasing it with EDGE or GPRS (the article doesn't specify).
Benq "Siemens" is this the Fujitsu Siemens' T830 little brother?
anyone else notice in the photo he's using a pen rather than the stylus?
Hey! The P50 is not vapourware, I got one and its a stunning piece of technology.....
HAHAHAHAHAH, seriously though now I'm thinking about a Symbian OS, not impressed with Windows mobile, the P50 is nice. No speakerphone though. :(
to #5:
It's one of those multi-pen-in-one thingy. It comes with pen/pencil... and you guessed it, a plastic/nylon tip as a stylus.
Integrated GPS receiver... Nice!
I wonder how sensitive it is.
New press release today just on the P51 that confirms some more specifications and states a July 2006 release:
http://www.davespda.com/pr/benq030806.htm
It looks like it might be interesting. However, the "Treo-killer" title kind of jinxes it, in my opinion. Typically, when something is billed as a "killer" of a particular product, it means that the dominant product would "die" of boredom or old age as a result of waiting so long for its "killer" to see release.
My thinking is that devices like P51 could be the Origami killers. If I had this with me would I carry an MS handheld with me at the same time - most likely NOT. Other models with built in HDD and even more connectivity could do the trick.
For a device to be "Treo killer" it should be used without a stylus just with your thumb. As far as I know, all the Sybian and Windows based smartphones and pda lack this quality. This seems a small detail and can not be mentioned on the product specs but extremely important when you actualy use the device. It is also sad to see that you can not correct a typo or the order of a slide in a power point file and mail it your collague before a client meeting:(