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BenQ's MID gets official-er, can be shaken like a martini
You might remember that little BenQ MID prototype which was doing the rounds at IDF and CES. Well, it looks like the folks at HQ have decided to get all official with the newly-repainted gadget -- creatively dubbed the BenQ Mobile Internet Device -- during another three letter party, MWC. According to the press release, the unit boasts a 4.8-inch touchscreen, 0.3-megapixel webcam, and "high-speed mobile internet access." Interestingly, the company appears to be aiming for some fancy-shmancy gesture input, like sliding finger movements and the ability to shake the device to minimize windows -- a feature which should notably increase the numbers of these which get thrown across a room. BenQ still hasn't given any release date or expected price on the Menlow-based device, so don't start any breath-holding competitions just yet. There's one more press image after the break, if you haven't seen enough (and we suspect you haven't).[Via jkkmobile]
BenQ's emaciated 8 megapixel DSC X800: just barely three-dimensional
It may not be the biggest name in consumer electronics, but when it comes to stuffing megapixels into ridiculously-skinny packages, there aren't many out there who do it better than BenQ. Case in point is the new eight megapixel DSC X800, which, at just 9.8 millimeters at its thinnest point (14mm at its fattest), is not only slimmer than the recently-announced DC X835, it even gives the company's trimmest seven megapixel shooter, the 12.5-millimeter DC X725, a run for its money. Besides its pocketability, however, this model doesn't offer much in the way of high-end features: 3x optical zoom, 3-inch LCD, digital image stabilization, VGA movie mode, and a rather non-standard microSD slot are par for the course here. Keep reading after the break for another angle / color combo of the as-yet-unpriced shooter, which should be shipping sometime this quarter.[Via Slashgear]
BenQ intros CP220c projector in Middle East
BenQ's been loosing mediocre DLP projectors overseas for some time now, and the latest yawner is heading straight to the Middle East. The CP220c features a way-below-par 1,024 x 768 resolution, 2,000 ANSI lumens, 700:1 contrast ratio, VGA / component / S-Video / composite inputs and a built-in mono speaker. Additionally, the unit weighs in at just 3.9-pounds, sports a Carl Zeiss lens and includes real-time automatic keystone adjustment. If you've managed to make it this far, you'll likely be disappointed to find that pricing deets are still a mystery though the PJ should be available now.
BenQ launching its first MID at CES 2008
It looks like Lenovo isn't the only gang of techno-hooligans launching an MID this year at CES -- word on the street (and in official PR) is that BenQ's entry to the relatively new category will be making a showing before you know it. According to the company, the device -- which we're thinking is going to be the purple number we saw Intel demoing back at its Developer Forum in September -- will feature a 4.8-inch display, WiFi, 3.5G (such as HSUPA), and will be driven by (surprise!) Intel's Menlow platform. The device will apparently consume less power than a UMPC (as expected), and will carry a price tag that will likely bend closer to a smartphone than a laptop. Info is scarce right now, but we suspect all will be deliciously revealed this week -- stay logged in.
BenQ unveils the Joybook Q41 SideShow-equipped laptop
There's not a big pack of SideShow laptops out there, but BenQ's leapt to the front with the 14.1-inch Joybook Q41, which adds Skype support to Microsoft's under-utilized auxiliary display tech. In addition to the usual RSS, email, and media controls, you can make and receive Skype calls from the 2.5-inch SideShow screen without having to open and fully boot the machine, which runs an unspecified Core 2 Duo. No word on pricing or availability, but honestly -- isn't it time we saw way more SideShow-equipped machines?[Via Laptops Blog]
BenQ's DC-X835 sneaky 8 megapixel anti-shaker
BenQ is back with another digital snapper ready for action during the holidays. At least we think so -- no price or availability were announced. Nevertheless, the DC-X835 is an 8 megapixel version of their DC-X735 slimster. As such, you're looking at a 3x smc Pentax optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, and a "unique" Super Shake Free mode. So unique they can't tell us whether it's optical, mechanical, digital, or what. VGA video in MPEG-4 at 30fps in a 12.5~14.7-mm thin take anywhere camera with SDHC storage closes things out. [Via Lets Go Digital]
BenQ Siemens' crazy SL98 reverse slider shows up on eBay
Remember this little gem? We're pretty sure the SL98 "reverse slider" went the same way as BenQ Siemens itself -- south, that is -- but there's been at least one more chance here to get in on one of the world's most bizarre form factors. eBay's German outpost recently turned up a listing for an SL98 prototype with a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, microSD slot, and QVGA display -- and while we don't know if we trust the mechanism to work flawlessly on some funky early hand-built handset, how the heck else are you going to get one? Sadly, the auction has already ended -- but maybe, if you're really lucky, the buyer will relist with a premium tacked on.[Via Unwired View and gizmos.es]
BenQ announces SP870 business projector
BenQ has announced a new projector designed for big conference rooms in the German and European markets. The SP870 is a 1,024 x 768-native DLP sporting 5,000 lumens and a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, with a 33-36 dB noise range and DVI and VGA inputs. The 10.8-pound projector will sell for 2,999 Euros ($4,390), with no release date set.
BenQ rolls out X-series LCDs aimed at gamers
Gamers looking for an "Xtreme" display to go along with their array other Xtreme gear now have a couple of new options to consider from BenQ, which just announced its new line of X-series LCDs. On the top of the heap is the 22-inch X2200W, which boasts a 1680 x 1050 resolution, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, an 8 ms "Motion Picture Response Time" (or 2 ms gray-to-gray response), an HDMI port and, perhaps most notably, a 92% color gamut. Moving on down the line, the 20-inch X2000W will give you pretty much all the same specs (minus the 92% color gamut) in a slightly smaller package, while 19-inch X900W and X900 knock things back even further with 1440 x 900 and 1280 x 1024 resolutions, respectively, plus an 800:1 contrast ratio, and DVI and VGA ports, but no HDMI. From the looks of it, however, only the X900W has a firm US release date (this month), with the X2000W and X2200W each making their way to China and "select countries across Asia Pacific and Europe," and the X900 headed to Europe only, also this month. [Via Electronista]
BenQ intros MP511+ DLP projector in Indian market
BenQ's MP511+ isn't the swankiest of PJs, but it should do just fine in the average boardroom, classroom or living area. The DLP projector sports an SVGA (800 x 600) native resolution, 2000:1 contrast ratio, 2,100 ANSI lumens, BrilliantColor technology, VGA / component / S-Video / composite inputs and the ability to "adjust red, green, blue, cyan, magenta and yellow independently for hue, saturation and value." Additionally, this unit boasts a wall color correction feature that enables you to satisfactorily view content sans a white wall, and it shouldn't whir above 32dB while in operation. Considering the ho hum list of amenities, the Rs 31,499 price tag seems about right (if not a touch high), and apparently, you can snatch this up in the States for around $619 if it tickles your fancy.[Via AboutProjectors, image courtesy of BenQ]
BenQ intros the Joybook R43 laptop
We know what you're thinking: "Hey, hasn't BenQ gotten a name change?" Well guess what, cowboy? Not for laptops. In fact, the multi-named, electronics-making creature-thing has just introduced a new model into its Joybook laptop lineup, the R43. The system sports a 14.1-inch "UltraVivid" WXGA display, an Intel 1.8GHz Core 2 Duo CPU, up to 2GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, an SiS Mirage 3+ GPU, and all with WiFi and Bluetooth you could possibly need. Of course -- more importantly than specs -- the laptop features a stylized, abstract case design guaranteed to make the ladies want you and the men want to be you... or, vice versa. The R43 will be available in China in December, with a rollout in other countries "in the coming months."
BenQ launches splash and dust resistant M7
While BenQ's M7 may not be quite jump up and down thrilling, but its dustproof, splash-resistant body is strangely intriguing. Featuring a -- faux? -- carbon fiber front, tri-band GSM with 2100 MHz UMTS, GPS, 2 megapixel camera plus forward facing VGA cam for video calling, and Bluetooth round out the main features. No word on pricing -- and we ran it past our best translator -- but we're expecting entry level dollars will see this feature-packed handset in your pocket.[Via Mobilewhack]
BenQ unveils the MP771 short-throw XGA projector
BenQ certainly loves to crank out the projectors, and the company's latest, the MP771, features a short-throw lens that's able to put up a 74-inch picture from just a meter away. The 1024 x 768-res unit puts 3000 lumens of shine behind your content with a 2000:1 contrast ratio and BenQ's UNISHAPE variable-brightness lamp tech, which varys the brightness of the lamp in sync with the DLP mirrors and color wheel, resulting in a 40% boost in brightness. Input include VGA, DVI-D with HDCP, S-video and composite, and BenQ says the wall-color correction system will put up an accurate picture on non-white walls with a minimum of fuss. No word on pricing just yet, but we should be seeing these hit in November.[Via About Projectors]
BenQ T33 avoids brick status, offers music without a SIM
GSM handsets have a nasty tendency to become paperweights (albeit paperweights that can place calls to 911) when they find themselves missing nothing more than a thumbnail-sized piece of plastic -- the almighty SIM card. Ten years ago, that was a fair proposition since phones didn't do much besides make calls, and you need a subscriber identity to do much of that anyway. Fast forward to 2007, though, and phones do a heck of a lot more than call, so why do we still get so much hate when we power on our 'sets without SIMs? BenQ feels your pain, showing its T33 slider -- an all-around midrange musicphone, but the money feature here is that you can pull the SIM and let it function as a music player alone. Other goodies include a 2 megapixel cam, stereo Bluetooth, 220 x 176 display, FM radio, and the obligatory microSD slot. The keypad looks like a nightmare to use, but considering that BenQ's North American handset presence amounts to a big, fat goose egg, we're not too fired up about it.[Via Fareastgizmos]
Nokia and others launching "iPhone-like" gear by Q2 2008?
Taiwan's OEM reporting pulse -- DigiTimes -- claims that handset makers Asustek, BenQ, Compal and Arima Communications are all "aggressively developing iPhone-like products" for 2008. According to their sources, the devices will run on Microsoft's Windows Mobile platform and target business markets with features such as 3G and GPS. DigiTimes' sources also claim that Nokia will release its Symbian-based "iPhone-like handset" in the first half of 2008. True or not, that's a lot of Apple hate-bait to swallow this early in the morning.
BenQ rolls out multimedia-centric C30 handset
Looking to give candybar (the style, not the food) lovers something new to chew on, BenQ has unveiled the C30 multimedia phone. The GSM handset boasts up to four hours of talk time (250 hours on standby), an integrated camera, a 1.8-inch 160 x 128 resolution display, movie clip recording functionality, support for MP3 / AAC / WAV formats, an FM radio, and a microSD slot for loading up your tunes. No word yet on pricing or availability, but it shouldn't demand too terribly much. Click on for a couple of closeups.
BenQ intros the DC-X735 ultra-slim camera
BenQ has been firing on all cylinders lately, dropping more projectors, cameras, and Intel-based MIDs then you can shake a stick at (trust us, we've tried to shake a variety of sticks at them). Joining the fold today is the DC-X735 compact digital camera, a sleek little shooter which looks conspicuously similar to the company's recently release T800. Regardless, the 7.2-megapixel camera does it up with a 2.5-inch LCD display, 3 x zoom (4 x on the digital side), ISO to 6400 (in Movie Mode), MPEG4 video recording, and an SDHC slot for up to 4GBs of storage. The camera comes in "Vixen-red" or "Midnight-black" paint jobs, so you can match it to your handbag (provided your color schemes are based on The Masquerade), and will be available this month for an indeterminate amount of cold, hard cash.[Via PhotographyBLOG]
BenQ debuts super-slim DC-T800 8 megapixel fashioncam
BenQ's really pulling out all the stops with its new DC-T800 camera, a followup to that T700 camera it was showing off in March. The T800 adds an extra megapixel... and not a whole lot else. In its defense, the T700 was already a pretty well appointed camera, with a 3-inch touchscreen and "super shake-free" functionality, and there's nothing wrong with adding a megapixel to that 0.59-inch thick getup. The T800 also boasts of Face Tracking, in-camera photo editing, 2000 ISO photos, 6400 ISO movies and 30fps 640 x 480 MPEG-4 recording. You should be able to find the T800 just about everywhere that isn't the US sometime in October.[Via LetsGoDigital]
BenQ rolls out MP612 / MP612c projectors for the office, classroom
We suppose a pair of higher-end business projectors just weren't enough for one day, so BenQ has apparently decided to offer up even more options for those satisfied with an 800 x 600 (SVGA) resolution. Sure, the MP612 and MP612c both sport a less than flattering native res, but they do offer up a 2,000:1 contrast ratio and 2,500 / 2,200 ANSI lumens, respectively. These DLP units also boast a lamp that lasts some 4,000 hours when used in economy mode, and the whisper quiet operation should prevent you from having to yell over it when brushing over those mid-term review slides. As for inputs, you'll find VGA in / out, S-Video, composite and a stereo mini jack, and the built-in speakers remove the need for external drivers to hear those oh-so-necessary blips and bleeps. No word on pricing just yet, but the duo should be available worldwide later this month.
BenQ launches uber-quiet MP622 / MP622c projectors
Although BenQ prefers to market its MP622 and MP622c projectors to the suits, we see no reason these bad boys can't be carted home after the nine-to-five for a little fun. Both DLP units sport a 1,024 x 768 (XGA) resolution, a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, ultra-quiet 26dB noise level whilst running in economy mode, and a sexy "midnight black high gloss exterior." The MP622 offers up 2,700 ANSI lumens while the MP622c musters just 2,200, but you'll find VGA / S-Video / composite video inputs on each to compliment the audio in jack and integrated speakers. Word on the street puts these two units on store shelves later this month, with the MP622 ringing up at around $999 and the MP622c costing $849.[Via FarEastGizmos]
