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March 31, 2006

iPhone rumors widespread among Taiwanese Manufacturers

For quite a while now, several mobile rumors have been spreading here and there about Apple's plans of making an iPhone. Recently, however, it was revealed that they weren't just rumors but actual plans indeed and that the company is already working on such a device.

According to a report published in the Australian gadget magazine, SmartHouse, some insiders working at the Taiwanese phone maker BenQ have confirmed Apple's intentions and that this gadget will most likely be available in the next few months.

"An iPod phone is definitely coming. BenQ will not be making it as we are in competition with Apple, however, several of our suppliers have been approached to manufacture parts. Among manufacturers in Taiwan it is common knowledge. The issue for many is the availabilty of parts if the phone takes off" -- an executive stated.

Speculations about the release of the famed iPhone still vary depending on what business analyst you talk to. J.P Morgan thinks that Apple will launch the new mobile by 4Q, 2006; while Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster says that there is a 75% chance that the iPhone will be ready within the next year.

Regardless of any release date, the phone is sure to be a hit no matter what form it comes in -- or when it finally arrives.

March 09, 2006

BenQ P51 unveiled

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BenQ Mobile has unveiled several new cellphones at CeBIT, including the P51. This handy mobile scoop has been launched with Windows Mobile 5.0 powered handset, reminiscent of the recently launched Treo 700w smartphone that Verizon carries.

BenQ P51 specs include:
Quad GSM
Bluetooth Wireless
WiFi support (WLAN 802.11b/g) for Skype calls
QVGA screen display with 65k colors
128MB flash memory
QWERTY keyboard for easy E-mailing
Music Player (MP3, AAC, AAC+) with 3D sound
1.3MP Camera and Video (H264, MPEG4)
SDIO slot

BenQ Mobile has not revealed the details on whether this phone will be preloaded with Google, but users should have the option either way. We are anticipating that the BenQ P51 will have a July 2006 manufacturer release date. No word yet on tmobile rebates or other carrier pricing model incentives.

BenQ Mobile phones and Google hookup

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CeBIT [2006] -- BenQ Mobile has announced today at the technology fair in Hanover that along with the 6 new phone models being unveiled (12 total this year) they have also struck a deal to preload Google software.

Google has been on a deal frenzy with handset manufacturers to propagate their proprietary mobile search technology. Google's mobile strategy is to beat out other search competitors like Yahoo's Go Mobile strategy and MSN with new services.

BenQ Mobile will make software upgrades available over the air, and handsets that start selling in April with have the Google software already loaded for local information search services.

BenQ took over the failing mobile phone business from German conglomerate Siemens last summer. It is now the world's sixth-biggest maker of mobile handsets, behind the likes of handset behemoths Nokia, Motorola and Samsung.

Last month at the 3GSM wireless trade show in Barcelona, BenQ Mobile said that it would also be the first to launch an HSDPA (high speed downlink packet access) phone. HSDPA will allow blazing fast high speed wireless Internet access and other mobile services at near broadband speeds.

March 08, 2006

BenQ announces 6 new phones at CeBIT

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CeBIT [2006] -- BenQ is not disappointing the critics with the new lineup of mobile phones that were unveiled at today's show. BenQ Mobile is committed to placing focus on multimedia and the new lineup will not disappoint.

BenQ's new lineup includes the handset models --EL71, C81, CF61, CL71, E61 and P51. All of these phones feature multimedia capabilities like MP3 and 3D surround sound -- which in 2006 has been the primary theme for handset manufacturers worldwide.

The BenQ P51 also brings to the table multimedia functionality on a smartphone. The P51 is loaded with Microsoft's Windows Mobile Mobile 5.0, Wireless-LAN and VoIP and an integrated GPS receiver. The GPS feature will offer a total navigation and communication solution, which demonstrates another focus area for BenQ Mobile’s growing portfolio.

No prices have yet been announced on the new lineup -- we will keep you posted when details are revealed.