BenQ P50 Not Expected Until Next Year

There are several upcoming wireless handhelds and smartphones that have been labeled possible "Treo killers." These are devices that will supposedly replace palmOne's Treo 600 in the hearts of users.

All of these are relatively small devices that have similar features to the Treo, including a built-in miniature keyboard. However, they run different operating systems.

The one many hard-core Pocket PC users are eagerly awaiting is the BenQ P50, which was announced this spring. Unfortunately, a report has surfaced that indicates that this model won't be available for a long time.

A Brighthand reader reports being told by this model's production manager that the P50 won't be out until sometime in the second half of next year. No reason was given for this delay.

An Overview of the BenQ P50

The P50 won't be a smartphone. Instead it will be a cellular-wireless Pocket PC, although a very small one. It will run the Phone Edition of Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC.

How much memory it will have is also not yet known, and it might not have been determined yet. It will include an SD/MMC slot for additional storage.

One of the ways BenQ saved space on this model is by using a 2.8-inch screen. This display will be at the Pocket PC standard resolution of 240 by 320 pixels, and it will be able to display 262,000 colors.

This model will be surprisingly small for all it offers: 4.7 inches long, 2.4 inches wide, and 0.8 inches thick (120 mm by 60 mm by 20 mm). It will weigh about 5.3 ounces (150 g).

For comparison, the Treo 600 is 4.4 by 2.4 by .9 inches and it weighs about 6 ounces.

The P50 will use GSM/GPRS wireless networks and support 850/900/1800/1900 MHz. The fact that it will support 850 MHz is a strong indication that this device is intended for release in the U.S.

Related Links

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