July 3 - 10:40am EDT   BenQ may shift much of its handheld business from cellphones to Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), according to unofficial reports from within the company. The contacts claim that the launch of an Intel Atom-based MID in the summer (pictured) will signal the start a transition to where most every mobile device from BenQ will fulfill similar roles, which include basic web browsing and e-mail access as well as media playback and video conferencing. Cellphones will only be made as customers request them, according to the claims. [full story]

June 20 - 9:05am EDT   BenQ on Friday claimed an industry first by updating its E series computer displays with a new, extra-sharp model. The E2200HDA is the first known desktop LCD to use a 16:9 aspect ratio that fits widescreen HD content without the black bars that come with most 16:10, non-native screens. It also stands as one of the most densely-packed displays outside of pro-level hardware: while measuring an uncommon 21.5 inches diagonally, the screen provides a full 1920x1080 resolution and will display 1080p content from Blu-ray, game consoles, or other sources without losing any detail. [full story]

April 30 - 2:15pm EDT   BenQ on Wednesday announced its newest handset, the C36 music phone, which replaces the company's C30. Like its predecessor, the C36 uses top-mount controls for its integrated FM tuner, MP3 library and 1.3-megapixel camera shortcut. The camera is capable of recording AVI format movies and can be utilized as a webcam when connected to a PC via the C36's miniUSB port. The dual-band GSM phone features a 2-inch screen with a 176x220-pixel resolution. [full story]

April 23 - 3:00pm EDT   BenQ on Wednesday unveiled three new digital cameras with the DC C750 and DC C850 from the company's Compact & Classical range along with the DC E800 in the Elegant & Stylish range. The 8-megapixel E800 incorporates a 2.7-inch LCD screen and is able to shoot 640x480-pixel 15fps video or 30fps MJPEG movie format at half the resolution. The 3x optical zoom camera has a maximum low-light sensitivity setting of ISO 1600. [full story]

April 16 - 4:30pm EDT   BenQ announced its newest laptop, the Joybook R45, on Tuesday. The R45 sits near the top of the R-series and is aimed at style-conscious users with its soft-touch, leather-like surfaces, complemented by high-spec multimedia and connectivity hardware. The 14.1-inch LCD features a 1280x800-pixel resolution and displays videos thanks to NVIDIA's GeForce 8400M G graphics card with HDMI output. Bluetooth connectivity is integrated, and the R45 was designed with VoIP communication in mind thanks to noise-cancelling software. [full story]

April 1 - 11:30am EDT   BenQ on Friday revealed details of its super-slim T60, measuring just over a third of an inch (8.9mm) thick and packing a 2.2-inch 320x240 resolution LCD screen along with a 3.2-megapixel camera. Software includes a caller black list function that screens out user-selected numbers. BenQ is pitching the GSM phone as a high-quality fashion accessory akin to fountain pens and money clips. [full story]

March 17 - 8:10am EDT   BenQ this morning hoped to upturn the LCD business with the launch of the V2400W. Purportedly inspired by the B-2 stealth bomber, the 24-inch LCD's casing uses a new plastic injection technique that both curves the back of the display and makes it one of the thinnest of its kind: the display is about 2.4 inches at its thickest point and 0.9 inches at its thinnest, the company touts. The display also stands out through a thin bezel and a touch-sensitive control panel. [full story]

January 15 - 11:35am EST   BenQ has revealed a new extra-slim camera it hopes will appeal to those for whom even most point-and-shoot models would be too thick. The X800 produces 8-megapixel shots but measures just 9.8mm (0.39in) thick courtesy of a prism-based 3X optical zoom lens that lets it fit in tight pockets. In spite of this, the camera can shoot macro images at roughly the same distance and contains a large 3-inch LCD for live previews. Its image processor allows face detection and includes modes to use high sensitivity (up to ISO 4000) to compensate for fast movement or dark scenes without using flash. [full story]

December 20 - 9:25am EST   BenQ today provided the surprise of a completely new entry in its Joybook portable line. The Q41 is the first notebook from the company to offer an external display for Windows Vista's SideShow feature: a 2.5-inch LCD on the outer lid lets users access e-mail, media, and simple games from the system even while turned off. Completely unique to BenQ, however, is the SideShow display's VoIP feature: owners can place Internet phone calls without having to boot up the main system and start conventional software, the company boasts. [full story]

December 14 - 1:35pm EST   BenQ has introduced a new digital camera, the X835. The eight-megapixel compact is notable mainly for its high ISO sensitivities, which allow it to capture images with ambient light where it might otherwise need flash; although visual noise may increase dramatically, the camera can handle up to ISO 2000 in still mode, or up to 6400 when recording a movie. This contrasts with most compacts, which tend to limit themselves to ISO 800 or 1600. Video consists of 30fps MPEG-4 shot at VGA resolution. [full story]

December 5 - 3:00pm EST   BenQ on Wednesday inaugurated the X series, its first complete line of LCD displays made just for gamers and others who demand fast response times. Aside from a checkered flag pattern at the base to reflect its gaming pedigree, the X is the first line to include two different gaming modes: an action mode adjusts the color and response for first-person shooters and most typical games, while a racing mode does the same for the typical camera views found in driving simulations. [full story]