BenQ to introduce a sub-9mm phone in April

Taiwanese maker BenQ has never really been known for its stylish handset designs, or slim phones for that matter. But it seems the company is now looking to change that impression with its upcoming T60 mobile phone.

The first thing that strikes you about the T60 is its slim profile. It measures just 8.9mm thick, which makes it one of the slimmest handsets in the market today, besides the Samsung Ultra Edition phones.

However, what really captured our attention was the T60's beautifully crafted design. Its glossy stainless steel back plate combined with smooth curves and a minimalistic button layout give it a clean yet elegant appearance. Frankly, we would not have expected a phone like the T60 to come from BenQ, so it's a refreshing change to see the Taiwanese firm finally break away from its traditional handset designs.

The specifications for the T60 are typical of a low- to midrange phone. Its most impressive features (other than the design) are probably the onboard 3.2-megapixel camera and surprisingly generous 2.2-inch QVGA LCD. You will also get a microSD card expansion slot on top of the built-in 24MB memory, integrated media player, Bluetooth (with A2DP stereo) and FM radio. Once connected to the PC via USB, the T60 can double as a Webcam.

While the stylish T60 is clearly targeted at the fashion-conscious user, we suspect it will probably appeal to the mainstream crowd as well with its estimated US$200 price tag. It is currently slated to launch this April in Taiwan, Indonesia, Turkey, Bangladesh and Vietnam.

Click for larger images:


Via FarEastGizmos
Picture credit: BenQ

Turn that cavity into a microphone

Talk about a bad case of cell phone addiction. Chinavasion describes this as the ultimate hands-free device, and for good reason: It's a tiny microphone designed to be embedded in the teeth.

If we weren't told otherwise, we'd swear this was an April Fool's prank. But the Bluetooth Dentacom is apparently for real, a "composite resin filling" that will "pick up sound and vibrations from your mouth to produce incredibly clear sound", according to GeekAlerts.

But take note of the distributor's advice: "All dental work should be performed by a qualified dentist. Chinavasion does not take responsibility for injury resulting from the installation of this product." We'll stick with the speakerphone for now.

Via Crave CNET

Solar case charges 20 phones at a time

Long ago Crave made a plea for for solar chargers that wouldn't induce hernias, and, thankfully, more than a few manufacturers have answered that call. But now Strapya, which offers a keychain-size version of its own, is going in the other direction with a 22-pound beast called the Sola Unagi Solar Generator.

Developed by Fuji Technologies (PDF), this mega-charger that can purportedly power as many as 20 mobile phones at a time, according to Red Ferret. It would be the perfect accessory for the kind of phone junkies who are so addicted that they embed microphones in their teeth.

We're not sure about the name, however, as unagi means freshwater eel in Japanese. Maybe it has something to do with electric eels instead.

Via Crave CNET

MacRumors: 3G iPhone to come as early as June

It's no secret that Apple is working on a 3G version of the iPhone, but what MacRumors has done recently is put all these rumors together in a story. It all began with Goldman Sachs Analysts' prediction that the iPhone would see two revisions in 2008. The first was a flash memory upgrade (which came true in the form of a 16GB iPhone) and the second which was purported to be more significant, was the inclusion of a 3G radio.

MacRumors pointed to four reports/rumors that substantiate the second revision:
(1) "Hon Hai has reportedly won the contract to build Apple's next iPhone."
(2) "Bank of America sources suggest that the 3G iPhone will begin limited production in May with a ramp up in June."
(3) "Spanish paper Cinco Dias suggests that the 3G iPhone could debut in the Spanish market as early as May."
(4) And news cites that "Apple has acquired trademark rights to use the name 'iPhone' in Japan".

However, the only thing that's happening for sure now is that the Apple Worldwide Developer's Conference begins on June 9. That's probably the best time for the Cupertino company to hold the world spellbound again, or not.

Via MacRumors

Levi's comes out with "Red Tag" phone

It's hard enough to distinguish a new product in the ridiculously crowded mobile phone market, and even more so when it comes from an outsider--such as a clothing company. But rather than just make another phone whose only difference is a logo, Levi's is at least trying something different that capitalizes on one of the trademarks of its jeans: The red tab. No, it's not a cloth tag sticking out of the keypad, but a red section of the limited edition "Red Tab" phone being sold by French retailer Colette for 550 euros (about US$870).

Other than that, plus a few accessories and the option for custom engraving, it's the same handset that's been on the European market for a few months, with an MP3 player and 2-megapixel flash camera, according to Luxurylaunches. For that price, they should throw in a matching pair of denims.

Via CNET Crave | Picture credit: Luxurylaunches

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