Old MIDs don’t die; they get reborn with a new OS. At least, that’s what’s going on with BenQ’s S6: the 4.8-inch touchscreen handheld has been given a new lease of life by replacing its Midinux OS with Windows XP. You’ll have to be in Taiwan to buy it, though; carrier FarEasTone are offering the 3G-enabled S6 for $424 outright or free with a $57 per month three-year data contract.
It’s hard to believe, but after all we’ve seen of the BenQ S6 MID, we’ve not seen a video unboxing. Perhaps that’s because of the mobile internet device’s limited availability; so far, Italy looks like your best bet to get a hold of the S6, courtesy of carrier TIM. Anyway, there’s at least one S6 outside of Italy, in the hands of Ewan Spence on the MID Moves tour, and he’s shared not only his video unboxing but some hands-on feedback about the compact 3G device.
Unboxing video of the BenQ S6 MID after the cut
BenQ’s S6 MID first went on sale in Italy back in October; now carrier TIM has slashed the price from its original €429 to €299 ($403). The price is believed to be for an unlocked, contract-free device, which gets you a 4.8-inch touchscreen, 2GB SSD and integrated 3G for a cost we don’t normally see Mobile Internet Devices hitting.
Nothing like a good device dissection to clear the pipes on a Monday, and if the BenQ S6 hands-on feedback left you thinking “great, but what’s inside those little MIDs?” then this might appeal. aigo’s P8860 MID has a similar 4.8-inch touchscreen to the S6, but brings a slide-out QWERTY keyboard to the mixture; in the UMPC Fever forums they’ve been looking inside to check out possible upgrade potential.
Video dissection after the cut!
As promised after last week’s unboxing gallery, we’re starting to see the first reviews of BenQ’s S6 Mobile Internet Device come through from its new Italian owners. UMPC Portal have adopted one particular Italian called Alberto, who has been giving his thoughts on how the S6 holds up as an internet device, an ebook reader and a media player.
After months MIA, BenQ’s S6 MID is finally in the hands of buyers – namely those in Italy who can buy them from carrier TIM. The €429 ($626) touchscreen device is being sold there without a contract, although TIM do provide a SIM in case you want to activate the S6’s 3G HSDPA connection, and the first hands-on images are starting to filter out.
BenQ’s S6 Mobile Internet Device (MID) has finally gone on sale with Italian carrier TIM, priced at €429 ($626) unsubsidized. The 800MHz Atom MID is centered around a 4.8-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen and has WiFi, Bluetooth and 7.2Mbps HSDPA.
Mobile telephony has never been simpler. Navigating through the clearly designed telephone menu is easy even without the operating instructions. Now, instead of laboriously typing in a text message, a short voice message can simply be dictated and sent via MMS. The large display puts more than 260,000 brilliant colors on to the mobile’s screen and enables it to be read clearly, even in bright sunlight. With its Dual Speaker System, a hands free function and 64-tone ringtones, the BenQ-Siemens S68 also meets the most discerning acoustic requirements.
An integrated organizer makes this stylish triband mobile an indispensable companion. Current appointments and contact data can be transferred directly via the attractive SyncStation DSC-100 or via Bluetooth from the PC to the mobile. Bluetooth also makes irritating cables on accessories a thing of the past. For example, the new fashionably slender Bluetooth HHB-100 headset ensures optimum comfort when making calls.
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