Handsets – CHIT-CHAT

INQ Chat 3G

As social networking continues to hit the headlines – for the decline in use of the services by young and funky 15 to 24 years olds according to Ofcom – INQ, known for its one and only handset, the INQ1, is set to launch two more handsets onto the market later this year that may go some way to reviving youff interest in this area.

Both these devices are aimed at the kids, with bright colours and one-button hits to take the user straight to Facebook and new addition, Twitter, plus Skype and instant messaging. The first of these devices is the INQ Chat 3G, the company’s first qwerty-style phone. Working closely with the Twitter team, INQ has developed a Twitter application for both its new social mobiles. After the initial log in, Twitter will be ‘always on’. Consumers can send tweets and

retweet via the internet, rather than using SMS. With the INQ Chat 3G, a specially designed Twitter widget will deliver Twitter updates straight to the home screen.

The INQ Chat 3G has a new email client developed by INQ that incorporates free push Gmail, removing a cost for push mail typically borne by operators or passed on to consumers, and comes complete with an active address book which is presenceenabled, showing live status from all contacts and letting the user chose how to contact them, a 3.2 megapixel auto focus camera, built-in GPS and a 120MB memory, expandable to 8GB.

INQ Mini 3G

The second of INQ’s new devices, due out in the fourth quarter this year, is the INQ Mini 3G. This is a 3G social mobile with the speed, usability and suite of applications capable of driving data usage in the mass market, in a simple candy bar design

Being compact, but still with seven interchangeable colour backs and all the fun and always-on networking capability of its bigger brother, the INQ Mini 3G provides an entry level social mobile ideal for the price sensitive prepay market.The INQ Mini 3G offers Twitter, Facebook, IM, Skype and standard email services like Hotmail.

INQ is also introducing seamless media syncing between its two new devices with PCs and Macs. The software, powered by DoubleTwist, syncs music from iTunes and WLM straight to the mobile and, unlike most other sync solutions, does not require the customer to give up using their favourite media player on their computer. The new mobiles from INQ will also be able to sync video and photos.

INQ Mini 3G

INQ Mobile only launched in 2008, but with just one handset available to the market, won ‘handset of the year’ at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last February. An average of 65% of INQ users use Facebook regularly, while 30% use their INQ frequently for email, and Windows Live Messenger activity is three to four times greater than on comparably priced 3G phones. Good show…