Late last year, we covered the UK-based INQ phone launch. While we don’t cover too many mobile phone launches, we became interested because its primary function, beyond phone calls, was social networking and Facebook (Facebook). While an iPhone or Android (Android) device has the same capabilities, the focus on social media was somewhat unique.
That was only step one for INQ, though. Today, the company is following up their “Facebook Phone” with the release of two 3G Twitter (Twitter) phones. Yes, their main feature is built-in Twitter functionality, although its in-the-box integration with Facebook, Skype (Skype), and iTunes syncing aren’t shabby additions either.
The two phones, the INQ Chat and the INQ Mini, both feature INQ’s social media application suite – specifically Skype, Twitter, Facebook, IM, and email. It’s also an upgrade from the INQ1, the original Facebook Phone, which didn’t come with a full keyboard or Twitter integration.
Once again, these social media phones are UK-only (but us Americans still have the iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm Pre, G1, and others to choose from). Still, they’re indicative of a big trend: mobile social media. More and more users are demanding these applications, and companies like INQ are delivering, even if pre-packaging these apps in phones isn’t all that revolutionary.
We wonder about the iTunes syncing feature, though. Do they have permission from Apple? Or will the iTunes maker end up cutting off INQ phones like they did to the Palm Pre?
Anyway, if you’re a phone junkie, we’re including the specs below:
INQ Chat:
– 114.5mm x 61.0mm x 12.8mm
– Widgets automatically push Twitter and Facebook updates to the home screen
– Active address book is presence-enabled showing live status from all your contacts, letting you chose how to contact them
– Built-in plug and play HSDPA modem to give your PC wireless broadband access
– 2.4 QVGA TFT landscape display
– 3.2 megapixel auto focus camera
– Built-in GPS
– 120MB memory, (expandable to 8GB)
– Brew 4.0 and Java MIDP 2.0 for application development multitasking supported by dedicated Switcher hard key
INQ Mini:
– 102.9mm x 45.8mm x 12.8mm
– Active address book is presence-enabled showing live status from all your contacts, letting you chose how to contact them
– Built-in plug and play HSDPA modem to give your PC wireless broadband access
– 2.2 QVGA TFT landscape display
– 2.0 megapixel camera
– 100Mb user memory (expandable to 8GB)
– Brew 4.0 and Java MIDP 2.0 for application development multitasking supported by dedicated Switcher hard key
Editor’s Note: This post was originally embargoed until midnight ET/9pm PT, but since it has already been published elsewhere, we’ve decided to run with it now.