INQ just announced two new phones that further their original direction of integrating social media into the handset experience. Called the INQ Chat 3G and the INQ Mini 3G, the duo of "3G Social Mobiles" promise a full range of social media features, without the hefty price tag that's usually attached to well-connected phones.
You might remember INQ with last year's highly-acclaimed INQ1, which impressed consumers with its clever integration of Facebook, Skype, Live Messenger and Last.FM into the overall phone experience. The two new phones build on these specialized talents, adding new native capabilities (yes, they're built in to the system, instead of being add-on software) such as push Gmail and Twitter.
Obviously having learned their lesson from the bland physical specimen that was the INQ1, the new pair of devices both sport a more mature design aesthetic. The INQ Chat 3G takes on a Blackberry-style form factor, complete with a front-mounted set of QWERTY keys and sleek-looking lines. The more conservative INQ Mini 3G, on the other hand, comes with a candybar form factor and touts a similar black and red motif as its larger counterpart.
Other features of the handsets include microSD card expansion (up to 4GB), USB tethering, an integrated camera module, downloadable apps and media-syncing with iTunes on both PCs and Macs (via DoubleTwist). The Chat 3G also comes with a GPS tuner.
Both phones will debut in European markets beginning in the fourth quarter. Price is not yet disclosed, but INQ is claiming that the units will retail very aggressively (hint: relatively cheap).
This phone has all the social connectivity you would need. It has a handful of other things packed in as well. It would be interesting to know what they price this at.
It looks like BlackBerry OLD design. Though social networking features are bonus. What are the other specifications ? What OS do these phones run on ?