3 is partnering with Facebook to launch a handset aimed at social network users. The phone, called INQ1, features a 'live contact book' that lets users see their contacts' Facebook profile picture and online status. Users can receive live updates from Facebook on the front screen of their handset and upload pictures from the phone's camera to their profile. The phone is produced by INQ, a Hutchison Whampoa-backed handset manufacturer.
"The 85% to 95% of the market that did not buy the iPhone and cannot afford an expensive smartphone has been frankly forgotten," says INQ, CEO Frank Meehan, quoted by the Guardian. "The problem is we could not find anything under USD500 that gave customers good access to the internet so we said 'stuff it we'll do it ourselves'."
The INQ1 also features quick access to Skype, Windows Live Messenger and Last.fm. The phone will come free on a GBP15 (USD22) a month contract, which includes unlimited web navigation, email and texts plus 75 minutes of calls to other networks. It will also be available on a pay-as-you-go basis for GBP7.99 (USD11.7).
StrategyEye's related companies: Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia), Skype, Last.fm, Facebook, Hutchison Whampoa
