3 launches Facebook phone
"Quentin is on the train"
Network operator 3 has unveiled a handset that’ll make Facebook fans up and down the country jump for joy.
3's INQ1: exclusive
The INQ1 is a slider designed with just one thing in mind: social networking. It features access to a whole series of communication apps, including Facebook, Windows Live Messenger and Skype.
Manufactured by Amoi, the INQ1 runs on a platform designed by self-styled “new company” INQ, which claimed that the device is “the world’s most advanced social networking phone”.
Scrolling icons on the main menu provide direct access to said social networking apps, a very basic web browser and Google tools. Facebook’s layout is different from the website's design, but proved as easy as pie to navigate around.
Facebook, Windows Live Messenger and Skype
For example, INQ automatically adds contacts from Facebook to its address book – and from other apps – so that a user’s avatar appears when they call you. A Facebook friend’s status, such as “Will is eating chicken”, will also appear in your INQ1 contacts menu.
If you’re not a social networking addict, then INQ1 doesn’t have much else to offer. It does sport HSDPA 3G connections of up to 3.6Mb/s and a three-megapixel camera.
But when we tried the phone out at its London launch this morning, we found the 2.2in, 320 x 240 screen difficult to read text on. It's not touch-sensitive, either.
Steer clear if you're not into social networking
The lack of a Qwerty keyboard will put some users off, but 3 did hint at the launch of a Qwerty-enabled model next year. There’s no support for GPS, but 3 also said this will come in 2009.
Bluetooth is present and there’s a USB port. A 1GB memory card’s supplied with the device.
The INQ1 will be free on a £15-per-month ($25/€20) 3 contract which gets you unlimited web, texts and 75 minutes of calls. It’ll cost £80 ($150/€100) on a pay-as-you-go basis. An availability date hasn’t been confirmed yet.
COMMENTS
Facebook? Meh.
Windows Live Messenger on a mobile, however, is a useful tool. However, my Blackberry already does both of these things; of course, I don't do Facebook, so that app isn't installed.
And unless the handset's coupled with a juicy unlimited data rate plan (like my BB), it isn't much use to have these apps, as I wouldn't like to pump up my mobile bill on pointless stuff like Facebook.
Not too tempting
I just left 3 for Asda Mobile (because Asda is cheaper, not cos 3 is crap, which it isn't). This abomination isn't about to tempt me back. What happens when facebook bites the dust. Other than the earth continuing to rotate as normal, this phone will be rendered useless. Great
Re: The way forward for mobile contacts?
Seems likely to me. I guess the issue is the lack of 'openness' to these systems. Something that various people (e.g. Google) are trying to do something about (and profit from it). I'm unlikely to add my parents to Facebook to get them on my phone, for example. Equally, people I work with won't necessarily be on Facebook but might be on LinkedIn or similar. Phones that work with just Facebook are going to be strictly targeted at 15-21 year olds I think...
I can do Facebook on my iPhone, and that works pretty well. Not that I use it much, I imagine heavy users would like a well made app integrated well into a phone...
twinkle twinkle
"we found the 2.2in, 320 x 240 screen difficult to read text on."
Guess you've outgrown the target-demographic ;)
Me too though, as I shudder at the mere idea of nobody any longer actually having to get off their mental arse and THINK about spending minutes/money on actually CALLING or TEXTING me instead of just unleashing a stream of nerving pointless bother on all free channels available, not even to think of those folks who do not have my number — which tends to be for a reason.
