3 announces 'Facebook phone' November 13, 2008 Web User
The world's first mobile phone focused primarily on social networking, the INQ1, has been announced by network operator 3.
The INQ1 handset is manufactured by a new company called INQ, though a precise date for availability has not been announced yet. Both INQ and 3 are owned by Hutchinson Whampoa.
According to the company, the phone will provide one-click access to Facebook and live updates will be pushed direct to the front screen of the device.
INQ will be available free on a contract tariff from £15 per month offering unlimited web access, with 75 minutes of calls to other networks, unlimited texts, unlimited email and unlimited calls to other phones on the 3 network.
For an extra £5 per month you can get 200 minutes of calls to other networks.
The INQ will also be available on pay-as-you-go contracts at £79.99 with internet packages available from £5 per month.
Kevin Russell, chief executive officer of 3 UK, said: "Facebook has more than 120 million users worldwide and is as core to the phone as voice or text.
"Our network helps to unleash the power of these cutting-edge handsets and offers consumers easy, great value access. We're democratising and mobilising the internet," he continued.
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