INQ Chat 3G

The INQ Chat 3G (occasionally dropping the '3G' to be called the INQ Chat) is a fully featured, 3G enabled "Candy Bar" smartphone created by the British manufacturer INQ, designed to easily interface with popular social media applications.

INQ Chat 3G
ManufacturerINQ
Slogan"Social media baked in"
Compatible networksGPRS, EDGE, HSPDA
Availability by regionDecember 2009
PredecessorINQ1
SuccessorINQ Cloud Touch
RelatedINQ, INQ1, INQ Mini 3G
Form factorCandybar
Dimensions114.5 x 61 x 12.8 mm
Mass122g
Operating systemINQ System1, based upon Qualcomm's BREW
Memory175.6 megabytes
Removable storagemicroSD/microSDHC, up to 4 GB
Battery1500mAh Li-ion Polymer
Data inputsQwerty keypad
Display2.4" TFT LCD, 256k colours
Rear camera3.2 megapixels with autofocus
ConnectivityBluetooth v2.0 with A2DP, mini-USB v2.0

Dubbed the 'Twitter phone', the INQ Chat 3G features integrated Twitter, Facebook, Skype and Windows Live Messenger applications. The phone sports a full QWERTY keypad, a 3.2-megapixel camera and a 2.4-inch screen. The phone was launched alongside the INQ Mini 3G - both of which succeed the hugely successful INQ1.

History

The BREW device was announced on 4 August 2009, and developed in response to consumer demand for a full QWERTY keypad layout device from INQ. The phone debuted on 30 November 2009 in Italy,[1] with a Sweden launch shortly after on 7 December 2009.[2] The INQ Chat 3G had a simultaneous UK and Hong Kong launch, on 11 December,[3] 2009. It was later released in Singapore on 22 December 2009,[4] and in India on 16 March 2010.[5] The mobile phone has also been released in Australia on 2 July[6] and in Canada on 27 July.[7]

Appearance

The phone features a red and black colour scheme, a full QWERTY keypad, a 2.4" QVGA TFT LCD screen, a mini-USB port, volume control buttons and a Switcher button (to switch between applications).

Artwork

INQ's packaging and instruction manual style is unique. The packaging the phone comes in is laden with artwork from various artists, and there is no manual as such, instead a set of 'Help Cards'. Each help card focusses on a particular part of the phone - for example Contacts, E-mail or Twitter - on one side, and then on the other side one of the many artworks selected by INQ. In their words: "We have collaborated with illustrators we love to turn our packaging and help cards into objects to cherish, not chuck."

Along with this, all of the artworks are included as images on the phone and can set as the wallpaper or screensaver if desired. The artwork use on the Chat 3G's box is by Matt Huynh. The artwork for all of INQ's phones can be seen here, along with an introduction to "INQ+Art", brief descriptions of each artist, their artwork and which phone it was used for. (Note: some artists have had more than one of their pieces used, and on multiple phones).

Battery Covers

Like the Mini 3G, the INQ Chat 3G's battery covers are interchangeable with other colours. The default is the red battery cover, but black, pink and yellow battery covers can be purchased at participating stores of the default network in the respective countries. In Canada, phones bought on Telus receive, two battery covers, a solid color and an artwork cover - feature either the artwork by Paul Vizzari or one of the pieces of artwork by Matt Huynh (different from the one use on the phone's box); both artworks feature on the back of the help cards.

Battery Covers Red Yellow Pink Black Artwork Artwork
Image
Notes Default colour. This is branded by the network the phone is locked to. This one is branded on the Three network. Available for purchase separately from the phone. Artwork by Paul Vizzari, specially commissioned by Telus in Canada Artwork by Matt Huynh, specially commissioned by Telus in Canada

On the reverse of all of the battery covers is a maze, and the Latin phrase "Audaces Fortuna Iuvat", meaning "fortune favours the brave", all leading to a mysterious secret embedded within the phone.

Features

General
  • The user of the phone can display widgets on their home screen for quick and easy access to information. Widgets include Facebook, Twitter, Weather and RSS.
  • Compatibility with doubleTwist.
  • Option to use the phone as a mobile modem, either over USB or DUN Bluetooth.

Applications

Applications include, but are not limited to:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Skype & Windows Live Messenger, which both make use of the free Skype and Messenger on selected Three networks
  • E-mail, including free Push GMail, as well as supporting the IMAP4, POP3 and SMTP e-mail protocols.
  • A media player, capable of playing Audio: AMR, AAC, AAC+, MIDI, MP3, WAV; Video: MPEG4, H.263, H.264[8]
  • Google Maps for Mobile, making use of the built-in GPS
  • The NetFront browser, v3.5. In some countries, Opera Mini is the default browser instead.

Social Networking

The Chat 3G, as with all INQ phones, is built for social-networking, and it is highly integrated into the phone:

  • When the user take a picture they are immediately given the option to post to Twitter, using Twitpic, or to Facebook.
  • In the Contacts list, the user can assign social-networking profiles to a contact, including information about Facebook, Skype, Windows Live Messenger and e-mail. The contacts list then displays the Facebook or Windows Live Messenger profile picture, including the latest 'status update' from Facebook if the user is logged into the Facebook client. It also displays a small icon showing whether they are logged into Skype or Windows Live Messenger.

Hardware
Feature Specification
Screen2.4" QVGA, 256k colours, 320x240 pixels
BandTri, GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
3GYes, with enhanced '3.5G', HSDPA. (2100)
Size114.5 x 61 x 12.8 mm
Weight122 g
Internal Memory175.6mb
Camera3.2megapixel, 2048x1536 pixels with autofocus
Memory card slotYes, microSD/microSDHC
BluetoothYes, 2.0 + EDR; supports most profiles, including A2DP for stereo audio and control and DUN to use phone as a modem for internet tethering from other devices.
GPSYes
Wi-FiNo
InfraredNo
Data cable supportYes, USB 2.0 via mini USB port
FM radioNo
Battery1500 mAh, Ion-Polymer
Talk time588 minutes
Standby time355 hours

Carriers

INQ is owned by Hutchison Whampoa, which own Hutchison 3G; because of this the phone is usually carried on the 3 network where possible. INQ have adopted a style whereby they launch their phones on one network in that country. There are exceptions (i.e. Australia & Canada), but these are where the networks are commercially linked.

The INQ Chat 3G is currently carried on the following networks:

References
  1. Ciao Italia! INQ Chat 3G now on sale | INQ Blog
  2. INQ Chat 3G Available in Sweden | INQ Blog
  3. INQ Chat 3G has arrived in the UK and Hong Kong | INQ Blog
  4. INQ Chat 3G now in Singapore | INQ Blog
  5. INQ now in India | INQ Blog
  6. @INQMobile on Twitter
  7. "New Brunswick Business Journal - Smartphone maker INQ launches new phone". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  8. "3 Denmark, INQ Chat 3G Specification". Archived from the original on 24 March 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
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