Posts tagged INQ1

The INQ Mini 3G has been reviewed by Wired’s Daniel Dumas who likes what he’s seen after previously testing out the INQ1,

“INQ is back, with a sleeker, smaller, sexier INQ Mini that revolves around Twitter instead of Facebook.”

Dumas wasn’t entirely sold on the INQ1, but this hasn’t dulled his enthusiasm for the Mini, enjoying what he describes as a gorgeous propriety OS. This saw him flying through menus with “no futzing”, a phrase I have on good authority means positive things.

To read how he got to his conclusion that the “Mini seems like a great device for a precocious high schooler who desperately wants a smartphone but doesn’t have the cash”, click on through.

Amongst the current INQ Mini reviews and previews, the Mobile Deals Compared (MDC) blog has decided to focus on the INQ Chat, referring to it as an affordable alternative to the more well know smartphone brands.

Making a focus of the integrated features and of course that Qwerty keyboard, MDC is holding on to high hopes for the Chat, especially as they were so impressed with the INQ1,

“[…] the INQ Chat 3G truly has the potential to be a more affordable version of the Blackberry for those who have an eye for the famed smartphone, but not the wallet.”

Are you looking forward to the arrival of the INQ Chat?

At Tech Digest there is a picture based article (be sure to click on the pics to get the text) of the five coolest British made phones ever. Enjoying the article greatly is IntoMobile who have highlighted the Sendo X and the INQ1, both of which are in the Tech Crunch cool to call list.

Noted by Into Mobile is the positivity that currently surrounds INQ, “Actually INQ have just released two new handsets (see here), but their first device, lauded by press and public alike, was the INQ1 – a very nice little slider which has a ton of social networking features in it.”

To have a look at all five make sure you head through and reminisce, proud to be a British mobile user!

Despite the imminent arrival of the INQ 2nd gen devices, the Chat and Mini, in Shiv’s world the INQ1 is still an interesting proposition.

Referring to his previous handset, the N95 as “excellent but now quite senile”, Shiv has been on the lookout for a new device and had his eye caught by the INQ1. Tempted by the integration of Facebook, WLM and Skype he had a full-on “ooooh…aaaaah!” moment when he saw the address book 2.0.

His review goes from unboxing to summary and gives attention to everything inbetween. This especially focuses on issues he has had with the INQ1 and what he’d like to see next from the manufacturer. Will the Chat and Mini sync with his thoughts?

Jennifer Martinez at GigaOm has written on the ‘match made in heaven’ that is mobile handsets and social networks.

However, a report published by Forrester suggests only 2.3 percent of Europeans use their mobiles to interact via social networks. Listed in the report are five ways this figure could be boosted, and as Jennifer states, they’re fairly obvious, but devices still lack them. Click through and see if you agree.

The INQ1 baulked this trend by being built around Facebook, with successful returns - 65 percent of INQ1 users access Facebook via the handset on a daily basis. It’s only a matter of time before handset manufacturers and social-networks alike realise the common goal of getting people communicating and start *’following’ suit.

* Subtle Twitter ref… ;)

3UK has reported that INQ1 users are, in the words of Mobile Entertainment, ‘over-indexing’ in regard to data usage on the handset.

This above average activity sees 65% of users making the most of Facebook, the majority accessing it at least one a day. It isn’t just Facebook either, with the other social networking services available on the INQ1 performing well too, “30 per cent regularly use email, 19 per cent use Skype and 50 per cent use Windows Live Messenger (3-4 times the 3UK average).”

Marc Allera, 3’s sales and marketing director, said of the figures, “If an internet communication service is well designed, always on, and simple to use then the take-up potential on mobile is huge. […] The INQ team has very successfully addressed this.”

Mobile News has more on this from both Allera and INQ chief executive Frank Meehan.

On the review site Ciao the INQ1 is scoring well, especially when it comes to Look & Feel, Durability & Robustness and Range of Features.

The individual reviews pick out different aspects of the INQ1 they like with jreay21 approving of the contract despite not being sold on the device itself. This is quite the opposite though of both nivekfs and sofearbear who both praise the handset with nivekfs decreeing the INQ1 as the answer to Facebook, Skype and Ebay while on the move.

Been using an INQ1? Let us know what you think.

Australia.to has, amongst their news pages, discussed the INQ1 and found it to be somewhat of a social networking superstar.

However, it wasn’t all instant gratification, “The INQ is a brilliantly conceived device which takes a while to use to its full potential.” Nevertheless having made their way through the layers of functionality the device was seen to be a hit, offering all you’d expect of a mobile, as well as doubling up as a modem and plugging you straight into Facebook, Skype and Windows Live Messenger.

Their complete review can be found here.

INQ have confirmed they’ll be releasing a Twitter phone in Q4 of 2009.

Mobile News covers the basics, mentioning the INQ1’s tight integration of Facebook and that the unconfirmed INQ2 “will have Twitter support baked in the case.” Rumour is the device may even have a QWERTY keyboard enabling users to fire out tweets with ease.

Alexkinch.com has also spoken about the arrival of the Twitter based INQ handset. Included are quotes from 3 UK Sales Director Marc Allera on the success of the INQ1, something that they’ll clearly be hoping to see replicated by the new Twitter phone over the Christmas period.

UKGadgeteer has been reminded that should you want Gmail straight to your INQ1 handset then you can.

Basically there are two ways of making sure you have instant access to your inbox while on the move. Firstly with ‘Email on 3’ and secondly with Gmail itself, both of which UKGadgeteer talks through, before suggesting the best tariff options to get the most out of the handset.

Already got email arriving via your INQ1? Let UKGadgeteer know how you’re finding it.

IT Reviews have taken a look at the INQ1 and found it all very favourable.

After running through some of its features, notably the integrated Facebook service, they aren’t surprised that it “has caused quite a storm [and] won the best mobile handset award at the 2009 Global Mobile Awards.”

Despite having preferred a 3.5mm connector as opposed to the mini-USB, they see the INQ1 as having more than enough innovative details to make up for this short-coming.

For the entire review head on through.

UKGadgeteer has news of 3’s latest offers on the INQ1 and Skypephone S2.

In line with 3’s Skype Free Calls Forever the price of both handsets has dropped. Previously £99.99, you can pick up either device on PAYG for £69.99, “for around £70 you can now buy a phone which will offer free Skype to Skype calls and not even need to top up the device to continue using it.”

Amy-Mae Elliot at Pocket-Lint has also covered this news, hailing the return of the S2 and giving a little heads up about some info gleaned from 3’s CEO, Kevin Russell, that another dedicated Skype handset will be arriving Q4…

Timelines is running and our guys on board are exposed to the 3mobilebuzz readership and beyond. Something that Marianne found as a bit of a shock, “I feel strangely naked now. I guess that from now on, I must start taking part in only highly interesting and exciting happenings. Phew.” From the menial to the magical Marianne, we’re happy!

Iain Baker updated his Twitter followers on the commencement of the project and Kai has been updating furiously, notable visual highlight for me – green tea.

Want to know more about Timelines? Just click through.

Embracing this world where communication is king and being socially visible a way of life, we’ve created Timelines - a site that celebrates mingling on the move and reflects the sort of thinking that led to the creation of the INQ1 handset.

As you can see from the splendid link on the right hand side of our home page, Timelines is up and scrolling sideways! To kick things off, we’ve placed four INQ1s in the hands of some creative individuals and charged them with leading the way. You can follow all they get up to in one place as Timelines updates with their mobile and social lifestream.

Currently occupying the five lines are designer Kai, photographer Marianne, NME Radio DJ Iain, film maker and screen writer GirlInTheCafe and our good selves. Make the jump to the homepage to read about each of them. But to get to really know them, head straight to the Timelines.

What are your first impressions of Timelines? – If it’s ‘I want to occupy one’ and you’re a mobile, social sort then drop an email to Matt.

At Skype Journal Martyn Davies, news editor for VoIP User has written a guest post reviewing the INQ1.

The article, titled ‘When Skype goes mobile: INQ1’ gives a bit of background on the handset and the look of packaging and phone alike before addressing the real meat – social mobile software. “The key feature of this handset is obviously the integration of Skype and other social networking features.”

Martyn goes through the details of the social side of the device, notably the single message inbox for all your communication needs. Although he has a few criticisms he points them out as being ‘really trivial’.

Overall he feels that what 3 are trying to do with the INQ1 “is still unique, and kudos to them for creating their own path among the mobile operators.” Agree or disagree let Martyn know over at Skype Journal.