3 announces 'Facebook phone'

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. www.three.co.uk www.inqmobile.com Save up to £16 a year this Christmas when you subscribe to Web User!