Hutchison Whampoa’s handset play INQ has announced two new handsets that it hopes will build on the success of its first device the INQ1 – known colloquially as the ‘Facebook Phone’ because of the social networking capabilities around which it was designed.
Adhering to its social networking theme, the firm’s two latest ‘Social Mobiles’ feature internet-based Twitter and media sync capabilities, as well as free, push Gmail services. The INQ Chat 3G is the firm’s first QWERTY keyboard handset, with the Mini 3G the smaller sibling.

The firm said it has developed an application that, after an initial log in, will give users permanently connected Twitter services. Consumers will be able to send tweets and retweet via the internet rather than over text messaging. On the Chat, INQ said, a specially designed Twitter widget will deliver Twitter updates straight to the home screen.

INQ is also introducing seamless media syncing between its devices and PCs or Macs. The software, powered by doubleTwist, syncs music from iTunes and WMP straight to the INQ mobile and, unlike some other sync solutions, the firm promised, will not require the customer to give up using their favourite media player on their computer. The new mobiles from INQ will also be able to sync video and photos.

Frank Meehan, INQ’s CEO, said: “We build phones that focus specifically on what people want to do most on mobile, and deliver it at a price point that’s easy for consumers and profitable for operators. We have completely broken the vice grip hold that high end smartphones had on great mobile internet experiences, and made them available to everybody.”