Facebook working on two Smartphones: Reports
If reports are to be believed, Facebook is working with mobile phone maker INQ Mobile Ltd to create two smartphone devices that may have a network tie up with AT&T Inc.
According to sources, the devices, which will feature Facebook social-networking services, are due to be introduced in Europe in the first half of 2011 and in the U.S. in the second half. AT&T, the second-largest U.S. wireless service provider, is still considering whether to carry the devices and haven’t made a deal yet.
According to Jaime Schopflin, a spokesman for Facebook, the company’s current projects included deeper integrations with some manufacturers.
According to the company, it continues to work with INQ Mobile, which has previously sold phones with Facebook features, along with other companies.
INQ Mobile, which is based in London and is backed by Hong Kong telecom firm Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.
Aircel & INQ Mobile to launch handsets in India
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Indian telco Aircel and handset maker INQ Mobile will launch the INQ Mini 3G and the INQ Chat 3G phones in India.
INQ Chat 3G is a Qwerty device while INQ Mini 3G is a slim-line mobile and both allow users to multi-task and to switch between applications such as Facebook and a camera. Over 5,000 outlets will make the phone available.
A campaign fronted by Indian cricketer and company ambassador MS Dhoni has been used by Aircel to support the launch.
Hutchison enters mobile handset market (Hong Kong)
Hutchison, operating its mobile services in several countries under the 3 brand has set up handset unit called INQ Mobile. The company is also planning to roll out its first mobile handset in UK and Australia before the end of this year. It is anticipated that the phone will be offered to other mobile operators by next year as well. With the introduction of new phone the comapny seeks to convince consumers to use more web-based services on the mobile phone which would increase data usage. Qualcomm chips will be used in INQ handsets and manufactured by contract manufacturers such as Flextronics and Foxconn.
