The INQ Chat 3G, showing the Twitter application |
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| Manufacturer | INQ |
|---|---|
| Carriers | See: Carriers |
| Compatible networks | GPRS, EDGE, HSPDA |
| Introductory price | £89.99 |
| Availability by country | December 2009 |
| Predecessor | INQ1 |
| Successor | INQ Cloud Touch |
| Related | INQ, INQ1, INQ Mini 3G |
| Form factor | Candybar |
| Dimensions | 114.5 x 61 x 12.8 mm |
| Weight | 122g |
| Operating system | INQ System1, based upon Qualcomm's BREW |
| Memory | 175.6 megabytes |
| Removable storage | microSD/microSDHC, up to 4GB |
| Battery | 1500mAh Li-ion Polymer |
| Data inputs | Qwerty keypad |
| Display | 2.4" TFT LCD, 256k colours |
| Rear camera | 3.2 megapixels with autofocus |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP, mini-USB v2.0 |
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 INQ with "social media baked in". 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" screen. The phone was launched alongside the INQ Mini 3G - both of which succeed the hugely successful INQ1.
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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 the 30th November 2009 in Italy,[1] with a Sweden launch shortly after on the 7th December, 2009.[2] The INQ Chat 3G had a simultaneous UK and Hong Kong launch, on the 11th December,[3] 2009. It was later released in Singapore on the 22nd December, 2009,[4] and in India on the 16th March, 2010.[5] The mobile phone has also been released in Australia on July 2[6] and in Canada on July 27.[7]
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).
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).
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 [1] 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.
Applications include, but are not limited to:
The Chat 3G, as with all INQ phones, is built for social-networking, and it is highly integrated into the phone:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Screen | 2.4" QVGA, 256k colours, 320x240 pixels |
| Band | Tri, GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G | Yes, with enhanced '3.5G', HSDPA. (2100) |
| Size | 114.5 x 61 x 12.8 mm |
| Weight | 122 g |
| Internal Memory | 175.6mb |
| Camera | 3.2megapixel, 2048x1536 pixels with autofocus |
| Memory card slot | Yes, microSD/microSDHC |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 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. |
| GPS | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Infrared | No |
| Data cable support | Yes, USB 2.0 via mini USB port |
| FM Radio | No |
| Battery | 1500 mAh, Ion-Polymer |
| Talk time | 588 minutes |
| Standby time | 355 hours |
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:
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