INQ picks Android for upcoming touchscreen handsets

We've enjoyed seeing what INQ is bringing to the featurephone space, most recently with the Facebook and Twitter-centric INQ Mini 3G and INQ Chat handsets (which still haven't been announced for the States), but things are getting a lot more interesting on word that INQ is going to be using Android for upcoming touchscreen smartphones. We're guessing INQ will be blending its Synergy-style blended social networking capabilities with traditional Android goodness, much in the way HTC and now Motorola are approaching Android. So far all INQ is saying is that Android hasn't done well against the iPhone so far, and that "you need to get the experience better," promising "cool things" in response to this self-defined challenge. You know what else is a "cool thing"? America.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 14th 2009 12:28PM]

America is the coolest thing.

[Hmm Posted Sep 14th 2009 12:56PM]

Haha..

oh wait.. you were serious? :P

[Zaro27 Posted Sep 14th 2009 1:59PM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhnUgAaea4M

[Zodiac Posted Sep 14th 2009 4:18PM]

"America is the coolest thing."

Because Windows Mobile has died? ;)

[George Posted Sep 14th 2009 12:41PM]

Come on phone manufacturers, it isen't the year 2002 anymore, design better UI's or get out. The Palm pre, HTC Hero, and iPhone are perfect examples of a nice rounded UI design for a mobile phone, some people (like windows mobile) just throw out shit designs and it looks AWFUL, take this phone for example, whats with the out dated selection menu at the bottom?
Fuck this

[cardbored Posted Sep 14th 2009 12:46PM]

Way to choose 3 touch screen phones as your examples...

[JONNNathannn Posted Sep 14th 2009 12:54PM]

Well can you name a non-touchscreen OS that is seamless and not a mess of menu lists and options and loading screens? Android, Mobile OSX, webOS and the N900's Maemo are all very beautiful, very fluid and are/seem very easy to use. I don't think there's any debating this.

[ChazClout Posted Sep 14th 2009 1:15PM]

I don't think phone in that picture is running Android.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 14th 2009 5:37PM]

Yeah...that's not even the phone being discusssed, it's just INQ's other phone. They're using Android for upcoming phones, not the model shown.

[George Posted Sep 14th 2009 12:41PM]

Oh and no, I'm not a fanboy for any phone, I own an iPhone, and agree that there are equal phones out there.

[schumacc Posted Sep 14th 2009 4:42PM]

We don't need to pretend there there are better phones out there than the iPhone just so we don't offend the anti-Apple zealots. Let's call a spade a spade. There may be phones that do one or maybe two things better than the iPhone, but realistically there is no other phone that is as well rounded and has a superior user experience. Bar none. I have used many smartphones and the iPhone is so much better I consider it a joke to even debate it with anyone as they have to be absolutely clueless to contend that it is not.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 14th 2009 12:46PM]

Not feeling it.

For the type of experience I want, I need at least a 3.5" display.

Android is definitely making progress, though. Apple's going to have to work some serious magic in order for me to cop another iPhone, rather than a new Android device or Windows mobile 7 device.

[JONNNathannn Posted Sep 14th 2009 12:55PM]

I would like this very much. INQ has a cool style and I really want more Android options, HTC's phones are all too similar to each other and the others are similar to each other as well (Instinct Q, Cliq, Etna). I would like something that looks very unique and fun.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 14th 2009 12:58PM]

Sorry guys, this is out of date. I posted a story having spoken to INQ today where it denied this:
http://www.trustedreviews.com/mobile-phones/news/2009/09/14/Exclusive--INQ-Not-Dropping-Brew-For-Android/p1

[Eddie W Posted Sep 14th 2009 1:11PM]

I would like to see at least one Android phone in the candybar w/ keyboard format. This obviously isn't it... there are lots of people who love blackberries over the iphone, so there's got to be a market, and while it's nice to have a big screen, it's also really nice to have decent battery life, thinner phone, and not having to deal with a slider. Wasn't Android originally supposed to be on all types of phones?

[JONNNathannn Posted Sep 14th 2009 1:24PM]

When Android was first shown on video it was actualy a candybar qwerty non-touch.

I would really like a Pixi/Blackberry type Android phone as well. Mix it up, I don't really care for sliders and feel they're a little unpractical and cheesy.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 14th 2009 2:46PM]

Same hither. I'd be quite satisfied for a bit if I could run Android on my E71. In the meantime I've replaced my Pre with a Galaxy. I do miss keyboards, but hate the sliders.

[ChazClout Posted Sep 14th 2009 1:12PM]

What an amazing year for Android. So many companies jumping on board!

[mich Posted Sep 14th 2009 2:52PM]

INQ Mobile has clinched a deal with Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) to sell its social networking phone model INQ Mini 3G.

This is INQ Mobile’s first deal with an operator that does not belong to Hutchison Whampoa, the firm’s parent group. SingTel is the largest operator in South East Asia

INQ has indicated the model will cost operators less than $140, allowing carriers to offer it for free with monthly contracts.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 14th 2009 3:09PM]

Every time I see that Android logo I expect it to start talking like Terrence & Phillip on "South Park".

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 19th 2009 4:37PM]

Actually, that is the way that ALL *canadians* are on south park... terrance and phillip are like that because they are canadians... as is Ike (Kyle's adopted brother).

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 14th 2009 3:23PM]

how are you going to have a "chat" phone with no fwd facing camera?.. failsville

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 19th 2009 4:42PM]

Well, a phone is for speaking, not seeing. When they speak of "social", they mean crap like farcebook and the other horrible crap that promotes delinquency in youths and allows child molesters to locate victims.

[sockatume Posted Sep 14th 2009 3:59PM]

INQ have already refuted this report. Like, 12 hours ago. They say that Android is the OS they'd pick if they ever went with a thirdparty solution, but they don't have any plans to do that.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 19th 2009 4:47PM]

YOU are misinterpreting their response.
They are simply saying that they are not dropping their proprietary crap and moving entirely to android (which I don't think anyone even said in the first place). They specifically say that they *are* looking at android, but simply have not (yet announced) any specific project involving android.

[Quikboy Posted Sep 14th 2009 6:33PM]

Cool. I hope they still offer WinMo on their non-touchscreen handsets or have WinMo 7 as a side option.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 19th 2009 4:48PM]

Why? Wimo doesn't offer anything besides shackles.