14 DAY TRIAL // London-based handset manufacturer INQ has just announced the introduction of two new Android-based smartphones INQ Cloud Touch and INQ Cloud Q, which offer users a full desktop-like Facebook experience.
This doesn't come up as a surprise, as rumors have been running around about INQ or HTC working on a Facebook-oriented device for a while.
Both INQ Cloud Touch and INQ Cloud Q have been built especially for customers who use Facebook as their main communication tool. The two Android smartphones promise to deliver a fully live Facebook experience developed around INQ's Visual Media Feed.
Furthermore, Facebook and INQ have been collaborating closely on this project, as both devices feature all-new apps for Facebook on mobile, which is totally different than today's text-based status updates.
Basically, the homescreen of both devices is a visual Facebook feed for clicking through friends’ updates, pictures, videos and web pages.
Moreover, there are also one-touch links to Facebook Chat, Friends, Messages, Wall and Notifications. In addition, Facebook Events fully integrates with the Google Calendar on both devices.
Good news for music lovers too, as the INQ Cloud Touch and INQ Cloud Q come with a Spotify client with all features available to subscribers through a dedicated Spotify key.
Spotify CEO and Founder, Daniel Ek, said, "The INQ Cloud Touch is a perfect example of how the next generation of phones will be built - from the cloud up - and we're excited to make Spotify a part of that."
While the INQ Cloud Touch comes with a 3.5-inch HGVA touch screen, the INQ Cloud Q features a smaller 2.6-inch touch screen, but adds a full QWERTY keyboard.
The rest of the specs seems to be similar for both devices: Android 2.2 Froyo (upgradable to 2.3 Gingerbread), Qualcomm 7227 600MHz processor, WiFi 802.11b/g connectivity, HSDPA 7.2 and HSUPA 5.76Mbps, 4MB of internal memory, microSD card slot for memory expansion (up to 32GB, 4GB memory card included), 5-megapixel camera with autofocus, integrated GPS and FM Radio.
According to the manufacturer, the INQ Cloud Touch will be available in Q2 2011, while INQ Cloud Q will be available Q3 2011, at The Carphone Warehouse and Best Buy.