3 set to launch first INQ handset on Thursday

3 is set to unveil on Thursday the first in the first INQ handset. The phone, geared towards social networking on the move, is the first to be launched from INQ, a recently launched subsidiary of 3’s parent Hutchison Whampoa.

Of the phone to be launched on Thursday 3 says: ‘The idea behind the phone is to bring the internet and social applications like Facebook, Skype, Last.fm and MSN Live Messenger to people who don’t want to pay the high price for a smart phone like the Apple iPhone or Blackberry.’

A further five handsets from INQ will be launched throughout next year. The company will also be offering handsets for the other networks.