11/13/08

Joe's blog post 'Optimized for mobile people' is right-on.

And here's a supporting argument: INQ, a start-up mobile phone manufacturer-distributor, is working on the release of a Facebook-enabled phone, which remembers what it is that mobile people like to do in the first place: keep in touch. It's not merely presentation of a mobile-enabled Web site, it's a whole new means of maintaining -- and amplifying -- social-networking interactions. The phone will integrate Facebook with Windows Messenger and Skype (for free VoIP calling) in a single account, managed by opposable thumbs. Updates are pushed through automatically, the company says. The phone will even pick up your friends' Facebook photos and use them to illustrate your incoming calls.

For rollout, it'll only be available on the 3 mobile network in the U.K., but it will ship to at least other countries and different carriers soon after. Target price: Free with a 18-month contract with 3 at £15 (US$22.50) a month. Or £79.99 ($117) for users who don't want a contract.

Here's PCWorld's take on it.