SingTel has announced it will launch INQ mobile's social networking handset on September 19, becoming the first operator in Asia to do so.
Hutchison Whampoa subsidiary INQ will customize the handset for SingTel customers, adding access to SingTel's social networking services on top of those already installed on the phone.
The phone won the GSM Association’s 2009 “Handset of the Year” award at its annual congress in February.
Offerings to be incorporated are social music service AMPed, IM on Mobile and information service inSing.com, the operator said. To promote the new handset, SingTel will offer free AMPed and IM on Mobile access on selected plans.
The INQ Mini 3G includes a sliding menu offering one click access to Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites. Features include the ability to integrate Facebook contacts with the handset's built-in address book, displaying the contact's latest profile picture with every call.
“The device complements our efforts to transform SingTel into an integrated multimedia solutions company, helping to strengthen our foothold in the social networking space,” SingTel executive vice-president Yuen Kuan Moon said.