INQ to also use Android OS soon, do some cool stuff with it

INQ, popular for their affordable phones that integrate with Skype and social networks, are working on an Android-powered phone. So far, INQ phones have been using a proprietary OS, which was designed to offer smartphone-like capabilities but now they're going for the real deal - and what's a better option for a small company than the open-source Android OS.

Probably the last phones to use the proprietary OS will be the INQ Chat 3G and the Mini 3G. The move to Android however will open the gates to its rich app store - the Android Market, making their phones even more competitive with more expensive offerings. And while the Market offers applications to access social networks and the like, INQ will probably add their own solution in the mix as well.

INQ's CEO hinted at an improved user experience and promised they'll do some "pretty cool things with Android". They already won an award thanks to excellent IM and social network integration, so they should know what they're doing.

Android hasn't been able to match the iPhone's popularity so far, but with more manufacturers joining in on the bandwagon it might just start gaining ground soon. It's not just INQ, Motorola is also getting into the game with the DEXT and its MOTOBLUR interface.

The first Android-running INQ phone will come out some time next year.

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