Review : InQ chat 3G

INQ is not a company that you’ll easily recognize but I am getting increasingly accustomed to that. However before dismissing it as just another budget Java mobile, this one doesn’t quite look or feel like that. INQ is a British company and was the first to develop a mobile dubbed the ‘Facebook phone’ that won the ’Best Mobile Handset’ award at GSMA 2009. Aircel has brought this handset to India now and is offering it exclusively with their services. Here’s a closer look at their Chat 3G device.

Form Factor
The Chat 3G is quite like any other QWERTY handset that’s already out there. In fact it’s similar to the Samsung Corby TXT. The device’s 2.2-inch TFT LCD features a 320 x 240 pixel resolution with the QWERTY keypad well laid out but will take a bit of getting used to as the keys are a bit hard. It is well designed however. At just 12.8mm in depth, the Chat 3G is slim and the 90g weight it carries actually gives that certain feel good factor that sets it apart from some similar models. On one side it has a universal mini USB port for PC connectivity, charging and the handsfree. Just below that are the volume keys. On the other side is a Switcher key that can be assigned to functions for quick access. A hot swap slot is located under the rear panel and on the rear of that panel is a little maze game. which using a secret code u can actually play it on the device itself using

*6649↓

Features and Performance
Interface
The Chat 3G runs on a version of Qualcomm’s Brew application development platform. Now originally this system was designed for the CDMA segment but has now been ported to GSM as well. The UI is a bit sluggish on the whole as opening pictures, accessing music or opening apps sometimes takes up to 5-7 seconds. It’s quite user friendly and simple to navigate though with apps that you’d most likely be using very frequently all neatly arranged on an ‘app bar’ at the bottom of the desktop. You also have the option of running widgets on the desktop for live updates from Facebook, Twitter or even using Google’s Search bar.

Everything is neatly tied into social networking. Your entire list of Facebook contacts can be downloaded onto the handset and phone numbers can be integrated with them. It’s a one time process but a bit painstakingly time consuming as it doesn’t easily do it all automatically or search by name like HTC’s Android version. Nevertheless it’s quite handy once it’s done. INQ has gone with a very ‘arty’ motif and included quite a few colourful wallpapers, even the menu icons colourful enough to make you feel like you’re on some psychedelic acid trip.
Multitasking is quite easy with this handset but that also tends to make it slower than it already is.

Media
While you can just copy supported media to and from the device for playback INQ recommends you use a software called Double Twist. As soon as the handset is connected to the PC options for transferring files and downloading the appropriate software pop up. Unfortunately no matter how many times I tried to download it, it didn’t seem to work out. Nevertheless, standard 3GP and MPEG4 videos played without a hitch. The bundled hands-free were comfortable to use for voice and music. The problem is music quality, although quite clear, was a little low. Crowded trains and buses and the many many other loud spaces in the city won’t allow to get really enjoy your music while on the go. The EQ presets included to make quite a difference but unfortunately don’t help too much with increasing the volume. The lack of an FM radio could be a considered an issue for some.

There are no inbuilt games provided but you can download java games for the phone from the internet. Most nokia e-71 java games would work on this one.

giving links for few games tested on inq chat 3g

Shrek Forever after

http://www.mediafire.com/?qvomkorxlrbbk0m

Farm frenzy (very addictive like farmville)

http://www.mediafire.com/?5zaq5451vi9w2t4

Need for speed undercover

http://www.mediafire.com/?xqtv86y496u455g

The INQ Chat 3G does have one of the best cameras on it from the INQ range, with a 3.2MP effort more than good enough for taking pictures. There are a fair few options to play with on the phone – basic, but if you’re the sort of normal person who basically takes the odd snap on your phone now and again, it’s more than enough.

The Chat 3G has a decent autofocus option, with a fairly quick centre point finder – however, the shutter lag is such that if you move the camera much when the picture is being taken you’ll end up with a big blurry mess.

The video camera is very sloppy and hardly can be used for recordings cause of low frame rate.

Battery life was typically good on a phone like this – don’t expect it to regularly last more than a day, but given the sheer amount of applications sucking information down from the invisible interwebs we were impressed with the INQ Chat 3G’s ability to hang on.

The phone is packing a 1500mAh battery, which is pretty industry-leading and decent for a phone

PC connectivity is very well stocked indeed. Users don’t need software in the box, instead just connecting the phone via miniUSB bringing up a plethora of options.

Users can choose to install the phone as a mobile modem, connect using the PC Suite, install doubleTwist media centre or just transfer files via USB, or simply charge it by pressing cancel.

The PC Suite is as basic as they come, with files from the phone available on one side and the folder directory of the host PC on the other. The modem software worked well and simply – connecting was via a big green button, and that was all you needed to get going. Once connected it allows you to surf the web at a reasonable speed on a stable connection, and data use is tracked too.

The native browser is quite easy to use and very simple in interface, but renders webpages very slow.

so I would recommend opera mini 5 (known for its unmatched speed, tabbed browsing , great interface)

To download opera mini click below

http://www.mediafire.com/?covg8um6d6k26ar

INQ chat 3g is available from aircel at rs. 7500 , comes locked with its network

and is available in 4 battery cover options.

Rating

3.5 Stars out of 5