The recently-released social-networking-capabilities-equipped INQ Chat 3G smartphone, from INQ Mobile is being sold in the UK on the maker’s sister company – 3Store network.

Reportedly INQ Mobile’s first smartphone featuring a dedicated QWERTY keyboard, the INQ Chat 3G is essentially aimed at grabbing the attention of the increasing number of Twitter aficionados as well as users of other social networking websites. Not for nothing is the phone being touted as a “BlackBerry for the Facebook generation!”

Packed with a 3.2-megapixel camera and a free “push” Gmail, the most recent INQ handset provides free tethered Internet access, and boasts an expanded suite of INQ applications including Twitter, Facebook, Skype and Windows Live messenger.

Moreover, thanks to software developed by a 25-year-old Norwegian programmer named Jon Lech Johansen – also called “DVD Jon” -, the INQ Chat 3G is the first handset to support DoubleTwist functionality – whereby the application allows the users to play iTunes music files in conjunction with Windows music files.

The new £100 pay-as-you-go INQ Chat 3G handset is being offered by 3Store at a price as low as £15 on its Internet Texter tariff, which entails an 18-month contract.

The Internet Texter tariff includes unlimited email, unlimited texts, unlimited Skype calls and unlimited calls to current members of the 3 network, predictably offering only 75 anytime, any network minutes!