INQ Mobile, a Hutchinson Whampoa-backed company (and Spark client) launched a social mobile phone today, bringing social networking and internet connectivity to the mass market. It has been dubbed the “Facebook phone” although it does much more than that. INQ has partnered with Last.fm, Windows Live Messenger, Skype, eBay and others to built a new handset from the ground up that really has the mobile internet as part of its DNA. It’s available at a significantly lower cost than most smart phones and will appeal to the huge number of consumers who aren’t into (or can’t afford) an iPhone or Blackberry.

Lots of buzz online and in the cool east London studio where this launched. Great article by Om as well… check it out!! The team here is taking a breather before gearing up for tonight’s celebration. Get in touch if you want to come along!

Rachel, Paula, and Becca at the INQ Mobile launch in London

The 2008 Mediatech 100 list of Europe’s hottest private media tech companies was announced today. The top 100 companies likely to have the biggest impact on the industry in the future make the list, and three Spark clients made it into the top 10 with two others on the list of 100.

MOO – coming in at number two, MOO prints digital photos and images onto very cool products like business cards, stickers and holiday cards, as well as their famous MiniCards.

Playfish – ranked seventh, Playfish develops games for social networking platforms, five of which are on Facebook’s top ten games list. You’re probably already addicted to “Who Has The Biggest Brain?” so check out the new one, “Geo Challenge.”

Stardoll – ranked tenth, Stardoll is the world’s largest site for young women. On Stardoll.com, you can build virtual paper dolls, dress them up with virtual merchandise from brands like Sephora, Vivienne Tam and DKNY, decorate your online suite, join clubs, make and sell your own clothes, and get access to exclusive celebrity information and videos.

Xtract – in the top 100, Xtract is a very cool “social advertising intelligence” company. They can create automated consumer profiles for mobile and online advertisers that are based on social interactions, behavioral and demographic data.

Zemanta – also in the top 100, Zemanta is a plug-in for bloggers that automatically suggests relevant links, pictures, related articles and tags while you’re writing.

Congratulations are definitely in order!!

–Paula