MediaTek to make Twitter available on feature phones

MediaTek to make Twitter available on feature phonesTaiwan's MediaTek, which is a supplier of chips for low cost phones sold in Asia, Africa and South America, will offer the Twitter service on low end mobile phones aimed at the emerging markets.

MediaTek will preinstall the micro blogging service in the feature phones and allow the users to access the service easily, even without the need of a smartphone. Twitter and MediaTek announced their partnership on Wednesday that will bring its services to users in emerging markets.

The MT6255 product of MediaTek will be the first chip from the company to feature Twitter service. The company will gradually integrate all of its mobile processor platforms with Twitter service. The company has claimed that the app it has developed for the feature phones will offer similar experience as Twitter for iPhone or Android.

MediaTek spokeswoman Sharon Lo said that the company is aiming to improve the smartphone-like functionality of feature phones by offering the Twitter integration. The service will be available in feature phones that are priced at US $ 50 or lower.

"In the emerging markets, there are a lot of consumers that can't afford a smartphone, and so they are still using Facebook or Twitter through their notebook or PC," Lo said.