Product Reviews Net » Microsoft Kin http://www.product-reviews.net Information on the latest gadgets, technology, news and product reviews Sat, 26 May 2012 11:39:50 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Microsoft Stop Production On ‘Kin’ Phones; Focusing on Windows Phone 7 http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/07/01/microsoft-stop-production-on-kin-phones-focusing-on-windows-phone-7/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=microsoft-stop-production-on-kin-phones-focusing-on-windows-phone-7 http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/07/01/microsoft-stop-production-on-kin-phones-focusing-on-windows-phone-7/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 19:23:44 +0000 Jamie Pert http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=103530 Only two months after the next generation of ‘cool phones’ was announced by Microsoft, they have decided that the Kin phones are not exactly what they were hoping for and have stopped production to focus more on the redesigned Windows Phone 7 devices that are set to come about around the end of the year.

The Kin phones went completely against the grain, and tried to deliver something new to mobile phone users, aimed mainly at the youth who mostly use social networking as a way of interaction. This was pointed towards Zune music users too, and everything you did was backed up via a “cloud-based” backup feature – Microsoft Studio – which seemed pretty neat at the time.

But the Kins also seemed to lack in some areas. No calender, no third party applications, not entirely easy to use, it seemed though it was heading for an early grave, given the competition from the iPhone, BlackBerry devices and the wave of Google Android phones that are now on the market.

In the official statement, Microsoft say “We have made the decision to focus on the Windows Phone 7 launch and will not ship Kin in Europe this fall as planned. Additionally, we are integrating our Kin team with the Windows Phone 7 team, incorporating valuable ideas and technologies from Kin into future Windows Phone releases. We will continue to work with Verizon Wireless in the U.S. to sell current Kin phones.”

In other words, no more Kins will be manufactured once the current supplies have be acquired.

The death of the Microsoft Kin to focus more on Windows Phone 7 is now underway. Are you disappointed?

Source: USA Today

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/07/01/microsoft-stop-production-on-kin-phones-focusing-on-windows-phone-7/feed/ 1 Microsoft Kin Sales a Disappointment: Discontinued http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/07/01/microsoft-kin-sales-a-disappointment-discontinued/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=microsoft-kin-sales-a-disappointment-discontinued http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/07/01/microsoft-kin-sales-a-disappointment-discontinued/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:50:43 +0000 Peter Chubb http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=103475 Microsoft had hoped that its new range of social media phones would help them make a firm stance in the cell phone market. However, things have not gone according to plan for the two Kin devices – Kin One and Kin Two. Just two days in and the software giant have discontinued the model.

This is a huge disappointment to the company, as they had hoped that sales would have been much higher. Microsoft has been developing the Kin handset for two years and has invested a huge amount of money – this shows that the company has lost it way in this sector.

Miguel Helft from NYTimes was speaking to Forrester Research analyst Charles S. Golvin, he said that he was surprised that Microsoft killed the Kin handset this quick. In the past they have stuck with a product – even when they knew that it was failing.

Microsoft hopes of taking on the iPhone looks to be history now, this is a pattern that is being repeated. Recently the company scrapped its plans to launch a tablet device to take on the Apple iPad – it just seems as if Microsoft has lost its focus. They need to get back to what they do best – developing software.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/07/01/microsoft-kin-sales-a-disappointment-discontinued/feed/ 0 Microsoft Kin One and Two: New Verizon Release Date http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/05/06/microsoft-kin-one-and-two-new-verizon-release-date/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=microsoft-kin-one-and-two-new-verizon-release-date http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/05/06/microsoft-kin-one-and-two-new-verizon-release-date/#comments Thu, 06 May 2010 04:54:35 +0000 Alan Ng http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=99358 Yesterday, we informed you that the Microsoft Kin One and Kin Two handsets would be launching on Verizon today. Well, that information was incorrect as we can confirm via Microsoft’s PR that the phones will actually be available on Friday, the 7th.

As reported from BGR, Microsoft has just made both phones official in their press release, confirming prices and data plans on Verizon.

You’ll be able to pick up the Kin One for $49.99 after a $100 mail in rebate and 2-year contract, while the Kin Two will be available for $99.99 price tag after a $100 mail in rebate and a 2-year deal.

As we mentioned yesterday, the downside of picking up these phones, is that you’ll still be required to pay at least $29.99 per month for data plans.

Are you waiting to pick up either phone from Verizon? Friday is now the day to remember. Full press release through the link.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/05/06/microsoft-kin-one-and-two-new-verizon-release-date/feed/ 4 Microsoft Kin One and Kin Two: Verizon Release Date Confirmed http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/05/05/microsoft-kin-one-and-kin-two-verizon-release-date-confirmed/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=microsoft-kin-one-and-kin-two-verizon-release-date-confirmed http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/05/05/microsoft-kin-one-and-kin-two-verizon-release-date-confirmed/#comments Wed, 05 May 2010 13:25:56 +0000 Jamie Pert http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=99313 Earlier on today we showed you an unboxing video of the Microsoft Kin Two smartphone, now we have heard confirmation of a Verizon release for this handset and the Kin One.

According to a recent article posted on IntoMobile, both handsets will be available from Verizon Wireless as of May 6th (tomorrow), initially they will just be available online, however I’m sure they will arrive in-store pretty soon.

Both handsets are priced very reasonably, the Kin One will cost just $50 as part of a two-year deal (after a mail-in rebate), the Kin Two is a little more expensive at $100 as part of a two-year deal (taking into account a mail-in rebate).

Both handset boast impressive specifications, if you check out IntoMobile’s article you can read fully detailed information regarding both handset’s specs.

Will you buy either of these smatphones?

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/05/05/microsoft-kin-one-and-kin-two-verizon-release-date-confirmed/feed/ 0 Microsoft Kin One and Two: Verizon Release Dates http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/05/03/microsoft-kin-one-and-two-verizon-release-dates/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=microsoft-kin-one-and-two-verizon-release-dates http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/05/03/microsoft-kin-one-and-two-verizon-release-dates/#comments Mon, 03 May 2010 03:43:11 +0000 Alan Ng http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=99150 We have some good news for those of you who are planning to pick up either the Microsoft Kin One or Kin Two handsets, as we have a confirmed launch date for the device, as well as a date when you can start pre-ordering from Verizon.

As reported from SlashPhone, an internal memo from Verizon has revealed that both handsets will be available to buy on May 13th – which is just days away!

We knew that the phones were coming sometime in May, but did anyone predict that it will be this soon? You’ll also be pleased to know that you can start pre-ordering the device on May 6th – which is this Thursday.

The memo indicates that pre-orders will commence on Verizon’s website. Make sure you keep Thursday in mind then, if you want to pre-order the Kin One or Two.

We’ll update you if anything changes this week. Will you pre-order?

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/05/03/microsoft-kin-one-and-two-verizon-release-dates/feed/ 0 Microsoft Kin: The Future of Social Networking? http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/04/28/microsoft-kin-the-future-of-social-networking/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=microsoft-kin-the-future-of-social-networking http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/04/28/microsoft-kin-the-future-of-social-networking/#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:12:02 +0000 Jamie Pert http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=98969 As you’re probably aware, Microsoft made their Kin One and Kin Two devices official a few weeks ago, with the emphasis pointed towards a younger audience who use social networking on-the-go much more than using features that a smartphone has such as voice dialing, applications & organizing their day with calender-like functionality. But what makes this specialized phone better than others?

How many of you own an iPhone, BlackBerry or any other smartphone out there but do not particularly use it for making voice calls and inputting your schedules into the calender? I would say quite a few of you mainly use it to browse the Internet on the go by visiting your favorite social networking websites such as Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Well this is what Microsoft Kin is aimed at.

What Microsoft are trying to do is fill a void that is between the use of a standard phone and a smartphone, by giving consumers what they regularly use instead of uncommonly used features they may be able to deliver a refined environment which makes social networking, streaming music and instant messaging easy-to-use.

Do you think Microsoft Kin could become as popular as the iPhone and BlackBerry?

Source: SlashGear

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/04/28/microsoft-kin-the-future-of-social-networking/feed/ 0 Microsoft Kin One and Two: List of Carriers, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Included http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/04/28/microsoft-kin-one-and-two-list-of-carriers-att-t-mobile-and-verizon-included/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=microsoft-kin-one-and-two-list-of-carriers-att-t-mobile-and-verizon-included http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/04/28/microsoft-kin-one-and-two-list-of-carriers-att-t-mobile-and-verizon-included/#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:22:05 +0000 Jamie Pert http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=98942 If you have been looking forward to the release of the upcoming Microsoft Kin One and Kin Two handsets we have good news for you, it looks as if the handsetS could be coming to a lot of carriers.

Recently ROMs for the handset were sifted through a by ROM expert going by the game of ‘Conflipper’, he claims that ROMs he looked at hinted at the release on a lot of different U.S., Canadian, European and Asian carriers.

American readers will probably be happy to hear that it looks set for a release on AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, as for our UK readers you can expect to see the handset released on Orange, O2 and Vodafone.

Other carriers expected include Fido (Canada), China Mobile, China Unicom, O2 (Germany), T-Mobile (Germany), Vodafone (Germany/Spain/France/Portugal/Italy), DoCoMo (Japan), Softbank (Japan), Telia (Sweden) and Three (Sweden).

At the moment we will just have to treat this as a rumor, however as we do hear of confirmed carriers we will keep you posted, for more details check out the link below.

Source: SlashGear

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/04/28/microsoft-kin-one-and-two-list-of-carriers-att-t-mobile-and-verizon-included/feed/ 0 Microsoft Kin Phones: Is New Video Advert Controversial? http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/04/15/microsoft-kin-phones-is-new-video-advert-controversial/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=microsoft-kin-phones-is-new-video-advert-controversial http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/04/15/microsoft-kin-phones-is-new-video-advert-controversial/#comments Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:02:25 +0000 Alan Ng http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=97995 For those of you planning to pick up either of Microsoft’s new Kin mobile handsets, you’ll be pleased to know that the company has just released a brand new video advert touting the features of both.

What you’ll see in the video may be of a surprise to you though, as it shows a young man taking a picture of his body and sending it to a female friend.

While this is no big deal for most people, including myself, others may feel it encourages the trend of sending saucy pictures to one another – which some won’t like.

Watch the video below for yourself and let us know your thoughts on it. Is it slightly controversial, or do you see no harm in the clip. Don’t forget that Microsoft are aiming their Kin One and Kin Two social phones at the younger generation.

[Read]

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/04/15/microsoft-kin-phones-is-new-video-advert-controversial/feed/ 0 Microsoft Kin One and Kin Two: No release in Asia – Microsoft http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/04/13/microsoft-kin-one-and-kin-two-no-release-in-asia-microsoft/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=microsoft-kin-one-and-kin-two-no-release-in-asia-microsoft http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/04/13/microsoft-kin-one-and-kin-two-no-release-in-asia-microsoft/#comments Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:19:46 +0000 Alan Ng http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=97791 Some interesting news to bring you now, as following on from the official announcement of the Microsoft Kin One and Kin Two handsets, the company has confirmed that both phones will not be seeing a release in Asia.

As reported from PC World, the handsets will come with unique access to social networking services such as Windows Live, Facebook and Twitter, and will be released on Verizon in the US next month.

Despite the emerging Chinese market, Microsoft has no plans to release in Asia, with the company yet to hold negotiations with any of the major operators in Asia.

Vodafone will also be releasing both handsets in Europe towards the end of the year, confirming that Microsoft has placed exclusivity with only these two networks.

Let us know your thoughts on this. Full article over at PC World.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/04/13/microsoft-kin-one-and-kin-two-no-release-in-asia-microsoft/feed/ 0 Microsoft Kin One and Kin Two: Official product shots released http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/04/13/microsoft-kin-one-and-kin-two-official-product-shots-released/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=microsoft-kin-one-and-kin-two-official-product-shots-released http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/04/13/microsoft-kin-one-and-kin-two-official-product-shots-released/#comments Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:14:41 +0000 Alan Ng http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=97724 Following on from Microsoft’s official announcement on the social networking Kin One and Kin Two mobile handsets, we now have some glorious product photos of both devices for you to take a look at.

The photos come to us courtesy of Pocket-Lint, who have uploaded the gallery over at their website. Customers in the US will be able to pick up both phones on Verizon in May, while those of you in Europe can get your hands on them in Autumn on Vodafone.

Both handsets will come with unique features for Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Windows Live. For music lovers, you’ll be pleased to know that they will also be equipped with the Zune player.

Full specs can be seen here. Check out a few photos below, then head to Pocket-Lint for the rest.



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