Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

The new phone runs off the new Windows Mobile 7 platform and it's main focus is social networking. More info @ http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/KIN/

Live Stream of press event @ http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/webcast/

re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

Discussing what?

re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

Sorry, edited post 1 :)

Please could you change the title to match the one I changed it to in Post 1. Thanks :)

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

Done. :)

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

Will there be a model targeted specifically at LinkedIn users? Called Kin-L? ;)

Sorry mods, just too tempting :naughty:

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

Thanks :)

It looks sooooo good, way better than the iPhone, I want I want I want :D

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

It may look better than the iPhone, but since I had to use a WinMob6 phone for a week whilst the battery on my iPhone was replaced, I hope WinMob7 is a darn sight more user friendly.....

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

It looks to be. :)

Official website now up at www.kin.com

---------- Post added at 21:13 ---------- Previous post was at 21:11 ----------

If you missed the press stream you can view it at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/p...eoGallery.aspx

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

Looks awful and Microsoft have yet again shown their commercial division to be rather hyperactive. What on earth happened to Windows Phone 7? This is meant to be built on top of it but changes the interface and seems to break the desired input their wanted developers to use.

Basically this is not a Windows Phone 7 phone, so why are Microsoft releasing a rival device to the OS they want developers to write applications for? It's already looking weak into that the new iPhone hardware and OS will be out before this hits the UK. There are now endangering that by their usual desire to have a million varying products.

Although I think this is less of a smart phone and more of a device aimed at teenagers, that might be something to do with it.

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

I see websites being setup as we speak:D

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

Made by Sharpe (remember them?)
KIN1 320x240
KIN2 480x320

'Kin awful, especially with WP7 on them.
I'm seriously starting to think that Apple have infiltrated M$ and are sabotaging them from within.

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

Woops

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/10473655.stm

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

It seems to me that Micrrosoft are slightly bothered that (apart from the xbox range) they haven't done well in terms of consumer gadgets.

Certainly not as well as Apple.

They seem to think the best way to deal with this is launch plenty of different types of gadgets all with funky names (xbox, zune, kin) in the hope that at least one will succeed.

This is their problem. Apart from the xbox, these devices have largely failed. Why?

I don't know, but I suspect the different branding is causing confusion amongst the buying public. The fact that MS appear unwilling to expand unsuccessful brands (or even advertise them in the case of Zune) is also not helping.

I think I need to explain that.

In the area that Microsoft were hoping the Kin would have competed in, they already have Windows Phone 7 and Windows Mobile. That's effectively three product ranges that perform similar functions. This is going to leave the average member of the public confused as to what they need to buy. They may have a vague idea that they want a Microsoft based phone because it'll work well with their PC (whether it does or not is another matter), but they won't know which one.

Apple have the advantage here. They have three product lines competing here. Each of which has one feature that seperates it from the others. The iPad is large, and is easy to recognise as a tablet. The iPhone makes calls, and the iPod Touch doesn't.

And they can be fairly certain that software (with some exceptions) and hardware bought for one will work on the others.

Customers also know that the i range is not going to go away soon. They can be fairly certain that Apple will support their device for at least two years after they get it, and there is a large developer community that supports it even longer than that.

My own opinion? Assuming they wish to stay in the mobile phone hardware market, they need to launch TWO ranges. One (probably Windows Mobile based) for business, and one (probably based on Windows Phone 7 and Xbox branded) for home use.

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

They could call it the Windows PhoneboX ;)

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

I think it's simpler than that, Stu. Apple's brand has cachet. Whatever you think of the technical performance or spec of their products, the one thing they have done better than any other technology company anywhere is make their stuff unbelievably cool and desirable.

Microsoft has deceived itself that it enjoys a similar reputation, thanks to the mass appeal of Windows. But that's not the case. Windows is self-perpetuating; it is ubiquitous, therefore it continues to be ubiquitous. Once you get away from the distorted market for operating systems and office productivity software, MS has to face up to the reality that they don't make cool stuff, and people aren't going to rush out and buy their stuff just because it has the MS brand on it.

They have to work as hard as any other new entrant to any market they target. You would think that shouldn't be hard for them; they have so much cash they should be able to bring whatever resources they need to bear on anything they choose to do. Unfortunately, there is more to it than resources. Corporate culture plays a big part, and Microsoft's culture, thanks to the dominance of Windows, has come to be one where they think that whatever they do, must of necessity be the right thing. They're used to telling the customer what the customer wants, not competing and innovating.

The Xbox is a rare exception to this. The fact is, unless and until that culture changes, there is a high risk that anything else they invent will go the same way as the Zune and now the Kin.

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

Good job I got a BlackBerry instead then...

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

This is true.. It's also worth noting that somehow, in the last couple of years, RIM have managed to maneuver the Blackberry into having a similarly cool image. While MS have been losing market share.

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

Microsoft's problem is a lack of focus and many different groups, with different responsibilities, internally fighting over the direction of some products. This is the reason why so many products take an age to come to completion and then either get cancelled or get really conflicting marketing.

The KIN is a perfect example of this, it was the original attempt by Microsoft to increase their presence in the mobile market, but internal disagreement over the software it would ultimately use meant it had been delayed two years. Even before it was announced their were rumors of it’s demise. Windows Phone 7 Series was announced before the KIN as well. They knew it was dead on arrival.

Here is a good analysis of what went wrong: http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/new...gic-demise.ars

Microsoft can get it right when it is focused. Take the XBox. That was run very well, with a clear direction, no infighting, no ‘let’s base it on Windows and run Office’, just a well executed device and they beat Sony with their second attempt.

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

That is one ugly phone :td:

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

I second that. It just looks awful! :td:

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

The Xbox 360 is a good example of what MS can do when they focus.

The original Xbox was a great console (I still have one somewhere), but it never really seemed to do well at the sales.

When they launched the 360, it may have had a boost because it was out first, but the PS3 had the advantage of being marketed under a well known brand (the PlayStation brand). An advantage that Apple has at the moment in the consumer mobile market, and an advantage that the 360 overturned in the games market.

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

It's the high sheep factor (HSF) that you get in business, which is actually why MS have done so well in business with their servers and desktop OS/software.
Due to the HSF in business you have companies running Windows and MS Office when there are cheaper and more stable alternatives out there. Other companies use MS for their servers an desktops therefore MS is the choice (otherwise why would so many people choose MS if it was the wrong choice?).
Similarly with BES, people wanted their emails on their phones, imap/pop3 was awkward, didn't cover meetings etc, so RIM came along with clunky BES.
MS have caught up, and unlike BES, their integration just works, you don't need extra software/licenses, and you don't need to pull the battery out because you can recieve emails but not calendar updates, or unlike the iPhone if you sync with your PC and via the phone you don't end up with duplicate contacts/emails/calendar entries.

MS have never seen the true potential of CE and PDAs, even while developers could and released apps to try and achieve it.

Re: Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'
 

The HSF you get in business that is also known by the phrase "No one ever got fired for buying IBM".
:D