Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'

[Ben B]

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/

Discussing what?

[Ben B]

Sorry, edited post 1

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

Done.

[cookie_365]

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

Sorry mods, just too tempting

[Ben B]

Originally Posted by Chris

Done.

Thanks

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

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.....

[Ben B]

Originally Posted by foreverwar

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.....

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

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.

[Hom3r]

Originally Posted by cookie_365

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

Sorry mods, just too tempting

I see websites being setup as we speak

[Xaccers]

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.

[Kymmy]

Woops

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

Microsoft has cancelled the European launch of its Kin mobile phone, less than three months after unveiling it with great fanfare.

The phone has been available on Verizon in the US since May, but it is rumoured that only 500 Kins have been sold.

[Stuart]

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.

[ZrByte]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

SNIP!!!
(probably based on Windows Phone 7 and Xbox branded) for home use.

They could call it the Windows PhoneboX

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.