Microsoft launches a new phone: 'KIN'

[Ben B]

Good job I got a BlackBerry instead then...

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Chris

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.

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.

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.

[alferret]

That is one ugly phone

[Jimmy-J]

Originally Posted by alferret

That is one ugly phone

I second that. It just looks awful!

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Damien

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.

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.

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

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.

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.

[Stuart]

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