“Microsoft Corp. unveiled two phones Monday that are meant for social networking-savvy teens and twenty-somethings, in an attempt to revitalize its mobile business and regain ground on iPhones and BlackBerrys,” Rachel Metz reports for The Associated Press.
“Microsoft said its new touch-screen phones — a short, square-shaped handset called Kin 1 and a longer, more rectangular one called Kin 2 — will be sold exclusively in the U.S. by Verizon Wireless,” Metz reports. “They are being made by Sharp Corp., which has produced Sidekick cell phones, whose software comes from Microsoft-owned Danger Inc.”
Metz reports, “Roz Ho, leader of the Microsoft team behind the Kin, said the company has been working on the Kin devices for several years, trying to create a handset for people who especially want to connect with others over social Web sites such as Facebook. The phones are also meant for people who want a handset that works simply, without forcing them to hunt through menus and icons, she said… The music player will be based on Microsoft’s Zune software, which until now has been only a standalone media player.”
Metz reports, “John Starkweather, who runs the digital marketing team behind the Kin, said the handsets will not be obviously branded as Microsoft products. They will sport a sizable ‘Kin’ logo on the back and, in smaller type, an indication that they are Windows phones from Verizon and Sharp, he said.”
Full article here.
Gizmodo has an image gallery of the phones here.
MacDailyNews Take: The cluelessness astounds – even with the knowledge that Ballmer is the “brains” behind the operation.
You gotta be soooooo out of touch to think that this ugly duckling will appeal to”social networking-savvy teens and twenty-somethings,” Microsoft’s stated target audience.
Talk about square…jeez, Balmer’s idea of hip is about as on target as his “squirting Zune”.
Obviously all that time spent heading up Microsoft’s Mac Business Unit didn’t rub off any good sense on Roz.
Isn’t this the “Turtle”?
Does it come in brown?
(awww I just had to ask
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Hahahahahahahahaha….. oh my…. Lets kill Facebook, lets screw our partners on the mobile side…
you can only type a smiley?
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” /> :0 etc. etc. BAD MOVE
Who cares
Roz Ho, leader of the Microsoft team behind the Kin, said the company has been working on the Kin devices for several years
What she means to say is since about summer 2007…
OMG LMAO!!! Do they have a MONKEY running their marketing dept or what?!!!! KIN???? R they serious?!!!
plastic paperweights.
‘kin hell, you just couldn’t make it up!
No Apps, Online storage, no thanks!
<Scottish accent>
Oh Lordy, you’re ‘Kin joking, right?
</Scottish Accent>
‘kin hell, having checked out the photshots I can’t stop laughing!
I don’t know anyone who’d want either of those phones.
It just keeps on getting worse for ms.
Kin. What a stupid name, esp. since their Seattle-neighbor has a KINdle.
ducking the chairs…
It’s not a phone, it’s a brick with a keyboard.
Kin I buy one, huh Pa? Kin I buy one now? Unkle Steve sez they be good.
This is April Fools, right?! I mean, come on…You’ve got to be joking here. This is the work piece of crap I’ve seen. Who is the market for this fecal material?
I think we have become spoiled by Apple to a certain extent. Ever since the iPhone came out, nothing comes close. We have been lulled by its simplistic beauty that whenever it is compared, nothing just comes close.
I disagree. These phones look awesome.
My kids will get an iPhone (when they are older and can take care of it) or a cheap Nokia for $ 30 (for emergency) and an iPod touch. But definitely no Kin.
“The company has been working on the Kin devices for several years”
And THIS is what they came up with? Tragic.
John Starkweather, who runs the digital marketing team behind the Kin, said the handsets will not be obviously branded as Microsoft products.
Just like with the Zune, they know they’re uncool. When you have to go to these kinds of lengths to hide the fact that the new products you’re unveiling are coming from you… well, perhaps you’re playing in the wrong market.
“…said the handsets will not be obviously branded as Microsoft products. They will sport a sizable ‘Kin’ logo on the back and, in smaller type, an indication that they are Windows phones from Verizon and Sharp, he said.”
So in other words, they are worried that “Windows” will drive down sales for these devices?
…the Kin folks said: Jed move away from there….
So we loaded up the truck and moved to Beverly…
The beauty of the iPhone model is that thanks to Apps, every phone is customizable for the individual user’s needs. Microsoft doesn’t get that, and never will.