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Microsoft debuts Kin social-networking smartphones

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 13 Apr 2010 at 08:54

Microsoft has unveiled two smartphones aimed at "the social-networking generation" dubbed the Kin One and Kin Two.

The two phones feature a customised interface running on a stripped-down version of Windows Phone 7 that places a heavy slant on social networking.

Kin Loop displays information from all the user's social networks on the home screen, and Kin Spot allows users to drag videos, pictures, location data and webpages to a green spot on the screen, which will be automatically shared with their contacts.

Both phones have a capacitive touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi connection, Bluetooth and 3G, however the Kin One features 4GB of internal storage, and a five megapixel camera with LED flash, bolstered to an eight megapixel camera and 8GB of internal storage on the Kin Two.

Microsoft claims the lack of internal storage isn't an issue because the phones come with "bottomless" online storage for pictures, videos and other information.

However, the devices come with significant limitations. There's no support for apps and the custom browser doesn't support Flash or Silverlight, somewhat restricting the browsing experience.

The two slider smartphones will begin shipping in May in the US, though UK users will have to wait until autumn when the Kin devices will be available through Vodafone.

Pricing information will be released closer to launch.

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User comments

Great! Another pointless gadget to clutter up the desk drawer. Call me cynical but isn't the world becoming saturated with these toys?

By underscore on 13 Apr 2010

Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!

@underscore
Er, you do know you don't have to buy it, right?

I still haven't heard how MS are going to assure users that they're not going to suffer another Danger data outage or what they would do if this happened again. Once bitten, twice shy?

By mviracca on 13 Apr 2010

Not for me

I don't use Bookface or have a MyPage so I guess this is definatly not aimed at me.

It's interesting (if your a 14 year old girl) but what advantage does this have over any other Smartphone with a Facebook app?

By JStairmand on 13 Apr 2010

Umm...

Kin Pointless....

In this day and age if it doesn't support apps, flash or silverlight then why bother? Come on MS, why go through all the trouble to bring out these phones then cripple them before they've even been released?

By everton2004 on 13 Apr 2010

Heaven knows I'm miserable now

@JStairmond - I'm 99% sure that no teenage girls read PC Pro (at least not for fun) so I guess we'll never know the answer.

By pbryanw on 13 Apr 2010

@JStairmand I'm guessing the one big advantage will be price. The handset costs very little and the data plans are a lot less than a smartphone. It's not for me either but neither are Star Wars toys and they do pretty well. Maybe a strange analogy but you have to remember that these aren't for tech fans and it's only tech fans on this site.

By TimoGunt on 13 Apr 2010

@everton2004

You're take on the 'kin name is just what I thought - what 'kin idiot in Microsoft comes up with these 'kin labels? Maybe it was the same 'kin fool that thought of the name 'OneCare' as well.

As for lack of Flash & Silverlight: odd, yes - but it hasn't stopped the iPhone selling. No doubt we'll have the Macfanbois saying "M$ is copying Apple once again".

By greemble on 13 Apr 2010