Microsoft announces KIN One and Two - no WP7 on board, but you can share
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Yep, you heard that right - the Microsoft KIN ONE and KIN TWO are not Windows Phone 7 (remember it's without Series now) smartphones (though the software shares some core elements with WP7), but feature phones, as they do not have support for 3rd party apps. So Microsoft introduces them simply as Windows Phones. So what interface are they running then? It wouldn't be a mistake to say they are running the KIN UI. They are that different from what one would expect from the company. The KIN ONE and TWO are designed for users of social networks or people who just enjoy sharing... different stuff. And judging by what was shown at the event today, you have to enjoy really LOTS of sharing in order to fall in love with the KIN ONE and TWO.
So the KIN ONE is the Turtle. And it has a slide-out portrait QWERTY keyboard and capacitive QVGA touchscreen, which will let you interact with the custom interface. It has a 5MP camera with flash and 4GB of internal storage space. The KIN TWO is the more powerful of the two (and also the bulkier) with capacitive HVGA display, 8MP camera with HD 720p video capture and flash, as well as 8GB of storage space. Both phones will have a Zune HD player to handle your multimedia, like in Windows Phone 7, as well as Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity.
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Microsoft KIN One | ||
The KIN interface is very reminiscent of the simplistic style of Windows Phone 7, although it's like it's taken to the next level here. Your homescreen, called KIN Loop, will flood you with information about updates from social networks, news from your chosen sites, etc. It will be highly personalizable, so it will show information that's only important to you. From here, you can utilize the so-called KIN Spot (the area at the bottom-center of the screen) in order to share things. When you see an interesting news story for example, you can simply tap-and-drag it to the KIN Spot. You'll then be prompted to choose the people you want to share this with, and then you're done. And that's all, we told you it's all about sharing with these devices.
The browser is not Internet Explorer Mobile, but a proprietary one that is said to be based on the Zune HD's browser. You still have the pleasures of pinch-to-zoom functionality. From here you can also quickly share things using the KIN Spot.
And finally, Microsoft has also announced KIN Studio as an accompanying service. Basically, almost all that you do on your KIN phone will be automatically backed up on the Studio. It is a cloud-based service, which can be accessed from any computer you want. There you'll find all your taken pictures, videos, text messages, etc. There will also be a timeline, which will allow you to kind of go back in time and see your activity.
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As rumored, Verizon Wireless will be carrying the Microsoft KIN ONE and KIN TWO, starting in May, while Vodafone will be offering the phones in Europe this fall.
Microsoft KIN One Specifications
Microsoft KIN Two Specifications
source: Microsoft, Engadget
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Microsoft KIN Two |
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23 Comments
1. dswatson83 posted on 20 Oct 2010, 01:45 0 0
The kin page is all flash and silverlight so kiss viewing it on your ipad goodbye. As stuff like this keep surfacing, its really showing the ipads limitations. Go Kin
3. BrokenImaege posted on 12 Apr 2010, 13:52 0 0
I like the look of the KIN 2 with its specs as well. Disaapointed though about APP support. But I guess they really are pushing WIN 7 development. If anything too, these are entry level to get people into future Win 7 phones later down the road. Not really stoked on KIN 1 though. Looks like its designed more towards kids and women....
20. easytochris posted on 13 Apr 2010, 12:20 0 0
I just did my training on it and the studio is going to make this phone successful hands down. it's UI is really intriguing and easy to use.
4. Landmarkcm posted on 12 Apr 2010, 13:56 0 0
I kinda like these look streamlined although I love my Android Moment. Camera specs look good. Any chance of comming to Sprint?? Prob not damn Verizon lol.
12. PapaJay224 posted on 12 Apr 2010, 16:55 0 0
Palm took a crap because they went to Sprint with there crown jewel...Microsoft isnt taking any chances...they want this thing advertised they want it out there they want to make sales....Do you see ANY publicity on the EVO 4g? NOPE thats because Sprint cant afford to until launch...If it were Verizon youd be seeing it feeling it and wanting it just like Droid...Sprint doesnt have that Kind of money to support this kind of device. VZW all the way I am certain this phone is going to be for a targeted audience but will do extremely well
19. phonedemocracy posted on 13 Apr 2010, 11:05 0 0
I've seen more Sprint commercials on TV that AT&T or Verizon. They also sponsor or have a connection with the show 24, since they only use Sprint devices on the show. The reason that Sprint isn't advertising the EVO 4G is because its not out for a while, and they dont want everyone to wait for it to come out and not purchase other Sprint phones. That's just smart marketing. And Palm took a crap on itself. At my store every Pixi I have sold came back with some mechanical failure or people didn't like it. Every, single, damn, one. And even the Pre had serious hardware issues.
22. fishpower187 posted on 16 Apr 2010, 13:12 0 0
yeah Sprint does have a sponsorship with a show that has been cancelled. VZW has sponsorships that really exploit product placement too, basically everything you see on the CW (ANTM, Gossip Girl, 90210, etc) and Law and Order just to name a few. Heck, VZW is STILL showcasing the HUB on GG. trippy...
5. ibap posted on 12 Apr 2010, 13:58 0 0
Hey, @BrokenImage - quit pickin' on women! (Says the female user of Sprint HTC TP2 with numerous apps and regedit mods. And who is waiting breathlessly for the HTC EVO 4G - not that 4G is going to do me much good where I live.)
6. ibap posted on 12 Apr 2010, 14:03 0 0
One and Two, huh? Makes me think of one-fish, two-fish, red fish, blue fish!
8. Sharky posted on 12 Apr 2010, 15:14 0 0
So no app support? Not even Zune Marketplace apps? Come on... I like them, but without any app support it kinda makes them meh.
9. slashafk posted on 12 Apr 2010, 16:16 0 0
If Google integrated more things from the Kin's online and phone syncing (like picture sync, message sync, etc.) onto Android, it would be the perfect phone. If i have to hard reset my phone, all of my texts are gone but if they're saved online, I can just re-download them :D
10. jrcrow79 posted on 12 Apr 2010, 16:20 0 0
meh..CDMA is where everyphone gets screwed with far more advanced features compared to GSM's advancement to be able to surf n talk sametime! These Things look no more like an HD camcorder with built in social apps...thats it?
13. corporateJP posted on 12 Apr 2010, 16:58 0 0
Because everyone really needs the feature where you talk and browse. SMH. Get over it. People can do Wifi and talk at the same time on a Droid, so now what? Go cry over the lack of support you'll be getting on your first gen iPhone in the coming months.
15. rjt185 posted on 12 Apr 2010, 17:52 0 0
Too bad the 3G coverage for the fancy "surf & talk" is so limited you might as well find the nearest WiFi hotspot.
11. PapaJay224 posted on 12 Apr 2010, 16:50 0 0
First of All "Kin One" and Kin TWO" Sounds a lot more like a Microsoft product than phone arenas Crap names "Turtle" and "Pure" I knew those names wouldnt stick for nothing. You have a browser called Bing, and MP3 called ZUNE, and a Phone called Kin. BING-ZUNE-KIN sounds like a street fighter word, lol...these look nice probably targeted for 11-19 year old, good ideas...Id like to know screen sizes though Also @JRCROW79, thats pretty stupid...Im pretty sure you are luke wilson in desguise. CDMA is exactly what this phone needs to operate at the speeds its meant to.
17. Sharky posted on 12 Apr 2010, 18:38 0 0
BTW, is SanDisk no longer a partner? All this talk about the internal storage and cloud storage makes me think it probably won't. But then why did they announce that their products were compatible with these phones?
