The KIN Loop – KIN phone homescreen
The KIN 1, small, hand-held phone
The KIN 2, larger rectangle phone
http://kin.com
The Microsoft KIN phones debuted today, videos provide a quick visual overview. Basically the specs aren’t far off from standard smartphones currently out:
Side by side comparison of KIN One and Two
KIN One:
- Compact keyboard, similar to a Blackberry or Palm Pre
- Roughly 2×2 touchscreen, maybe just under 2 inches across.
- 5.0 Megapixel camera with flash, also shoots Standard Definition video
- Speaker for speakerphone and audio
- 4 GB of memory
- Media player (video / audio)
KIN TWO
- Slide out keyboard, longer / wider
- Touchscreen 2.5 x 1.5 approx.
- 8.0 Megapixel Camera with flash, shoots HD video
- Stero speakers instead of mono
- 8 GB of memory
- Media player (video / audio)
The phones appear to be made by Sharp and are set to be available on the Verizon mobile network set to compete with Android, Microsoft Windows Mobile, Palm and Apple phones (all but Apple available on Verizon). There is no mention of an apps store per se, but if the phone does support apps they will be through the Zune marketplace that currently provides apps for the Zune HD ( Zune Apps although at the moment the Zune site is showing a handful of apps. Also unavailable is the price of these devices, however it is reasonable to conclude that if they cost about the same as similar phones they will competitive. Poplularity of the phones will be subject to existing market share, although at first glance neither phone appears to be a “windows” phone so prospective buyers who want simiplicity in their phone may choose this over other options.
My opinion: It seems cool, but I’d rather have an android phone. why? I’m not bothered by complexity and I don’t want a smartphone with a gigantic UI. I’d chose a Palm phone over a KIN phone for the same price, although I think I’d pick a KIN phone before a iphone. It will definitely NOT surprise me if yet another Microsoft attempt to get mobile phone market share comes out lukewarm and half-baked but here’s hoping for the best. Oh wait, I’m not hoping they do good either.
-H24X7-