PS Vita: Where’s the GPS (Apps)?
The PlayStation Vita would probably have a great second coming, if it offered up one killer app. While the hardware may be there, the software sure isn’t. The PlayStation Vita is in a unique spot. Almost the same spot where Microsoft’s KIN was a long time ago. It’s a finished device that went too upscale. […]
Verizon (Re)launches Kin One and Kin Two
Following up on a previous report, Verizon has relaunched the Kin One and Kin Two as the Kin Onem and Kin Twom. The phones are available for $19.99 and $49.99 after new 2 year agreement respectively with access to cheaper data plans starting at $15/month for 150MB of access. The Kin One features a 2.4 […]
Microsoft: No More Mobile Hardware Development
In an unsurprising move and confirming just how far the failure of the Kin hardware initiative reached into Microsoft, Mobile Communications Business CFO Tivanka Ellawala has confirmed that the software giant will instead focus solely on Windows Phone 7 instead of developing mobile hardware. Speaking to investors in San Francisco, Ellawala stated that “We are […]
Verizon: No Windows Phone 7 Devices This Year
Speaking to Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Verizon representative Brenda Raney has confirmed that the carrier will not initially offer devices based on Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 operating system in October, with no plans to launch such devices at any point during the remainder of the year. The carrier does plan support the new platform in 2011 and […]
Microsoft Kin Team Moved to Windows Phone 7 Development
The team responsible for Kin development has been moved to Windows Phone 7 development according to the following tweet from their now protected Twitter account: “This is our last tweet from this account. The team is now working on Windows Phone 7 & would love to hear from you @windowsphone.†This follows the latest minor […]
Microsoft Updates Kin Twitter Functionality Again
Microsoft has once again quietly updated the Twitter functionality on the Kin series of devices, adding inline image preview from image links and in the Online section of the Pictures/Camera application with pinch to zoom support for full screen images. Other changes also include select Twitter replies appearing in the Comments feed although image uploads, […]
Microsoft Updates Kin with Minor Twitter Improvements
In keeping with previous statements to update devices already sold, the Microsoft Kin series is currently receiving its first update designed to improve Twitter functionality, centered on Twitter avatars in the KIN Loop, status appearances similar to Facebook and Myspace status updates with a comment form and feed, linking Twitter contacts to KIN contacts and […]
Verizon to Halt Kin Sales In-Store Today (Updated)
Following Microsoft’s decision to kill the Kin platform earlier this month and a massive fire sale after low sales (rumored to be between 500-8000 devices total depending on who’s counting) two months after launch, Verizon employees have confirmed that sales of the Kin One and Kin Two devices will be halted today in stores. The […]
Amazon.com Selling KIN One and KIN Two Off in Fire Sale
You have to give Microsoft’s consumer devices and entertainment divisions credit; they at least know how to throw a good fire sale. The last couple of fire sales from the company included $49 HD DVD players, as well as permitting retailers to sell older Xbox 360 for as low as $99 after taking into account […]
T-Mobile Discontinues Sidekick Following KIN Phaseout
T-Mobile has confirmed that they will stop selling the Sidekick line of phones. The move comes a day after Microsoft announced that KIN will be phased out, in order to focus on Windows Phone 7. These two moves, combined with the phaseout of Windows Mobile Standard, leave Microsoft without a single feature phone offering. The […]