Microsoft: the Kin and Windows Phone 7 Will Merge
When Microsoft and Verizon announced the new social networking Kin phones, critics jumped on the plan pricing required for them. Lacking the ability to download apps, the Kin One and Two are not full smartphones, yet the monthly data plan fee is more than some feel is justified. We spent quite a bit of time discussing that topic on the most recent episode of our podcast. The two companies are circling the wagons to defend the pricing for the Kins, as an interview with Computerworld shows.
The following statement from Microsoft is interesting, if a bit confusing concerning the future of both the Kin OS and Windows Phone 7:
“Over the longer term, we’ll be merging [Kin and Windows Phone 7] platforms and having downloadable apps,” said Greg Sullivan, senior product manager in Microsoft’s mobile communications unit.”
So if the platforms are going to merge anyway, and Windows Phone 7 is due to appear in just a few months, then why release the Kins at all? And will early adopters of the original Kin phones be able to enjoy the new features when they are finally released by Microsoft? Those (like me) confused by the release of the Kin phones in the first place, are probably more confused than ever.
A statement by Greg Sullivan, senior product manager in Microsoft’s mobile communications unit, will surely clear things up:
“If you want to amplify your life and are in searching mode, the Kin is for you, and if you want to simplify your life and manage things, then Windows Phone 7 is for you.”
All clear now?
“All clear now?”
ahhh…. not really.
People who were intending to use Windows Phone 7 should be worried that it will merge with Kin.
Kin is neither smart nor social. While lesser ‘feature phones’ run small Java apps (like IM apps or Opera Mini), what defines a smartphone is that it is a unique platform for running software that was written for that platform. Kin is definitely not a smartphone, and its lack of any apps puts it beneath the level of feature phone.
Kin is not going to last long. Nobody will buy this semi-functional device. Because it is a part of Windows Phone 7, and the forerunner to Windows Phone 7, the coming demise of Kin will be a very bad omen for the survival of its sibling, Windows Phone 7.
It is customary for Microsoft (with all Zune-related goodness) to release updated firmware code for all of their models, so I would certainly expect the Kin to get the Windows Phone 7 code … as long as the hardware designs meet the WP7 requirements. Otherwise, I would expect there to be some … alternate … version released.
Customary? Not sure what world you live in, but here on Earth, based on my WM phone history, my WM2003 can’t be upgrade to WM2003 SP2, WM2003 can’t be upgrade to WM5, WM5 can’t be upgrade to WM6, WM6.1 can’t be upgrade to WM6.5 and of course none of the above can be upgraded to Windows Phone 7. A totally new/different platform Kin upgradeable to Windows 7? Are you kidding? A new phone is required even on the same WindowsMobile platform, what makes you think Kin can be upgraded to WP7?
The man said “…With all Zune-related goodness…” As far as I can see he’s right, then again the only Zune related product Microsoft has updated has been err… the Zune. But yeah, most of Microsoft’s latest products have been updated to 2.0, and in some cases even 3.0 status. As for my Zune 30GB it’s been upgraded to 4.0. ;)
@sono
Actually, some 6.1 devices do have manufacturer and carrier support for 6.5, the HTC TP2 for one. It would seem rather silly wanting to upgrade any lesser device that had 6.0 or prior to something higher given the hardware specs of older devices. My old H6315 iPaq with it’s 200MHz processor would simply choke on the stuff I’m doing with my Touch Pro 2.
you’re wrong all around.. treos were upgraded from 5 to 6, tp2′s have been upgraded from 6.1 to 6.5
are you sure you’re from earth?
Guess I’ll be keeping my unlocked Touch Pro 2 for a while yet, apps, microSD card and all. WM6.5 is not as bad as some people will will say.
wm 6.5 is best out there and nothing has come close yet. when something is not in the “in” market, it gets put down.
Not sure what “Kin will merge with WP7″ means. It seems MSFT rep must be a typical messaging guy with very little technical knowledge (or quoted totally out of context).
What it means is that both Kin and Windows Phone 7 will fail. That’s how they’ll both merge
That last quote of meaningless marketing speak, about amplifying versus simplifying your life, made me physically queasy. It is the worst example in recent memory. Someone – probably a whole marketing and development team – has spent too much time talking to each other.
“Those (like me) confused by the release of the Kin phones in the first place, are probably more confused than ever.”
I think the “confusion” arises from the misconception that large corporations are single-minded monolithic entities. “Multi-headed hydras” is a more accurate description. Kin has a champion, either a senior manager or with one’s ear, with the ability to get the Kin done. Those down the chain don’t normally go against the flow. Consider the Kin just another Delbert moment.
I cannot see the platforms merging completely.
I believe from the statement that maybe the Application Market will be merged giving the Kin downloadable apps?
I don’t see a dedicated Start or Search hardware buttons; not even sure about a back button. By Microsoft’s own requirements, these will never be Windows 7 phones; the HD2 can’t even be upgraded because it lacks a search button.
And the Kin One doesn’t meet the minimum memory requirement.