Commentary

Microsoft Sets Kiddie Table With Kin, And It's Not Moving To The Grown-Up One Anytime Soon

Kin One

With Microsoft debuting its long-rumored line of smartphones aimed at young, social media-savvy users, early reviews for the Kin devices have been mostly positive, with a couple of glaring flaws pointed out by critics. Microsoft probably benefits from lowered expectations in the consumer mobile market because of its dismal track record in the segment.

Merely not falling on its face with the new phones was bound to grant some level of approval. "So we think Kin will be -- finally -- a successful foray for Microsoft into the consumer mobile world," wrote Forrester Research analyst Charles Golvin in a blog post, noting the gadget promotes text, social networking and photo- and video-sharing at the expense of voice, in line with its intended 15- to 30-year-old audience.

One unique feature called the "Spot" allows users to share photos, video clips, text messages, Web pages and other content simply by dragging them to one icon on the screen. But despite acknowledging such innovations that embrace cloud computing, it wasn't lost on anyone that the Kin doesn't support third-party applications. Isn't that a core offering of any smartphone nowadays? It's as if Microsoft looked at Apple's 4 billion app downloads and said, "let's do the opposite of whatever they're doing" and see how it works. Bad idea.

"Microsoft claims to have interviewed up to 50,000 people to help it determine the best features for the phone. Microsoft must have somehow found the last 50,000 people on earth who don't want apps on their phones," blogged Computerworld's Preston Gralla.

Likewise, the Kin devices don't run Windows Phone 7, the forthcoming version of its mobile operating system Microsoft previewed in February and plans to release later this year in a new line of smartphones to compete more directly with the iPhone. Microsoft said Monday it foresees a path where Kin users could eventually upgrade to Windows Phone 7. But for now they'll have to stay at the smartphone equivalent of the kids' table, with their cute, app-less Kin devices, waiting to join the grownups someday.

Besides all the features Kin has or doesn't have, its success is likely to come down to its pricing and the type of plans offered with it. Neither Microsoft or wireless partner has provided any details in that regard yet. But affordability and pricing flexibility are keys to the youth market it's going after.

"Verizon will need to craft a bundle of voice, messaging, and data that protects their current smartphone pricing while competing against similar unlimited plans from Boost and Metro PCS at $50 per month and below," noted Golvin. Will Verizon offer no-contract, pre-paid plans like Boost Mobile, Metro PCS, Virgin Mobile and others? It would be a smart move if Microsoft wants to compete with the incumbent players -- but that doesn't it's going to happen.

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