• Information Week et al., Thursday, July 1, 2010 2:38 PM

In a huge setback for Microsoft's long-troubled mobile strategy, the tech giant is reportedly scrapping its Kin "social phone" just six weeks after its launch.

"Microsoft never confirmed (or denied) that only 500 Kins were sold, but it's clear that the [public] response has been completely underwhelming," reports Gizmodo. "Otherwise, why kill a project that was in development for years after just a few weeks? (And cost millions.)"

"Neither Verizon nor Microsoft would say how many devices were sold, but a source told CNET that the number of Kins sold thus far is more than 1,000 but south of 10,000--significantly below expectations," writes the publisher's Beyond Binary blog.

The move, according to The New York Times, "is the latest sign of disarray for Microsoft's recently reorganized consumer product unit."

"Microsoft's consumer products unit has struggled to offer a credible competitors to Apple's iPod and more recently the iPhone and an array of smartphones powered by Google's Android software," writes The Times. "Microsoft also recently canceled a project to develop a tablet computer that would compete with Apple's popular iPad."

The fated phone's biggest issue -- along with its "weird, non-specific faux hipster marketing" - was its price, adds Gizmodo. "Verizon priced Kin's monthly service like a smartphone, even though it wasn't one."

"It appears that Microsoft found out too late that no one was buying their story about how well these devices would be received by consumers," writes Daily Tech.

In the context of Microsoft's broader mobile strategy, Information Week says of the Kin's demise: "It does make you wonder though about their commitment to Windows Phone 7 ... It will not be a winner in year one, or year two ... It has a staggering task ahead of it to catch up to and surpass either the iPhone or Android ... Will Microsoft stick it out?"

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