Samsung recently released one of its first phone offerings that runs the Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system. Windows Phone 7 has been out for months but it is only now that it is getting more traction with manufacturers like Samsung. [Read more…]
The Microsoft Kin: Wait, what about Windows Phone 7?
So Microsoft just announced not just one but two new phones. Calling them Kin One and Kin Two (no, seriously), these are Windows Phones designed specifically for people who are actively navigating their social lives. Brought to life through partnerships with Verizon Wireless, Vodafone and Sharp Corporation, KIN is designed to be the ultimate social experience that blends the phone, online services and the PC with breakthrough new experiences called the Loop, Spot and Studio. KIN will be exclusively available from Verizon Wireless in the U.S. beginning in May and from Vodafone this autumn in Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.
The thing is, didn’t just Microsoft announce Windows Phone 7? And isn’t everyone like praising Microsoft’s new phone operating system to high heavens? So why is Microsoft going to release another phone that’s social network-centric, but has no app store – or even any ability to create apps at all? And why make one that is competing with Windows Phone 7? It really sounds like a dumb marketing strategy, but when you take a closer look at it, it’s actually brilliant.
According to Engadget:
Last year, something like 200 million smartphones were sold. Lots. But that’s only one sixth of the total phone market of 1.2 billion phones, as reported by Gartner.
No matter how fast the iPhone market is growing, and how badly Microsoft wants to get back into that business, there’s other action to be had. And if Kin’s cost is kept low—both the handset price and the monthly data fees—then going after Samsung and LG and Nokia, hoping to draw people away from their cheap generic phones, could be easier than fighting Apple and Google (and BlackBerry and Palm). If so, then there’s success to be had, too.
Ah, there we go. The Kin is made for people who would like to be connected with their social networks all the time without worrying about apps to install or anything of that sort. I can see it now: a Windows Phone 7 phone for me and my needs, and probably a Kin for my 16-year old cousin who only wants to tweet and post to Facebook. Sweet.
Microsoft drops “Series” from Windows Phone 7 Series
Um, finally?
So everyone was pretty fine with Microsoft’s mobile operating system being called “Windows Mobile.” In fact, it made sense. However, Windows Mobile has become a bloated operating system and it was about time Microsoft let it go. Their new mobile operating system looks good so far. In fact, their new operating system looks gorgeous, with a user interface that blows the iPhone’s clear out of the water.
I, however, have to take an issue with the name Microsoft chose for the new OS. Windows Phone 7 Series? It’s like a committee slapped the name together. Heck, I won’t even be surprised if that’s exactly what happened.
Anyway, it looks like Microsoft’s finally trying to clean up the new OS’s name. In a tweet from Windows Phone’s official account, the Windows Phone team said:
Tis the season for Series finales. We’ve got one too – dropping the ‘Series’ and keeping the ‘Windows Phone 7.’ Done.
Again, I must say it’s about time. The old name was clunky and, well, annoying. Windows Phone 7. Mmmmm. Also, hopefully this isn’t an April Fool’s Joke.