The Microsoft Kin and its eight weeks of glory

7. The Microsoft Kin and its eight weeks of glory

Microsoft's Kin was one of the most short-lived gadgets in recent history, staying on shelves less than two months before being discontinued by the software giant. The phone was designed as something in between a smartphone and a feature phone, but critics and consumers alike panned its pricey data plan.

Microsoft laid on a heavy marketing push, getting the Kin in TV shows and other media. But it was a bust. Instead, the Ballmer gang focused development on Windows Phone 7, which hit store shelves earlier this month.

But this Kin may turn out to be hard to kill. The phone resurfaced on Verizon a few weeks ago after a five-month hiatus with a few changes. Namely, that data plan is gone. So far both Microsoft and Verizon have stayed mum on why the device made its return, and neither company is promoting it again, so we don't exactly know how the Kin escaped from the Isle of Misfit Toys just in time for the holidays.