One of the central features of Microsoft's just-announced Kin phone is the "Loop" feature, which shows recent updates from a variety of social networks.
However, not only doesn't the Loop get automatically updated with new posts, but it refreshes itself only every 15 minutes. Those who want updates more frequently have to either open the Kin's built-in feed reader application or lock and unlock the phone. (The Kin automatically fetches new updates when it is unlocked.)
Microsoft characterized the setting as a battery-saving move for the phone, which is aimed at the 15- to 30-year-old &… Read more
Federal Communications Chairman Julius Genachowski tried to convince broadcasters to support his plans to reauction TV wireless spectrum during a speech he gave Tuesday at the industry's annual trade show sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters in Las Vegas.
Genachowski said the additional spectrum is needed to ensure that U.S. wireless operators can meet the growing demand for wireless broadband services. He said new smartphone devices, such as the Apple iPhone and the Motorola Droid, are causing a 40-fold increase in demand compared to a three-fold increase in spectrum for mobile broadband coming online. He said the … Read more
Well, CNET is here to try to clear some things up. We'll try to answer as many questions about the device as possible. And, if we missed one, just let us know and we'll do our best to track down an answer.
SAN FRANCISCO--The Kin isn't the iPhone and it doesn't have to be.
That was the message from both Microsoft and Verizon Wireless executives at the launch of the new smartphone line on Monday.
Instead of focusing on apps, the Kin focuses on bringing together in one interface all the social networking and other tools that the "upload generation" wants in its phone.
But executives also took pains to characterize the Kin One and Kin Two as entry-level smartphones, not part of the feature phone market that they admit is in decline.
Instead, they tried to create a new niche aimed at those who are really into social networking but haven't gotten what they want on their phone.
In an interview, Microsoft Entertainment and Devices President Robbie Bach and Verizon Senior Vice President John Harrobin made their case for their new family of phones. Here's an edited transcript:
A couple real quick questions. Add-on applications, yes or no? Bach: From a marketplace standpoint, there's certainly a video and music marketplace. There isn't an app marketplace, but we do support over-the-air (upgrades), so we have an opportunity as we get feedback from customers to add additional things if we choose.
We had to make a choice early on, are we going to do an integrated experience or one that is an app-specific experience. We chose from the start to be an integrated experience and I think you see that. We concentrated on the apps we thought this audience would want...Twitter, Facebook, that all comes with the device.
The user picks up this phone and they don't have to install anything. They don't have to start anything. They just have to enter their account.
Zune video--is that over the air or do you download that from your computer?… Read more
SAN FRANCISCO--The fact that Microsoft and Verizon picked a nightclub to launch the Kin tells you a lot about their target market.
The short and squat Kin One and the wider-screened Kin Two are two shapes for the same idea--the mobile phone for those who want to broadcast their every thought, sight, and sound--"lifecasters," as Microsoft's Robbie Bach called them. Although many phones have Facebook or Twitter applications, social networking is at the heart of the Kin. Sharing has its own dedicated green button and is at the center of the Kin experience.
The target demographic is men and women between 15 and 30, said Bach, who runs Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices unit. The two companies said the phones would launch next month, but didn't say exactly when during the month, nor would either company talk at all about pricing.
Aside from their shape, the two devices are very similar. Both are touch-screen sliders running the same software. The Kin Two has a better camera (8 megapixels versus 5MP), double the memory (8GB versus 4GB), and a bigger screen.
These aren't a run at the iPhone. Bach stressed that Microsoft's general smartphone play is the Windows Phone 7 operating system, which will start showing up on devices this fall. In fact, there's not even an app store for Kin users to go to, although Microsoft and Verizon can push updates or add-on programs themselves over the air.
There are several key things built into the Kin, including the first phone implementation of the Zune service. The phones can play Zune video and music that is loaded onto the device from a PC, and Kin owners can also stream music over the air while they're on the go. … Read more
During an event Monday morning, Microsoft announced that it has teamed with Verizon on a pair of feature phones for the youthful Facebook crowd. The Kin One and Kin Two are the first in the Windows Phone family to come with the Zune music service. The following is a record of our live coverage from the event:
SAN FRANCISCO--Microsoft and Verizon on Monday will be introducing two new feature phones, code-named Turtle and Pure, aimed at the always-connected messaging crowd.
The pair of slider phones, each with a touch screen and keyboard, can be thought of as successors to the Sidekick line that Microsoft got with its Danger acquisition. Part of a long-running internal project called "Pink," they will be heavy on social networking and also will be the first phones to be able to access the Zune music service.
How will they stack up against the iPhone? They're not really intended to compete with Apple's juggernaut, but they may well help Microsoft regain its footing in the phone business. Plus, adding scale to the Zune community could help make the Zune feature of Windows Phone more compelling.
We'll be at the event--the start time is 10 a.m. PDT--where the phones will be unveiled, bringing you the action right here as it unfolds. So bookmark this post and check back for all the details.
9:21 a.m. PDT: The press is huddled outside Mighty, the club where Microsoft is holding the event. They haven't let us in yet.
So far, I haven't gotten anyone to confirm rumors the devices will be dubbed "Kin."
9:57 a.m. PDT: We're all inside the club. Lounge music playing softly as Ritual Coffee Roasters brew is being served to warm us up. Nothing going on yet. Various video monitors are running a slideshow of images similar to those on the invitation. The main screen carries the Sharp, Windows phone, Verizon, and Vodaphone logos.
10:00 a.m. PDT: We just got the five-minute warning.
10:02 a.m. PDT: Confirmed: It's Kin One and Kin Two. Microsoft's Kin site is live here, with pictures and details. … Read more
Boingo Wireless executives are a bit red-faced this weekend after mistakenly informing the company's customers of a radical billing plan change being instituted apparently without their input or consent.
The Wi-Fi hot spot provider sent an e-mail to its customers Saturday informing them that the company was immediately canceling their flat-fee monthly subscription plans and replacing it with a "Day Pass" plan that bills for a 24-hour period each time a customer logs in to the network.
Here's a snippet of the e-mail a Boingo subscriber provided to CNET:
The U.S.-based subscriber who provided … Read more
Rumors of the iPhone coming to Verizon Wireless may have some consumers in the U.S. wondering about resulting cost savings for the device. But will more competition really mean lower prices?
Six months after the iPhone market opened up in the United Kingdom for the iPhone, prices have only dipped slightly. But compared to prices from AT&T, the iPhone's exclusive carrier in the U.S., Brits are still getting a much better deal than Americans.
When Apple announced its exclusive contract for the iPhone with O2 Wireless was expiring in the U.K. last September, the … Read more
Research In Motion is making a play for the automotive market, announcing Friday its acquisition of QNX Software Systems from Harman International. QNX brings an open-platform operating system to the game and RIM is looking to advance it in the automotive world.
In a statement, RIM President and co-CEO Mike Lazaridis said:
RIM is excited about the planned acquisition of QNX Software Systems and we look forward to ongoing collaboration between Harman, QNX and RIM to further integrate and enhance the user experience between smartphones and in-vehicle audio and infotainment systems. In addition to our interests in expanding the opportunities … Read more
What's the #1 music streaming-app for iOS? Who wins in an iPhone v. S4 faceoff? We've got it covered with iPhone news, rumors, app recommendations, and more.
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