KIN to go on sale tomorrow but will you really want one? Probably not.
Ah yes.. Microsoft’s new KIN ONE and KIN TWO messaging phones will be available starting tomorrow at www.verizonwireless.com as well as Verizon Wireless Communications stores – although the real question is – will you really want one?
Before getting into what people are already saying about the new phones, let’s get into the pricing details first.
The KIN ONE will be available for $49.99 and the KIN TWO will be available for $99.99 – both after a $100 dollar mail-in rebate and a new two-year customer agreement. The rebate will be delivered in the form of a debit-card.
Verizon Wireless customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and an Email/Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide Talk plans start at $39.99 per month and Email/Web for Smartphone plans start at $29.99 per month for unlimited monthly access.
If you’re not familiar with the KIN ONE and TWO, check out our previous coverage on the handsets (and yes, these are NOT Windows Phone 7 phones..).
OK.. so now back to what people are saying about the new KIN handsets (and it’s not very good right now) Here’s a quick summary of the various reviews:
PC Mag on the KIN ONE:
“The Microsoft Kin One could have been a cute messaging phone, but it’s being sold as an under-powered smartphone.”
PC Mag on the KIN TWO:
“The Microsoft Kin Two isn’t quite a smartphone, but it’s a heady drug for Facebook obsessives.”
Engadget on the KIN ONE and KIN TWO:
“there are much better choices for much less money on the market, and Microsoft hasn’t demonstrated to us why you would choose this phone over those.”
Gizmodo on the KIN handsets:
“As a dumbphone killer, the Kin is an easy pitch. As a smartphone competitor, it’s hopeless”
BGR previews the KIN TWO, saying:
“The real issue is that we cannot remember a phone in recent memory that has felt so cheap and so clunky to use. Seriously. For some reason — and I am really not exaggerating here — I do not remember ever being so frustrated with a phone. It is slow and far from intuitive.”
Basically – if you’re looking to get a smartphone, you might as well skip over the KIN handsets. If you’re looking for a basic mobile phone (aka a cell phone), then maybe check out the KIN phones (just maybe).
