Microsoft launches KIN smartphones

Microsoft has announced two new smartphones designed around social networking and the consumer market.

Dubbed KIN One and Two, the handsets have touch screens with gesture control, a hard QWERTY keyboard and an operating system that integrates with social networking applications from MySpace, Facebook, Windows Live and Twitter.

“We built KIN for people who live to be connected, share, express and relate to their friends and family,” said Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft.

“This social generation wants and needs more from their phone. KIN is the one place to get the stuff you care about to the people you care about most.”

The KIN One has 4GB of storage, a five megapixel camera, a 2.1 inch display and a mono speaker while the Two has 8GB, an eight megapixel camera capable of video, a 3.5 inch display and stereo speakers. Both phones, manufactured by Sharp, have FM radios, 3G connections and music and content software from Microsoft's Zune.

There is no removable storage on the handsets but the content synchronises automatically to a password protected web site via Microsoft Cloud services. This makes the same content available via PC and allows handsets to have settings restored if they are lost.

The operating system is similar to Windows Phone 7 but has a new interface, with social networking events at the top of the screen and a drag-to point called the Spot that instantly publishes content on the user's feeds.

There is however no calendar application on the handsets and no opportunities for developers to design or sell applications for the platform.

The handsets will launch with Verizon Wireless in the US in May and in Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom with Vodafone later in the year. No pricing or hardware specifications have been confirmed as yet.

“Mobile social networking is increasingly having strong appeal for our customers. KIN has a unique and intuitive way of engaging with the user, enabling them easily to share experiences and stay in touch with their friends,” said Patrick Chomet, Group Director of Terminals at Vodafone.

“Our aim is to provide our customers with the widest choice of attractive smartphones and the best-in-class experience of new services through Vodafone’s high-speed mobile broadband network. This announcement continues to deliver on our ambition to be the strongest provider of data-centric mobile experiences across platforms and operating systems,” Chomet concluded.

Stay tuned for local details.