Kin One & Kin Two

The Kin is the very first phone that uses Microsoft’s newest mobile OS, Windows Phone 7. Although the Kin uses a slightly stripped down version, it’s still considered a new mobile operating system. The Kin One and Two are available exclusively with the Verizon network, and only costing $49.99 and $99.99 for new customers. Very affordable, but at what cost?

There are downsides to the Kin. For one, the two new phones are manufactured by Sharp. Microsoft and Sharp have a lack of ‘technical synergy’ because the Kin was being planned out and developed even before Windows Phone 7 was announced. This leads me to believe that the Kin is more of a ‘gimmick’ product than anything else. In my opinion, Sharp is attempting to profit off of the ‘hype‘ surrounding Windows Phone 7.

Never purchase a new phone based on advertisements or what the media is saying. Do some research, especially if you’re looking to sign into a one or two year contract with Verizon. Personally, I’m going to pass on the Kin. Stick with HTC as your Windows Phone manufacturer.

“We spoke with representatives from Microsoft, Lenovo, Qualcomm, TI, Nokia, nVidia, HTC and many more and they all had just one message — Windows Mobile 7 is delayed until 2011,” a story posted to BSN’s site said. “We’re now certain that we won’t be seeing Windows Mobile 7 before World Mobile Congress in Barcelona in February 2011.” [bsn]

“If they were going to slip it [past 2010], they would have let us know [but] I don’t know why they’d miss because they know that every minute they miss, they’re losing partners,” Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. [in]

Most people have at least heard of Google stepping into the mobile phone market in 2010. Apparently Google and HTC were working closely together in 2009 to create a phone specifically designed for ‘Google Users’ (aka, almost everybody). Google’s superphone, now called the Nexus One, has been praised already for its performance and style. A few bloggers got a sneak peek of the Nexus One. In short, they said that “Google Phone = iPhone + a little extra screen and a scroll wheel. Great touch screen, and Android” [tc]. The Nexus One is purely a rebranded HTC phone that Google licensed. You might notice that the Nexus One looks awfully similar to the HTC Passion. No, you’re not tripping. Google probably chose the Passion to start from. Then, HTC and Google worked closely together in order to tailor the phone’s software and hardware to work seamlessly with almost any Google web application.

You might be thinking “Ok, Kyle. Now what does this have to do with Windows Mobile, let alone Windows Mobile 7?” Essentially, this proves that HTC is not siding with any particular mobile operating system. HTC manufactures Pocket PC’s and Smartphones… period. Too many people are speculating that Windows Mobile 7 is a lost cause, simply because they see HTC making phones for everyone but Microsoft these days. First off, that’s not true. HTC, if anything, is working closest to Microsoft. Hell, Windows Mobile still runs on 80% of all HTC phones. HTC and Microsoft are huge customers of each other. In fact, I wouldn’t doubt if Microsoft was HTC’s biggest client as far as sales volume goes.

Does this pose a threat to Windows Mobile 7? In reality, yes. However, it’s undeniably healthy for Microsoft AND Google to compete with each other in the mobile marketplace. I highly doubt that Microsoft’s and Google’s CEO are reclining back in their office chairs, counting their profits. No way. If anything, they’re getting a thrill out of the competition. Each company wants to be the best by having the best mobile phone. Hey, as consumers, this is the best thing possible for us. It drives prices down AND promotes better quality product. Right now the Nexus one is $530 directly from Google and $180 if you buy it from T-Mobile. You can use any unlocked GSM service carrier. Gotta love that.

HTC Russia, I mean. They’re still Russian. While most people probably can’t read the language, they’re leaking sensitive information about the new Windows phone. Also, the HTC HD2 will be getting the very first Windows Mobile 7 upgrade download.

Since Windows Mobile 7 will have new hardware expectations, only a select few of WM6 phones will actually be able to upgrade to WM7. I believe Microsoft and HTC are working closely together, in order to plan the release date of the new Windows Mobile operating system.

On January 6th there will be a conference that Sprint, Microsoft and LG leaders will host. The event is a secret right now, but rumors are speculating that the conference will involve some sort of major announcement involving WiMax technology being used in Microsoft’s upcoming Windows Mobile 7 operating system. LG (Life’s Good) will be manufacturing the WiMax Smartphones, it likely seems. Sprint will probably manufacturer their own WiMax Smartphones as well. Microsoft will be there to simply confirm that the news is true about WM7.

WiMax is a giant WiFi connection, essentially. It allows any internet-capable device to connect to the World Wide Web via an 802.16e connect. Watch the stock prices for these three corporations (MSFT, S, and LG) soar on the day of announcement, January 6, 2010. God bless capitalism.