By 
Social networking addicts and occasional Facebook users, wait no more! Verizon wireless is set to launch Microsoft’s newest social media phones, the Kin 1 and Kin 2. Both models will be available at Verizon’s website starting May 6. With a 2-year contract and mail-in rebate, the Kin 1 and Kin 2 will be priced at $49.99 and $99.99 respectively. Although the price tags for the actual phones aren’t that hefty, the minimum data plan required to use their essential features is. The voice plan will cost $39.99, and the data plan will cost $29.99, totaling at $70.00 per month.
While the Kin is a big step forward in terms of merging social networking applications with everyday phone use, it falls short of being a true smartphone. This is because you will not be able to install additional apps, also, there are no maps, calendar or games, as well as not having YouTube integration. In addition, the $70 monthly plan is excessive, since the device is targeted at teenagers and younger people, and will be difficult to accommodate for most this age group. I hope that there will be cheaper alternative plans in the future, because it is hard to justify spending $70 a month on a phone that isn’t a full smartphone. We will be receiving both devices soon, so stay tuned for the full review.
Kin 1 Technical Specifications:
- Display : 2.6” TFT, QVGA (320×240), Capacitive Touchscreen
- Dimensions: 3.25” x 2.5” x .75”
- Weight: 3.9 ounces
- Battery: 1240 mAh – 210 hours standby
- Memory: 256MB RAM
- Physical Keyboard: QWERTY Keyboard (Vertical slide)
- Connectivity: 3G, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
- Camera: 5.0MP CMOS Anti-shake, Autofocus, LED Flash, Video
- Zune-powered Music, TV, Movies, Podcast, FM Radio Experience-Over-the-air streaming
- Storage: 4GB
Kin 2 Technical Specifications:
- Display: 3.4 inch TFT, HVGA (480×320), Capacitive Touchscreen
- Dimensions: 4.25” x 2.5” x .75”;
- Weight: 4.7 ounces
- Battery: 1390 mAh – 232 hours standby.
- Memory : 256MB RAM
- QWERTY Keyboard (Horizontal slide)
- Connectivity : 3G, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
- Camera : 8.0MP HDR CMOS Anti-shake, Autofocus, LED Flash, HD (720p) Video
- Zune-powered Music, TV, Movies, Podcast, FM Radio Experience-Over-the-air streaming
- Storage : 8GB
