Discussion about
As part of the Microsoft team that created KIN, it was incredibily exciting to finally show our new phones to world last week.
We've received a lot of positive feedback about the SPOT, LOOP, CAMERA and STUDIO. But we know that people still have a lot of questions. I'm going to be on GDGT off and on throughout the day. What do you want to know?
I want to say just one thing. Please keep the Data Plans low. Every single tech blog has said this that the Kin devices can be huge success, provided the pricing is kept apt. And please try to convince the parents that it would be good if their kids don't spend on Apps and iTunes. I think your bigger market will be the parents who'd give these devices to their kids. And please fit the Kin into some family plan. I don't want that such an aggressive move from MS falls due to some bad decisions.
How much space do these devices actually have? I get that they have 4GB/8GB for music and such but how about the photos and videos? How much photos/videos can you store or do they go online right away? Also do you view photos and videos through Kin's interface or Zune's and would they appear on your Zune in your PC?
Photos/videos are posted to STUDIO right away. You can also "favorite" a photo so that it's always available on your phone; same with side-loading content. There is a pretty good video overview on www.KIN.com. Look for the feature video titled "Camera." This should answer most of your questions.
Photos are not viewed through the Zune client.
Photos are not viewed through the Zune client.
Since KIN will not have an App Store or allow for side-loading of applications will it support Microsoft's OneApp? This seems to be a perfect fit for the KIN, if OneApp was on the Kin it would have access to new apps & services without any need to download and install an app. :)
Nothing to reveal or announce right now on additional applications. Out of the box we integrated a lot of experiences/features that on other phones would comprise several dozen separate applications. We literally worked with thousands of real people (our target customers) to prioritize the features we included in KIN and believe we have a very compelling offering. But with OTA capabilities the story will continue to evolve...
Questions:
1. Do you plan on filling the missing functionalities like a Calender, or IM with the OTA updates?
2. Do you have any plans of including the Zune Pass subscription charges within the Carrier Monthly Bill? Most of the people getting the Kin devices won't have a Credit Card, thus limiting their experience with the devices.
1. Do you plan on filling the missing functionalities like a Calender, or IM with the OTA updates?
2. Do you have any plans of including the Zune Pass subscription charges within the Carrier Monthly Bill? Most of the people getting the Kin devices won't have a Credit Card, thus limiting their experience with the devices.
WIll you guys ever make a WP7/Kin/Zune client for Mac? If you don't, you guys are just shooting yourself in the foot because there are SOOO many Mac users that want in on this stuff (especially Zune) and they don't want to use Boot Camp to do so. Your wisest move would be to make a Zune client for the Mac.
I'm pretty sure it's only used to side-load iTunes songs to the Kin...which is pretty lame. Mac needs a Zune client REALLY BAD. It's amazing hoe they have gone so long without it.
You need to use the Zune software to set up your Zune account on it.
ANd the first sync with WP7 and Kin to set up Zune HAS to be with the Zune software.
KIN and Windows Phone are really targeted at different types of people. KIN is focused on social and sharing where work/productivity aren't as important - it's also a pretty fixed end-to-end offering. Windows Phone 7 is a platform that is geared to appeal more broadly, and give OEMs and operators the ability to customize to some degree.
What's the story on foursquare support? I don't believe there's gps in the unit, so can you do some triangulating and get us a native foursquare app? If not, is there a way to seed the username and password to make logging in to the foursquare mobile site faster?
Thanks for the response! I will anxiously await further "announce[ments] on applications".
KIN will be a no-brainer for me if it has support for all leading social media sites out of the gate. In the absence of that, I could see folks hedging and choosing a you-know-who-phone.
KIN will be a no-brainer for me if it has support for all leading social media sites out of the gate. In the absence of that, I could see folks hedging and choosing a you-know-who-phone.
GPS? Are there any plans for integration with a navigation application? My wife really doesn't need/want a smartphone, but she definitely would like an integrated facebook, twitter, navigation phone.
Will there be any GSM version of this in the future?
Will there be a more capacious model also in the future?
Its zune functionality, can it wirelessly sync to your pc? Also Zune has a messaging system when sharing music and such, will this auto update without having to sync?
Will there be a more capacious model also in the future?
Its zune functionality, can it wirelessly sync to your pc? Also Zune has a messaging system when sharing music and such, will this auto update without having to sync?
Yes, we have a GSM version. Vodafone has already announced 4 countries: Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
Storage: initially the ONE has 4GB of ROM and the TWO has 8GB. We don't have anything else to announce/share yet, but keep in mind that with the KIN STUDIO that you have unlimited storage for photos and video. This frees up most of the gigabytes on your phone for music, etc. And with a Zune Pass you can store less content locally and stream more.
Storage: initially the ONE has 4GB of ROM and the TWO has 8GB. We don't have anything else to announce/share yet, but keep in mind that with the KIN STUDIO that you have unlimited storage for photos and video. This frees up most of the gigabytes on your phone for music, etc. And with a Zune Pass you can store less content locally and stream more.
I guess I should ask if those GSM version would be locked to that carrier. Would like to import if possible.
One more functionality question I remembered from Zune devices since this is almost a zune phone. Will this also have any type of video out? Not sure if this was ever discussed.
Question:
4. How frequently can we expect to see the devices get OTA updates? Bimonthly? Quarterly?
5. Does the Kin Studio has any storage limit?
6. Do you think you have taken enough measures to prevent another Sidekick like server failure? This time it would be a bigger task, considering the huge amount of data that will be stored by the Kin devices in the cloud, due to their High Res Cameras.
7. Is the FM Tuner in these devices the HD Radio, like in the Zune HD, or a simple one?
4. How frequently can we expect to see the devices get OTA updates? Bimonthly? Quarterly?
5. Does the Kin Studio has any storage limit?
6. Do you think you have taken enough measures to prevent another Sidekick like server failure? This time it would be a bigger task, considering the huge amount of data that will be stored by the Kin devices in the cloud, due to their High Res Cameras.
7. Is the FM Tuner in these devices the HD Radio, like in the Zune HD, or a simple one?
4. We'll share OTA schedules after phones go on sale. We've been running OTA updates internally and with Verizon and they work very well - both the small and major updates.
5. There is no storage limit with KIN STUDIO
6. KIN uses an entirely different architecture than Sidekick. KIN uses the same model as Windows Live, XBOX Live and Zune. Protecting and preserving user data is INCREDIBLY important to us, and our future customers.
7. FM tuner, not HD
5. There is no storage limit with KIN STUDIO
6. KIN uses an entirely different architecture than Sidekick. KIN uses the same model as Windows Live, XBOX Live and Zune. Protecting and preserving user data is INCREDIBLY important to us, and our future customers.
7. FM tuner, not HD
Thanks for all the great information. Wish you guys Good Luck for the launch.
Another suggestion. I don't know the technicalities, but if possible, work closely with Verizon for a plan other than the basic Data Plan, which would include a month's subscription to the Zune Pass. This will surely help.
Good Luck once again. You guys have done something really different with Kin. Hope it does well commercially too.
Another suggestion. I don't know the technicalities, but if possible, work closely with Verizon for a plan other than the basic Data Plan, which would include a month's subscription to the Zune Pass. This will surely help.
Good Luck once again. You guys have done something really different with Kin. Hope it does well commercially too.
I've been able to tether my laptop with Nokia phones (via bluetooth) quite seamlessly for a while now and find that it is increasingly hard to do with newer phones (from what I read anyways).
So the question is:
a) Will the Kin phones be able to do bluetooth tethering out of the box.
b) If not, will it be able to do bluetooth tethering in the future? Thanks!
ps. This thread has been most useful to gather more info about the Kin phone
So the question is:
a) Will the Kin phones be able to do bluetooth tethering out of the box.
b) If not, will it be able to do bluetooth tethering in the future? Thanks!
ps. This thread has been most useful to gather more info about the Kin phone
KIN is NOT a new social network. It pulls in/integrates your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Windows Live). Take a look at the videos on www.KIN.com - the Loop feature video in particular.
