Microsoft and Partners Launched A Social Networking Phone called KIN

The world's largest software maker, Microsoft, together with Sharp, Verizon Wireless, and Vodafone today announced a new social networking phone named KIN. The KIN is powered by Windows Mobile operating system, and is "designed specifically for people who are actively navigating their social lives".

The KIN phone features new technology called Loop, Spot and Studio that blends online apps with phone, and PC. Loop is the Home screen phone of the phone, which aggregates feeds from social networking services, such as Facebook and Twitter. Spot is a new way for users to share what's going on in their lives. It allows users to share Videos, photos, text messages, Web pages, location and status update by simple dragging them to the Spot, then users can choose how to share, and start broadcasting. KIN Studio is online backup services for the phone. The KIN Studio backup contacts, photos, videos, texts, call history, and etc. so that the information are retrievable online anytime.

"Working closely with our partners, we saw an opportunity to design a mobile experience just for this social generation – a phone that makes it easy to share your life moment to moment," said Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. "We built KIN for people who live to be connected, share, express and relate to their friends and family. 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."

Partner Quotes for KIN

"Sharp is excited to team with Microsoft as the exclusive handset manufacturer for the KIN phone. Combining Sharp's cutting-edge LCD and mobile device technology with Microsoft's cloud computing technology, KIN represents an innovative new mobile experience. It's a fun, convenient way to keep connected and another example of how Sharp is committed to improving people's lives with ubiquitous communications."
– Mikio Katayama
Global President and COO
Sharp Corporation

"KIN represents a new way to stay connected. We are excited to take our relationship with Microsoft to the next level and be the exclusive carrier of KIN in the U.S."
– John Harrobin
Senior Vice President
Marketing and Digital Media
Verizon Wireless

"Vodafone is delighted to further its partnership with Microsoft, bringing our customers Microsoft's latest innovation – KIN. 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. 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."
– Patrick Chomet
Group Director of Terminals
Vodafone