These reviews can be helpful for parents and grandparents!
They also illustrate an often overlooked part of any cellphone/
smartphone purchase...the carrier. It really matters very little
about the "up-front" cost of the device, it's those ongoing,
recurring monthly costs that get expensive. Perhaps it's time
for a "consumer revolt" to at least get the various carriers to
recognize that families with 2 or more kids don't really need
4 data plans! Same with text messaging plans. Your 2
daughters also demonstrate the changing usage of cellphones...texting. They don't "call" anymore, so claims
by carriers of "no dropped calls, crystal clear voice" have
limited impact on this demographic.
I also thought it funny when asked about "web browsing",
both didn't use the browser much, and pretty much agreed
that all phone browsers leave something to be desired!
Nicely done!
Last week customers could order and receive Kin One and Two devices from the website and today you should be able to visit your local store to get some hands-on time with the two new Microsoft phones. I received the devices last week and immediately gave them to my two oldest daughters who provided some quick first thoughts. They have now been using the two Kin phones every day for the last week and have answers to several of my questions about the devices and the user experience, as well as some concluding thoughts on using them. I’ll start this review with the basics for you all, but then jump right into their sections so you can see how the devices perform from a teenager’s point of view. Check out my updated image gallery with photos of the devices and sample photos taken with both Kins. You will also find our second sit down interview video discussing the Kin below.
|
|
||||||
| Image Gallery: Check out some photos of the Kin One and Kin Two from Microsoft. |  |
 |
||||
|
|
||||||
Kin One and Two review index
While I think the specs, walk around the hardware, and software may interest some of you, I wanted to also make it easy for you to get to the parts of this review where my daughters provide their experiences and conclusions. You will see that I helped get the girls writing started by asking them several open ended questions after they used the devices for several days. Follow a hyperlink below to jump to a page that interests you or continue to read the full review below:
- Specs, hardware, and software
- 16-year old experiences
- 14-year old experiences
- Closing thoughts from the family
Specifications
Both the Kin One and Kin Two are Windows Phone devices with a highly specialized operating system with some functions from the Zune and future Windows Phone 7 devices. Sharp makes the device and as much as Microsoft tries to say they do not make phones, in all reality the Kin devices are Microsoft Zune phones. They both have QWERTY keyboards, but in two different form factors. Here are the known specifications for each device.
Kin One full specs on GDGT
- CDMA radio with EV-DO Rev A support
- 600 MHz processor
- 256 MB RAM
- 2.6 inch 240×320 capacitive touchscreen
- 4GB integrated flash memory
- 5 megapixel camera
- 802.11 b/g WiFi radio
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR radio
- Integrated A-GPS receiver
- FM radio
- 3.5mm headset jack
- Mono speaker
- Dimensions: 3.25 x 2.5 x 0.75 inches and 3.9 ounces
Kin Two full specs on GDGT
- CDMA radio with EV-DO Rev A support
- 600 MHz processor
- 256 MB RAM
- 3.4 inch 320×480 capacitive touchscreen
- 8GB integrated flash memory
- 8 megapixel camera that captures HD video
- 802.11 b/g WiFi radio
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR radio
- Integrated A-GPS receiver
- FM radio
- 3.5mm headset jack
- Stereo speakers
- Dimensions: 4.25 x 2.5 x 0.75 inches and 4.7 ounces
As you can see, the specifications are very similar between the two devices, with the main differences being the camera resolution and video capture quality, screen size, and mono vs stereo speakers. The Kin One is priced at $50 and the Kin Two at $100 so there isn’t much of a difference in initial price while the better camera and larger display make the Kin Two a pretty clear choice IMHO.
Walk around hardware
Kin One: The Kin One code name was Turtle and when you first pick it up you can see why it was so named. The device feels like a thick skipping stone in your hand and is quite pocketable. On the front you will see the display takes up most of the device with a back button centered on the bottom and a headset speaker above the display. The white part of the device below the display protrudes from the top and bottom and after sliding the display up the full QWRTY keyboard is revealed. This is one of the largest QWERTY keyboards I have seen in devices with this form factor, including the Palm Pre Plus. The keyboard is very functional with all of the essential keys, an emoticon key, search button, phone button, and large space bar. The characters are offset to the left a bit and are large and easily viewable.
Along the curved top you will find the volume buttons, 3.5mm headset jack, camera button, and power button. The volume and power buttons wrap a bit around the left and right sides with the microUSB port on the left side of the Kin One. There is a lanyard opening on the bottom of the Kin One with the back cover release button centered on the bottom.
The camera and flash light are found on the back with the words Kin, Windows Phone, Verizon, and Sharp.
Kin Two: The Kin Two has a form factor very similar to many smartphones and high end feature phones with a side slide QWERTY keyboard. The Kin Two has the same buttons as the Kin One, in different areas.
The 3.4 inch display takes up most of the front of the device with the back button below the display and headset speaker above the display. The display slides to the right to reveal the QWERTY keyboard. The keyboard has the same keys as the Kin One, but are spread out more than the Kin One.
The power button and 3.5mm headset jack are found on the top. The volume buttons and camera capture button are on the right side. The only thing on the left side is the back cover release button. A microUSB port is found on the bottom. Both the 3.5mm headset jack and microUSB port are recessed in from the edges so there may be issues with your own headsets.
The 8 megapixel camera and flash are found on the upper left side of the back along with the same words as the Kin One.
Walk around software
The Kin user experience is divided into three primary displays; the Apps page, Kin Loop, and Favorites page. The Apps page has the following included apps and utilities; messages, alarm, music & more, email, camera, phone, settings, browser, search, feed reader, contacts, and help. The Kin Loop provides updates and dynamically changes as your friends post things. The Favorites page contains the people you specifically add to the page and lets you easily interact with them.
Since this particular review is focused on actual user experiences of my teen daughters and I don’t want to go into all the details of the software that you can read elsewhere I recommend you visit one of these reviews below to read about the software and functionality:
