Microsoft [MSFT] has killed off their Kin phones, just a few weeks after they went on sale. The reason for this is because of poor sales, and Microsoft has announced that they won’t be producing any more Kin phones.
The Kin team responsible for the two phones will be integrated into the Windows Phone 7 team, and Microsoft will be focusing on Windows 7 Phone’s.
Reasons Behind the Failure
There are a couple of reasons that the Microsoft Kin phones were unsuccessful, but the main reason was the price. For a phone that was designed to be used as a social networking phone and obviously aimed at the teenage market, it was far too expensive. The Kin phones were marketed as devices that would seamlessly integrate social media into the user’s daily life, but the high cost made them less appealing to their target demographic.
Another significant factor was the lack of essential features that users had come to expect from smartphones. The Kin phones did not support third-party apps, which severely limited their functionality compared to other smartphones on the market. Additionally, the phones had limited storage capacity and lacked features like GPS and Wi-Fi, which were becoming standard in other devices.
Market Competition and Strategic Missteps
The timing of the Kin phones’ release also played a role in their downfall. They were launched at a time when the smartphone market was becoming increasingly competitive, with established players like Apple and Android dominating the scene. The Kin phones simply couldn’t compete with the more advanced features and extensive app ecosystems offered by these competitors.
Moreover, Microsoft’s marketing strategy for the Kin phones was somewhat confusing. The devices were initially marketed as feature phones with some smartphone capabilities, which led to mixed messages about their intended use and audience. This confusion likely contributed to the poor sales, as potential customers were unsure of what the Kin phones were supposed to offer.
Microsoft will continue to offer support for the Kin phones that people have already purchased, but there are no details on whether they will receive any software updates in the future. This lack of clarity on future support may further discourage potential buyers from considering the Kin phones, even at a discounted price.
Despite the failure of the Kin phones, Microsoft has not given up on the mobile market. The integration of the Kin team into the Windows Phone 7 team indicates that the company is shifting its focus to developing a more competitive smartphone platform. Windows Phone 7 aims to offer a more robust and feature-rich experience, with a greater emphasis on app support and integration with other Microsoft services.
The demise of the Kin phones serves as a reminder of the challenges and risks involved in the highly competitive smartphone market. While the Kin phones failed to capture the attention of their intended audience, Microsoft is using the lessons learned from this experience to improve their future offerings. The company’s focus on Windows Phone 7 suggests that they are committed to staying in the mobile market and are willing to adapt and innovate to meet the needs of consumers.
via Gizmodo
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