Microsoft [MSFT] had designed its Kin One and Kin Two mobile phones to appeal to the majority of consumers. The phones are designed around social networking and are aimed at teenagers and people who don’t want a fully functional smartphone.
They were designed to be at the cheaper end of the market, making them affordable for the majority of consumers. However, it seems like Verizon has decided that the Kin One and Kin Two need to have expensive data plans like the majority of smartphones.
Verizon intends to charge customers $30 a month for data, essentially the same package for the majority of smartphones like the BlackBerry and the Motorola Droid. This decision has sparked considerable debate among potential users and industry analysts alike.
Understanding the Kin One and Kin Two
The Kin One and Kin Two were part of Microsoft’s ambitious attempt to carve out a niche in the mobile phone market. Unlike traditional smartphones, these devices were specifically tailored for social networking. They featured unique interfaces that integrated social media feeds directly into the home screen, making it easier for users to stay connected with friends and family. The Kin One was compact and pocket-friendly, while the Kin Two offered a larger screen and more robust features.
Despite their innovative design, the Kin phones lacked the full functionality of smartphones like the iPhone or Android devices. They did not support a wide range of apps, and their operating system was more limited. This made them less appealing to tech-savvy users but ideal for those who primarily used their phones for social networking and basic communication.
The Controversy Over Data Plans
The decision by Verizon to charge $30 a month for data plans for the Kin One and Kin Two has been met with widespread criticism. Many argue that this pricing strategy is counterintuitive, given that these phones were designed to be budget-friendly. A $30 monthly data plan is comparable to what users pay for high-end smartphones, which offer far more features and capabilities.
For example, the BlackBerry and Motorola Droid, which are considered full-fledged smartphones, come with extensive app ecosystems, advanced hardware, and comprehensive software support. Charging the same amount for the Kin phones, which lack these advanced features, seems unreasonable to many consumers.
$30 for a data plan for a phone that isn’t a full smartphone is seen as excessive, and the majority of people won’t pay it. They should be charging users $10 a month for data as a maximum. This would make the Kin phones a more attractive option for their target demographic, which includes teenagers and budget-conscious consumers.
The high cost of the data plan could significantly impact the sales of the Kin One and Kin Two. Potential buyers who were initially attracted to the phones’ affordability might be deterred by the expensive monthly data charges. This could result in poor sales performance, undermining Microsoft’s efforts to capture a share of the mobile phone market.
I guess Microsoft won’t be selling many Kin Ones and Kin Twos on Verizon if they are going to charge that much for data. This pricing strategy could ultimately lead to the failure of the Kin series, despite its innovative design and unique features.
In conclusion, while the Kin One and Kin Two were designed with a specific audience in mind, the high cost of data plans imposed by Verizon could hinder their success. To make these phones more appealing, a more reasonable data plan pricing structure is essential. Otherwise, Microsoft may find it challenging to compete in the highly competitive mobile phone market.
via Mobile Crunch
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