From HTC Dream to Kin’s Discontinuation: Microsoft’s Failed Experiment with the Social Smartphone

Microsoft’s entry into the smartphone market began in the early 20th century with the release of the iconic HTC Dream. In response, Microsoft introduced the Microsoft Kin, a product that marked the beginning of the smartphone era. During this time, smartphone giants like Apple, Google, and Samsung were all competing for dominance in the market.

Microsoft had been in the mobile device industry for some time with its Windows Mobile devices. However, following the release of the iPhone, Microsoft began working on ‘Microsoft Pink’ or ‘Project Pink’. This project was led by J Allard, while another team, led by Andy Lees, was working on Windows Phone. These teams had different visions for Microsoft’s mobile strategy, leading to internal conflicts within the company.

Eventually, Lees’ team won out, and Microsoft Kin was born. This unique smartphone was marketed as a social networking and communication device targeted towards a younger audience. However, its launch was met with criticism due to controversial marketing tactics promoting sexting. The Kin ONE and Kin Two were the two products released under this line, both featuring touchscreen displays and a sliding QWERTY keyboard.

Despite its innovative concept and design features, such as touchscreens and sliding keyboards, Microsoft Kin failed to gain traction in the market due to its lack of popular features like instant messaging apps and email syncing capabilities. Moreover, it did not have an app store or calendar app which limited its usability for users who relied heavily on these features in their daily lives. Ultimately, despite selling only 500 units at launch; Microsoft Kin was eventually discontinued marking a brief but important moment in the history of smartphones where companies started experimenting with new forms of communication devices before finding what truly resonated with consumers.