14 DAY TRIAL // Mobile phone carrier Verizon Wireless was the only wireless services provider in the world to offer its customers the possibility to try out the new social phone Microsoft launched on the market earlier this year, under the name of KIN. Two phones arrived on the market under the KIN brand, both of which enjoyed very poor traction on the market, and it seems that Microsoft and Verizon decided it was the high time they would phase them out.
The move was an expected one, since Microsoft announced several weeks ago that the KIN development team was integrated into the Windows Phone 7 unit, and that KIN One and KIN Two would not have other KIN brothers. The end of life cycle of the two KIN phones was close, though some might have expected for the actual move to be made close to Windows Phone 7's launch on shelves.
The KIN devices were released on the market as some sort of new “social phones,” at least this is what Microsoft said on them. Both handsets were aimed at a younger audience, and packed enhanced social networking features. In Microsoft's vision, the KIN phones had all the necessary features to appeal to young people, who are fond of being connected at all times with their social networking accounts.
However, some of the previous reports on KIN suggested that Microsoft and Verizon managed to sell less than 10,000 KIN units. Since sales have been so disappointing, it was only natural that the two companies would consider putting an end to the sales of these two handsets. And it seems that this might have happened already, and that all unsold KIN devices were sent back on Sunday.
The KIN page is still live on Verizon's website, but we're not sure for how long, especially since users would receive the following message when trying to purchase one of the two devices: “The selection you made is unavailable at this time.” None of the two involved companies went official with the death of KIN, though they might confirm the move in the very near future. Keep an eye on this space for more info on the matter.