Microsoft Unveils 'Social' Kin Phones

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Microsoft Unveils 'Social' Kin Phones The newest Windows phones offer a variety of social networking features, but more advanced users might feel limited by the OS. - Ginny Mies, PCWorld Hands On With Microsoft's Kin Phones Microsoft's New Kin Phones Are Designed For Social Networkers Microsoft's newest social networking phones, the Kin One and Kin Two, have a slick and intuitive user interface that's targeted at the Facebook crowd. Microsoft Kin One The Kin One doesn?t have the most appealing design, but the slick and intuitive user interface makes up for it--almost. Microsoft Kin 2 The Kin Two impresses with solid hardware and an intuitive user interface, but glaring omissions?like the lack of a calendar and IM client?keep it from being the ultimate social networking phone. More Mobile Computing News Apple's iPhone OS 4.0 No Threat to Android Apple's New iPhone App Policy: Unreasonable and Unjustifiable The Curious Thing About Microsoft Kin Trashed Laptops: When Bad Things Happen to (Mostly) Good PCs Apple's New MacBook Pros Not for Serious Gamers Google Optimizes Search App for iPad Apple iPhone OS 4.0 vs. the Competition: How Does it Compare? Palm for Sale? Any Takers? Mobile News and Reviews Browse the Mobile Computing Blog Smartphone Reviews and News Compare prices, features, and reviews on candy bar phones, clamshell phones, slide phones and more. Laptops Central Browse all PCWorld.com reviews and how-tos. Connect Your Employees Get BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express for free and give your business the freedom to connect all its employees. Download it today. Microsoft Office 2010 Beta View a demo of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010. View Demo Now Advertisement Does your PC come with its own Virtual IT department? For a limited time, purchase an AT&T Tech Support 360(sm) Premium subscription with select Lenovo PCs and get 24/7 remote technical support for your new computer for one year, for less than the cost of onsite technical services* *comparison based on three service calls in one year from local IT service provider at cost per visit of $175, compared to AT&T service included in this bundle for a limited time promotional cost of $253/year with unlimited calls. » Most Popular PCWorld Searches Laptops Android phone Scanners Netbooks Backup Product Reviews Google Nexus One 90 Pros Sleek, ultraslim design; Snappy performance; Dazzling OLED display Cons Software keyboard is far from perfect; Average multimedia player Read Complete Review » Top 10 Android Phones » Top 10 Cell Phones » Alienware M11x 88 Pros AlienFX customizable lighting; Fantastic performance Cons Display has poor vertical viewing angles; Fan noise gets a little loud Read Complete Review » Top 10 Ultraportable Laptops » CyberPower Black Pearl 86 Pros Strong six-core performance; Well designed chassis Cons Lacks bundled extras, and a multiformat card reader Read Complete Review » Top 10 Performance Desktop PCs » Get Big Savings When you Shop at PCWorld.com Shop online at PCWorld.com, where you can compare product information, read trusted reviews, and find the best prices on consumer electronics. N900 Black Smartphone Price: $479.00 Avg User Rating 2 User Reviews 5530 XpressMusic White Smartphone Price: $203.35 Avg User Rating User Reviews Browse more Best Prices on Cell Phones, VOIP Phones, Headsets, Best Prices on PDAs Top News on PCWorld.com The Curious Thing About Microsoft Kin Microsoft bills the Kin as a mobile phone for the "social generation" -- but something about the device just doesn't add up. 10 Things the Internet Has Killed or Ruined (and Five Things It Hasn't) From sex to Nigeria to arguments in bars to Chuck Norris: The Internet has badly affected them all (except Chuck Norris). Top Reviews on PCWorld.com Microsoft's New Kin Phones Are Designed For Social Networkers Microsoft's newest social networking phones, the Kin One and Kin Two, have a slick and intuitive user interface that's targeted at the Facebook crowd. Microsoft Kin Two: Stylish, but Missing Some Key Features The Kin Two impresses with solid hardware and an intuitive user interface, but glaring omissionslike lack of a calendar and IM clientkeep it from being the ultimate social networking phone. Microsoft Kin One: Slick Software, Unimpressive Hardware The Kin One doesnt have the most appealing design, but the slick and intuitive user interface makes up for it--almost. Sony Ericsson's Xperia X10 Smartphone The Sony Ericcsson Xperia X10 has some great features, but sluggish software and an outdated OS hamper the experience of using it. Downloads: Editor's Collection Organize Your Thoughts With PIMs and Mind-Mapping SoftwareYou think your PC multitasks? Your brain puts it to shame. Offload and organize some of that data into a freeform database, desktop wiki, or PIM. Jot your inspirations into a mind-mapping program and develop them into plans. 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