Review: Microsoft KIN, Part Three: Performance

In looking at the Microsoft KIN, nosotros've taken a look at the pattern of the KIN and the KIN's software. In this last part of the review, we pull everything together and look at the KIN'southward performance.

As was mentioned at the first, while the KIN is a Windows Phone I don't think information technology was e'er intended to take the place of a Windows Phone running Windows Mobile or Windows Phone 7. Yet, after using the KIN for some time now, information technology is a practiced alternative for someone wanting more than than your standard feature phone simply less than a Windows Phone running Windows Mobile.

Afterwards the interruption, nosotros'll run downwardly the KIN's software, camera, phone, and overall performance.

Software

Microsoft did a practiced job of designing software to proceed you upwardly to date with your social networking sites. The main page does feel a little cluttered. The larger screen of the KIN Two helps spread things out a flake. While each mail service tile is date stamped and identified by the source (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc.) it takes some time to get used to having all the feeds on one folio.

The electronic mail awarding isn't much unlike than other electronic mail/messaging application. Y'all have your full range of electronic mail sources from Gmail to AOL Postal service to Substitution Server mail to generic POP mail accounts. The browser was a little on the tedious side, but there are then many variables with page loads it's hard to blame the KIN lonely. As with other aspects of the KIN, the layout of the browser takes a trivial getting used to as well.

The processor in the KIN moves things forth nicely and the impact screen is very receptive to the bear upon. Neither of the KIN models locked up, stalled or otherwise bewitched out during the test period.

The KIN Spot is a nice characteristic on the KIN. Information technology'due south helpful in allowing yous to easily send links, pictures, and other items to friends from one spot. The KIN Spot really shines when you lot want to pull in items from various sources.

Lastly, the KIN Studio is a very overnice online component. It serves as a fill-in for your KIN, extends your access to photos and videos, and compliments the telephone really well. The merely thing missing is a calendar.

Camera

The KIN One comes fitted with a 5mp camera and the KIN Two has an 8mp camera. The prototype quality from KIN models was good. However images were abrupt, colorful, and well exposed. The KIN Ii images seemed a nudge nether-exposed just nothing a little post-processing tin't handle.Video footage was every bit impressive.

Video capture was equally squeamish. It's non great simply I remember it would hold it's weight up against other Windows Telephone cameras.

The KIN'due south camera has geo-tagging ability also equally the ability to email images and footage also as the ability to upload them to your Facebook or Windows Live folio. In-camera settings are basic covering resolution, lighting, flash settings, and a few modes (car, night, and outburst).

My only issue with the photographic camera was the shutter button position. It was a picayune on the awkward side on both KIN Models. The push sits flush requiring a footling contortion of the finger to get information technology pressed. I also experience a little "focus hunting" with both models.

Phone Performance

Both KIN models performed well as phones. Sound quality was good with adequate volume levels. The KINs are fitted with bluetooth and headset performance wasn't much different from whatever other phone. Both KIN models have speakers but are a tad on the muted side.

The KIN models designs are distinct and will likely entreatment to different audiences. The unique style of the KIN One is more than suited for those looking to stand out while the conservative appearance of the KIN Two volition entreatment those with... conservative tastes. The size of the KIN models may as well come into play on selecting one over the other. The KIN 1 was a touch too small for my hands while the KIN Two fit more natural. Regardless, both are quality made Windows Phones.

The biggest performance issue in using the telephone is manipulating the book keys on the KIN One. I recollect if they sat a little lower on the side of the KIN One, they would feel more natural to dispense.

Generational Perspective

I had my 14 year old tinker with the KIN and he thought the KIN Ane was "absurd". The KIN Two was too apparently in his listen. He is currently using a Samsung characteristic phone and his needs are basically texting, calls, taking photos and he would like to proceed up with his Facebook page meliorate.

At first, he agreed that the KIN One's keyboard was too small but after most an hour, said he got used to it. Information technology didn't take him long to learn his fashion effectually the KIN's software and the but help he needed was to ready-upward the Windows Alive account. Where information technology took me some fourth dimension to get used to the KIN'southward software, my son dove right into it. Keep in heed, he hasn't been using Windows Mobile for the past five years.

He was impressed with the KIN Ane and is already saving his assart should the KIN come to AT&T.

My married woman, on the other mitt, thought the KIN One was "cute" and that the KIN Two "looked like my other phone (AT&T Tilt2). She saw the KIN as interesting but non a substitute for her iPhone. For someone who's day is filled past hourly appointments, the lack of a agenda was a major drawback in her opinion.

She like the social integration the KIN software presented and saw information technology meliorate suited for my son. Needless to say, she's sticking with her iPhone.

Final Thoughts

When compared to a Windows Telephone running Windows Mobile, the KIN can pale in comparing. All the same, if all yous need out of a phone is a browser, e-mail, and the ability to interact with your social networks, the KIN will exercise nicely.

As mentioned, the KIN has the feel of a feature telephone but with more "characteristic". Unfortunately, many will consider the KIN a feature telephone with a smartphone price. If the pricing indicate could be more competitive with the characteristic telephone market, I think the KIN would be better received.

The KIN models offer ii distinctly different styles, either being attractive to a wide range of consumers. The software, while taking a while to go used to, is stable, smooth and does a skillful task of it. It really needs a agenda to be complete though.

In time, I wouldn't be surprised to eventually see the KIN to be to Windows Phone seven as Windows Mobile Standard is to Windows Mobile Professional. Microsoft hasn't airtight the door to the possibility of allowing the KIN to load third political party apps which only expand the KIN's potential.

The KIN isn't for everyone and if a Windows Phone is too much for you or you have a teenager looking to go beyond the feature phone, the KIN is worth a wait. It is currently only bachelor on the Verizon Network and only time volition tell if other carriers will selection this latest Windows Phone upwards.

Does the KIN accept social to an 11? It have potential and does make sharing your life a little easier. Just for now, it's holding steady at well-nigh an 8.5.

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