Verizon's Microsoft KIN TWO Windows Phone review

Score

3.5 stars
"Good"

(How we score)

Solid keyboard, HD video camera with 8 megapixel photos, Zune music player, good design

Can't add new applications, data costs as much as a smartphone, user interface can be confusing, no e-mail notifications, no IM clients

Summary

The KIN TWO is the larger of Microsoft's new KIN series of phones. The devices, to me, are Microsoft's watered down version of Windows Phone 7. There are some similarities, after all, including the panel home screen and a focus on keeping you in touch with your friends - not only through calling and SMS, but also through social networking. There's also the Zune media player available on the KIN phones, which you'll find in Windows Phone 7 as well.

I found the KIN TWO to be enjoyable to use overall, but it wasn't without its learning curves. As a new platform, its unlike anything else currently out there, and so it takes some digging and some exploring to really get used to it. As a phone buff, I enjoyed this, but newcomers might not.

As with the Microsoft KIN ONE, the TWO's biggest problem isn't the hardware of the device itself, or even the platform, it's just what's missing right now. There aren't any chat applications, there isn't a calendar, and some features don't work as well as they should. I hope these, and more, can be added in the future, although I haven't heard anything definite. Also, Verizon Wireless requires a $30 monthly data plan for the phone, which is more expensive than the other feature phones it offers and just as expensive as the data plan it requires with smartphones. What's the trouble with that? The KIN TWO isn't a smartphone.

You'll find a video of the Microsoft KIN TWO for Verizon after the Table of Contents, below.

Todd @ 1:37:57PM EDT on Wednesday May 19, 2010

Hi Todd,

Thanks for the review and support of the KIN. I just wanted to stop by and let you and your readers know that you can go to KIN.com to learn more about the KIN and follow along with 'The Journey' on our Facebook page to see the KIN in action.

Thanks,

Todd

Kin Outreach Team
Todd_KinOutreach@hotmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/KIN
http://twitter.com/KIN

Trevor @ 6:11:38AM EDT on Thursday August 19, 2010

i absolutely hate this phone for one reason only.. theres not even a touch screen keyboard.... its lame..

Pat @ 11:22:31PM EST on Monday December 20, 2010

I find this phone to be really hard to use. I can"t even rfigure out how to forward a text message.

Kevin @ 6:48:37PM EST on Tuesday December 28, 2010

So this phone has it's up's and downs. The review here says there is no calculator or calendar, this is false. I have owned this phone for about 3 days now and it does in fact have those features. There is no onscreen keyboard and you do have to use the slider to do any typing, not a huge deal though. Also as Pat had mentioned about the forwarding, I don't think you can do it. But who really forwards messages anyway? Over all, I really like the phone but it is a little awkward and takes a little getting use to.

TaniaM @ 11:17:03AM EST on Friday January 14, 2011

Can you even dowload music to this phone without having a Zune pass? Don't want to spend any more

marii12 @ 3:49:49AM EST on Sunday January 23, 2011

I am 12 to and have been experiencing lots of problems. Such as not getting music,data and photos transferred to my phone without paying for Zune, Having it turn off without me telling it to, No games or apps at all, Also this phone was discontinued 6 weeks after release. Not the best phone i advise you not to get it. Which is why my dad is cancelling my Kin Two plan and getting the iPhone 4 A much better choice.

Brittany @ 3:34:17PM EST on Wednesday March 2, 2011

this phone sucks. no on screen keyboard. terrible service and what keyboard it does have you have to have a two year old text because it's so small. i got it today, and the interfacing isn't terrible. but everything else sucks. i'm taking it back tonight!

Idahorealtor @ 11:13:18PM EDT on Wednesday April 27, 2011

The Kin ll sucks. I have had it for a couple of months and hate it. It is so touchy you cant get to the screen you want without trying a couple of times, cant go directly to a new text or email. I HATE HATE HATE IT!

sandra @ 7:56:36PM EDT on Monday September 12, 2011

the kin 2 was everything i was looking for without paying for a data plan.though after just 2 months i started having screen and audio problems, i could hear callers but they could not hear me and im seeing on the side of the screen as if there is a screen under tne one im viewing.no reason on my part for these isues, i have taken very good care of this phone so it has never had damage on my part.i also don't care for the lack of micro sd slot only cuz they want u to pay for zune.... that should be your choice which i don't recall them stating in the specification.seriously an sd slot should be mandatory on all phones!!!!!