Review: Microsoft KIN, Part Three: Performance

In looking at the Microsoft KIN, we've taken a await at the design of the KIN and the KIN's software. In this final part of the review, nosotros pull everything together and expect at the KIN's performance.

Equally was mentioned at the start, while the KIN is a Windows Phone I don't think it was ever intended to take the identify of a Windows Phone running Windows Mobile or Windows Phone 7. However, after using the KIN for some time now, it is a adept alternative for someone wanting more than than your standard feature phone simply less than a Windows Phone running Windows Mobile.

After the interruption, we'll run down the KIN'southward software, camera, phone, and overall performance.

Software

Microsoft did a good job of designing software to go on y'all upwardly to appointment 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 postal service tile is date stamped and identified by the source (e.chiliad. Facebook, Twitter, etc.) information technology takes some fourth dimension to get used to having all the feeds on one page.

The email awarding isn't much different than other email/messaging application. Yous accept your full range of email sources from Gmail to AOL Mail to Substitution Server mail to generic Popular mail accounts. The browser was a footling on the wearisome side, only there are and then many variables with page loads it's hard to blame the KIN alone. 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 touch screen is very receptive to the touch. Neither of the KIN models locked up, stalled or otherwise bugged out during the exam flow.

The KIN Spot is a prissy feature on the KIN. Information technology'due south helpful in assuasive you to hands send links, pictures, and other items to friends from one spot. The KIN Spot really shines when y'all want to pull in items from diverse sources.

Lastly, the KIN Studio is a very nice online component. It serves as a backup for your KIN, extends your access to photos and videos, and compliments the phone actually well. The only matter missing is a calendar.

Camera

The KIN Ane comes fitted with a 5mp camera and the KIN Two has an 8mp photographic camera. The image quality from KIN models was good. Still images were sharp, colorful, and well exposed. The KIN 2 images seemed a nudge under-exposed merely cypher a fiddling post-processing tin can't handle.Video footage was as impressive.

Video capture was equally dainty. It'southward not great but I think it would hold information technology's weight up against other Windows Phone cameras.

The KIN's photographic camera has geo-tagging ability besides every bit the ability to e-mail images and footage besides as the power to upload them to your Facebook or Windows Alive page. In-camera settings are bones roofing resolution, lighting, flash settings, and a few modes (auto, night, and burst).

My merely issue with the camera was the shutter button position. It was a piddling on the awkward side on both KIN Models. The button sits flush requiring a lilliputian contortion of the finger to get it pressed. I also experience a little "focus hunting" with both models.

Phone Performance

Both KIN models performed well as phones. Audio quality was expert with acceptable volume levels. The KINs are fitted with bluetooth and headset performance wasn't much dissimilar from any other phone. Both KIN models have speakers but are a tad on the muted side.

The KIN models designs are distinct and will probable entreatment to different audiences. The unique way of the KIN Ane is more suited for those looking to stand out while the conservative advent of the KIN Two will appeal those with... conservative tastes. The size of the KIN models may too come up into play on selecting 1 over the other. The KIN One was a affect likewise small for my hands while the KIN Ii fit more natural. Regardless, both are quality fabricated Windows Phones.

The biggest performance issue in using the phone is manipulating the book keys on the KIN I. I remember if they sat a little lower on the side of the KIN One, they would experience more natural to manipulate.

Generational Perspective

I had my 14 yr old tinker with the KIN and he idea the KIN One was "cool". The KIN Two was too obviously in his heed. He is currently using a Samsung feature phone and his needs are basically texting, calls, taking photos and he would similar to keep up with his Facebook page ameliorate.

At showtime, he agreed that the KIN One's keyboard was too small but afterward about an hour, said he got used to it. It didn't accept him long to acquire his fashion around the KIN'south software and the but help he needed was to set-up the Windows Live business relationship. Where information technology took me some time to get used to the KIN's software, my son dove right into it. Go along in listen, he hasn't been using Windows Mobile for the past five years.

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

My wife, on the other hand, idea the KIN One was "cute" and that the KIN Two "looked like my other telephone (AT&T Tilt2). She saw the KIN equally interesting but not a substitute for her iPhone. For someone who's day is filled by hourly appointments, the lack of a calendar was a major drawback in her opinion.

She similar the social integration the KIN software presented and saw it better suited for my son. Needless to say, she's sticking with her iPhone.

Final Thoughts

When compared to a Windows Phone running Windows Mobile, the KIN tin pale in comparing. Nevertheless, if all you lot need out of a phone is a browser, email, and the power to interact with your social networks, the KIN will do nicely.

As mentioned, the KIN has the feel of a feature telephone only with more than "characteristic". Unfortunately, many will consider the KIN a characteristic telephone with a smartphone toll. If the pricing point could be more competitive with the feature telephone market, I remember the KIN would be better received.

The KIN models offer 2 distinctly dissimilar styles, either being bonny to a wide range of consumers. The software, while taking a while to get used to, is stable, smooth and does a good chore of it. It really needs a calendar to be consummate though.

In time, I wouldn't exist surprised to eventually see the KIN to be to Windows Phone 7 as Windows Mobile Standard is to Windows Mobile Professional. Microsoft hasn't closed the door to the possibility of allowing the KIN to load third political party apps which simply expand the KIN's potential.

The KIN isn't for anybody and if a Windows Phone is too much for you or you have a teenager looking to become beyond the feature phone, the KIN is worth a await. It is currently only available on the Verizon Network and only time will tell if other carriers will pick this latest Windows Phone up.

Does the KIN take social to an 11? It accept potential and does make sharing your life a petty easier. But for now, it'due south property steady at about an eight.v.