Microsoft's KIN: A Eulogy
by Brian Klug on July 13, 2010 3:42 PM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Microsoft
- KIN
- Mobile
In another review, Anand wrote some words that I can't get out in my head because they're so true: "Apple has started a trend of companies spending entirely too much on packaging." Truer words haven't been spoken, but the KIN did have some of the most unique packaging I've ever seen. There's been some other memorable packaging out there, including the 'Hacker Edition' N900 packaging which requires using terminal commands over serial to open the box.
The KIN packaging was different. It was hip, modern, and innovative. If nothing else, it shows that Microsoft can still get radically creative when it matters.
I'd like to point out that what's particularly odd about smartphone packaging is that - most of the time - you don't even get to unbox your own phone if you're purchasing it at a retail store. A carrier employee will take the phone out, activate it, and hand it to you. This has been the case for me at least with every phone I've ever purchased which was subsidized. Sometimes they'll ask you if you want to take it out of the box, but it's rare in my experience. Even though packaging isn't something the user frequently gets to dive into when buying at a store, it does set a first impression - which is likely why so much importance is afforded to it. But I digress.
The KIN came in colorful cardboard tubes with rubbery caps at top and bottom. The ONE comes in a white tube, while the TWO comes in a black one. The first impression the KIN packaging sets is that it's radically different - just like the phones themselves.
Pop the top off the pringles, er... KIN can (there's a joke in there about a can-can waiting to be had), and there's a green felt pull tab and a cardboard holder. Pull on that, and out comes a tube wrapped with the same kind of elastic green felt.
Take that felt ring off, open the cardboard fold, and you've got the phone in an inset on one side, and instructions, cables, and power adapter on the other. The TWO has the same affair, except the inset is slightly larger to accomodate the taller form factor.
It was different, and it worked for the KIN. The devices weren't smartphones, weren't featurephones either - completely different packaging just made sense. Packaging is functional too however, and there's a reason most smartphone boxes are small and squarish. Squares have better packing density for transportation reasons. Cylinders - not as much. Microsoft made a bold choice going with a much larger than normal package that was flashy and different.
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squngy - Wednesday, July 14, 2010 - link
I've seen the like of circular packaging before :)In slovenia one mobile carrier used to sell all of its subsidized phones in tin tubes like those.
Recently they started to sell mobile Internet packages in a similar form:
(link)
http://shrani.si/f/f/wD/3ZJg7tbT/itakxl.jpg
Orbs - Wednesday, July 14, 2010 - link
The comment, "In addition, there's no settings panel for the entire browser to clear cache, cookies, or history" is incorrect.From the home screen, swipe left to the apps pane, scroll down and tap "Settings". In "Settings" swipe right to the app-specific settings and select "Browser". In the Browser Settings, you can clear data cache, cookies and history. You can also turn cookies on/off, JavaScript on/off and browse in desktop mode if you have a need for that.
Smilin - Thursday, July 15, 2010 - link
Bought one mostly for the sake of getting rid of my horrible Win 6x phone. The plan is to give it to the wife in the fall when WP7 ships. She's become familiar with it and is really looking forward to getting it.The phone actually rocks. It's easy to use, does the few things that it does very well, is easy (I said that), the "cloud" offering is something that bigger competitors could learn from.
The Kin turned into a big joke I guess but I just can't get myself to join that bandwagon. I'm sorry but **I LIKE IT**.
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