Microsoft pulls plug on Kin launch in Europe

It goes without saying the Kin launch in the United States did not meet the expectations of Microsoft or Verizon. The product had a very specific target base, but the phone was priced like a smartphone so it did not really appeal to the teenage target base. Even with a price cut on the Kin ONE and Kin TWO, the data plan still remained obscenely high for a product that doesn’t need such a high data plan. Andy Lees will combine the Windows Phone 7 development team with the Kin development team to focus exclusively on Windows Phone 7. Therefore, the Kin will not be launching in Europe this fall. Here is the official statement from Microsoft on the matter:

“We have made the decision to focus exclusively on Windows Phone 7 and we will not ship KIN in Europe this fall as planned. Additionally, we are integrating our KIN team with the Windows Phone 7 team, incorporating valuable ideas and technologies from KIN into future Windows Phone releases. We will continue to work with Verizon in the U.S. to sell current KIN phones.”

For those who actually own one of the Kin devices, Microsoft will not be leaving you in the dark and hopefully will still provide software updates as needed, but no that is not confirmed. It’s sad to see Microsoft kill the Kin so soon after its launch, especially when it seemed the Kin had a bright future. But the meager sales of the Kin in America speak for themselves and justify killing the Kin before it launches in Europe.

Via [CNET]