In all the debate and discussion that I’ve had around the KIN devices, almost all of them were with fellow analysts and journalists who just aren’t in the demographic Microsoft and Verizon are looking to sell to. You’ve heard my thoughts but I thought it would be interesting to get a second view on KIN that comes not from me, )who’s closer to Generation AARP than Generation Upload) but from someone who’s both analytical but is also squarely in the target demographic. So with that I refer you to SlashGear guest columnist Chaim Gartenberg For his take on KIN.
As for pricing – the $49 and $99 price points for the KIN 1 and the higher end KIN 2 are perfect to reach the teenage market. Furthermore, the phones don’t need special plans – you can just get one as you can any Verizon phone. The big point though, is data: $30 a month, in addition to regular costs. On the one hand, it’s a little high for teens, but considering that it includes unlimited data per month, as well as unlimited storage on Studio makes it much easier to accept. A flat fee that teens won’t have to worry about paying extra for going over a limit, and unlimited space on Studio to store everything is exactly what needed to be offered to make this appealing enough for teens at the price.
In essence, KIN takes the phone – which for teenagers, was limited mainly to personal communication – and extends it to social as well – giving us equal access to an equally if not more important part of our lives. And does it in a way of simplicity and ease of use. It may not offer everything that can possibly be stuffed into a phone – but sometimes, the thing doesn’t do everything may just do exactly what the user – in this case, teenagers, want. Yes, there are phones out there that offer more, but the features they offer aren’t really used by teenagers on phones. The 4: call, text, pictures, and music – that do matter, aren’t cut out of KIN, but expanded by it. KIN doesn’t limit to what a phone can be used for, but extends what the phones of teens do for us.