Microsoft late yesterday confirmed reports that it will discontinue its recently launched KIN line of social-centric texting phones. The company released the following statement yesterday:
"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."
The Kin One and Kin Two were unveiled back in May. Initial reviews of the phones were tepid at best and many complained that when combined with Verizon Wireless' required smartphone plans, the Kin line priced out its intended teen demographic.
Microsoft has been struggling with its mobile business for a while now. Most recently, Android overtook Windows Mobile, as the fourth-ranked mobile OS in terms of market share.
Early demonstrations show Windows Phone 7 could be a big improvement over Windows Mobile, but the jury is still out as the new OS has yet to launch on any devices.