Kin One and Two are returning to Verizon completely debundled from data services

[Sailorcancer]

You might want to read up on some of the reviews for it. For one they don't have some basic apps like a calender. So you might want to see what she use with her phone and see if this has it.

[Grogck]

Seriously thinking about getting a Kin One for my wife for Christmas if the no data plan is true. Her new every 2 doesn't come up until next October (when we'll likely go smartphone if she's working again) but her Env3 is rather blase. She currently doen't have (nor need) a data plan but has wifi at home and work (and I can turn mine into a hotspot if we're on the road together.) For messaging they should be just as good as she has now (with a much more pleasing interface.) And $119 for the Kin One at FULL price seems an absolute steal.

Another bonus for us is that she already has a lot of her stuff setup in the Zune software as she uses one of our Zunes at the gym. If she digs this and get further entrenched in the Zune software she'll likely just roll straight into Windows Phone for her next upgrade.

[wilef]

So I got my Kin TWOm today. It DOES have a calendar (though no way to sync that I can see) and a calculator. I don't see any way to get my contacts on here either. As for quick impressions, it's a great phone for a guy that doesn't want a data plan and was holding onto an old flip phone to avoid one!

[Twitty]

So I got the Kin TwoM today, heres initial thoughts:

- Data plan was removed no problem. They are having a problem with adding a data block for web access though. When I tried to use WiFi at one point I was using VZWs 3G and getting charged 1.99/MB. Called in and they said they'd credit me the charge because I asked for a data block earlier and they didn't do it. If you use WiFi on this device, make sure you're actually running on the WiFi, or turn Airplane mode on then wifi.

- Camera still is grainy, HD 720p is hot.

- A lot of features removed. This is a standard feature phone now. No loop, no facebook integration, nothing of that sort. Just contacts, phone stuff, and calendar. Yeah theres a calendar

- The phone is slightly sluggish compared to most dumbphones I've used. Transitions and changes have slight lags. Capacitive touch screen is great but web browsing accuracy leaves much to be desired.

- Web browser is only one tabbed. Wifi easiy connects to any and most networks. I did most testing on wifi networks that were open but required login screens.

- Zune is fully functional and awesome Came with headphones too :O.

More info to come later. This is pretty much the same thing as the Kin formfactor wise, with a clear data debundling with the software.

EDIT: To block data altogether, and avoid any data charges, follow these instructions from kin-tips:

Go to the Phone applicaiton. and dial this number
##77647266488
This will take you to the hidden menu application, the first thing it is going to ask you is to “Type the Service Programming Code:” This code by default is: 000000
This gives you the option to select the following.

Field Test Menu
Authenication Key
Network Tools
Cloud Server
Other
Import Contacts

Now from there, go to Network Tools, and then choose to Block data connections. This will not affect wifi, but data wont work anymore.

[Johnnyfeedback]

Should have my Kin twoM tomorrow
My contract was up and had the $50 every 2 years ,so the phone was free except
for the $29 car adaptor.
I liked my 2 year old Samsung with the 3mp camara but I felt a Upgrade would be nice
and keep the Samsung as a spare...
I think this phone is a steal
Surposed to have parts of Windows 7 installed
As I have been reading it Does have Facebook reading from the Verizon website.
I also think the Wifi is great too have if you ever need to check Emails
I think this Phone was surposed to have AOL also(maybe its gone?}
I am really looking for a phone just to use while I am driving
I don't need the data plan for the internet or the texting,I also have never used any of the camaras
I had in the past in the phones.
But I feel if I do go aways,it would be nice to have the wifi when staying
at a wifi hotel and hope that this phone can get internet radio on the wifi.......
Its also nice to be able to go into the Phone Menu and disable the Data funtion.
My friend just bought a Droid but I feel this is as good of a phone for the use I will
use it for without the extra money you have to spend with the Droid every month.............JS

[Grogck]

Sorry if dumb question, but does blocking data block sms/mms? My wife wouldn't need the web, but uses her Env3 extensively for messaging.

And how does it perform as an actual phone? One of the drawbacks of touchscreen can be it's not always best as an actual phone. I can circumvent this on my phone with shortcuts for most-used contacts, but didn't think the Kin interface was as customizable.

[Sailorcancer]

@Twitty

If most of what made the Kin the kind (the social stuff) has been removed what does the UI look like? If I'm not mistaken most of the social stuff was implemented on the homescreen. So if it's all gone what does the UI look like?

Think you could do a video of it or take some photos?

[ilvla2]

Wow, I thought Microsoft had killed them completely. After the last fiasco, I am surprised they want to bring them back.

[JoshMU]

Since most of the social apps have been removed, what's left?

With the data block enabled, what functions can I perform with this phone over a Wifi connection? Just using the built in web browser?

Are there any apps on the phone that won't work over the wifi connection?

[Twitty]

Sorry if dumb question, but does blocking data block sms/mms? My wife wouldn't need the web, but uses her Env3 extensively for messaging.

And how does it perform as an actual phone? One of the drawbacks of touchscreen can be it's not always best as an actual phone. I can circumvent this on my phone with shortcuts for most-used contacts, but didn't think the Kin interface was as customizable.

The method I outlined does block MMS data, and you have to go back and turn it back on to get MMS. I called VZW today and so far they were unsuccessful in just blocking web access for me. I have no idea why...

As a phone, it's call quality is alright, pretty mediocre. Theres a favorite "collage" when you swipe to the right on the home screen that allows you to call or text many of your favorite contacts. Ill post pics of this soon.

If most of what made the Kin the kind (the social stuff) has been removed what does the UI look like? If I'm not mistaken most of the social stuff was implemented on the homescreen. So if it's all gone what does the UI look like?

Think you could do a video of it or take some photos?

The UI has the home screen now being the Applications screen. There is no "loop" and now theres only the application screen and favorites. I'll post some pictures soon- Im taking them right now.

Since most of the social apps have been removed, what's left?

With the data block enabled, what functions can I perform with this phone over a Wifi connection? Just using the built in web browser?

Are there any apps on the phone that won't work over the wifi connection?

Pretty much to list what is on the apps screen right now: Messages, phone, calendar, contacts, camera, music and more (zune), alarm, calculator, settings, search, email, browser.

I tried using (after blocking data from the hidden menu) WiFi and successfully used the built in browser. I didn't try the email yet.

Looking at the apps, none of them shouldn't work, except maybe Email. I dont see a place to download kin apps either.

Pictures coming up, keep questions coming!

[Twitty]

I had to take this with my old dare cause I dont know where my camera is..

Lock screen


You are allowed to lock your phone on unlock, which is a change from most feature phones forcing you to go through ten menus to lock your screen.



Home screen



Pretty much it's all the applications and stuff. It can rotate landscape or portrait.

Swipe to the left and you get favorites:



Messaging app shows everything. Even who you called and stuff.



Photo app is organized and standard. Swipe to the right and you get camera.



Zune app does all you expect from the zune. And FM radio



Calling app



Swipe leftways for call log



Heres messaging again, showing threaded texting:



Any questions or need to see more?

[nyyankees3511]

Can you text without the keyboard via t9?

[Twitty]

No, you have to use the keyboard. At least I havent found a virtual keypad as of yet. There might be a trick to it...

[nyyankees3511]

ah thats a let down. any other themes? automatic brightness? hows the screen?

[Twitty]

The other themes are really just color changes. Theres a Red, Green, Blue, and Pink scheme. Automatic brightness exists, but IMO is too dark for me. Had to make it manual. The screen is wonderful! Capacitive touch screen is responsive (albeit not as responsive as an iPhone, but we're comparing to feature phones). It's vibrant and quick to register most taps. However, on the web browser, you definitely have to zoom in (its multitouch) to press items, it's not as accurate as an itouch in getting small links.