A new smart phone called “Kin One” is introduced at a Microsoft news conference in San Francisco, California April 12, 2010. Microsoft Corp launched two new phones aimed at young people on Monday, marking a fresh assault on the low end of the growing smartphone market, where BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd and Apple Inc now dominate. ©Reuters

BEIJING, April 13 — Microsoft on Monday unveiled two new mobile phones dubbed “Kin One” and “Kin Two,” aiming at young consumers who emphasize social networking.

Both the new Kin phones have touch screens, slide-out QWERTY keyboards and cameras, and are powered by Windows Phone 7 Series software which Microsoft launched in February.

Kin One is smaller, designed to be used with only one hand, while Kin Two has a larger screen and keyboard and more memory.

Touting the Kin as a new kind of “social phone,” Microsoft said its new handset will have a fun and simple interface that can automatically bring together feeds from Facebook and other leading social networking services all in one place, making it easier for users to stay connected.

“Social’s part of the DNA of this phone,” said Derek Snyder, a product manager at Windows Mobile, at an unveiling event for the new phones in San Francisco, “social networks are the cornerstone of this experience.”

“Kin is an interesting attempt to target the 15 to 25 market,” said Ross Rubin, consumer electronics and wireless industry analyst at market research firm NPD Group.

“Even if the device does not turn out to be successful, Microsoft is introducing some concepts that might be useful,” Rubin added.

The two new phones are being manufactured by Japan’s Sharp, and will be sold in the United States by U.S. telecom carrier Verizon Wireless online in early May and in stores shortly thereafter.

The phones will also be available in Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain in the fall by Vodafone Group PLC, which owns Verizon Wireless in partnership with Verizon Communications Inc. 

On Xinhua Web site: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/sci/2010-04/13/c_13248722.htm