Microsoft job posting hints at Kin features for WP7
The after taste of the Kin failure might still be lingering in Redmond and the hearts and minds of Verizon execs, but that does not mean that the boys responsible for the ill-fated platform launch are planning to totally ditch the idea of having all your social news and feeds as well as phone life managed from a single location online.
Probably the most compelling feature about the Kin launch was the Kin Studio which allowed you to manage contacts, messages, Facebook feeds and Twitter feeds as well as photos and videos from a centralized location that could be accessed by ones browser.
Thanks to a vague job posting by Redmond based technology giant Microsoft, we have reason to believe that Microsoft is not totally shelving the idea of Kin Studio. According to the job listing:
Help us change the way people think about mobile phones. The Mobile Studio will redefine the mobile phone for millions of everyday users around the world. We are looking for an intuitive and driven User Interface Designer with the ability to conceptualize and lead the design of features built for mobile phones. This is an exceptional opportunity for someone who is excited about making a real impact on future mobile products and experiences.
The candidate will be part of a team that is responsible for extending and evolving the functionality of Windows Phone. We’re looking for someone that is forward-thinking and willing to challenge & provoke new ways to connect with our consumers. This position requires strong design, communication, and organization skills, and the ability to work across teams. You’ll also be expected to quickly broaden your technical understanding as new technologies become available. A deep understand of our customers and creating great product experiences is a must!
The candidate will work closely with a team of UI designers, industrial designers, user researchers, design managers, brand marketers and software engineers in a highly collaborative environment.
Of course the listing is very generic and it could mean nothing, but thanks to ZDNet’s Mary-Jo Foley who has had a good success rate of predicting Microsoft product features and what not, this will definitely be Kin Studio minus the Kin name and disappointment.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed and we’re hoping to hear some more information about this at next Month’s MIX event, so stay tuned.
Source: ZDNet
