Microsoft has entered the phone market! The new phones, Kin One and Kin Two will hit the US market in May through Verizon, and through carrier Vodafone Group PLC (which owns Verizon Wireless in partnership with Verizon Communications Inc.), in Germany, Italy, Spain and The United Kingdom later this fall. Microsoft did not mention a release date for Canada.

Microsoft unveiled two new Smartphones on Monday

At a press event in San Francisco on Monday, Microsoft’s Robbie Bach and Derek Snyder unveiled the Kin mobile phones. Based on the Windows 7 operating system, the new Smartphones will have extensive social networking built in and will also be able to access the Zune music service. There are some other cool features. Both Kins are black with screens that respond to multiple finger gestures, similar to the “multitouch” technology on the iPhone. The shorter Kin One has a full QWERTY keyboard that slides out from the bottom, while the Kin Two has a full QWERTY keyboard that comes out from its side. Both include Wi-Fi access and cameras capable of taking higher-resolution photos than most handsets. The Kin One will include a 5-megapixel camera, while the Kin Two will have an 8-megapixel camera. The Kin Two will also be capable of shooting HD-quality video.

The Kin handsets will not be obviously branded as Microsoft products. They will sport a sizable “Kin” logo on the back and, in smaller type, an indication that they are Windows phones from Verizon and Sharp. Another thing to be wary of is that the Kin devices won’t allow you to download add-on software applications. You will be stuck with whatever Microsoft deems necessary.

Am I rushing out to buy one? Not likely. I am more interested in the Droid technology. But for teenagers and those totally addicted to social media networking, these Kin phones may be an affordable way to go. Of course Verizon’s subscriber service will be very costly since in addition to the unlimited talk and text access ($89.95 per month), you will need to subscribe to their $29.95 per month data subscription. This can run about $120 per month, so parents beware! Without the unlimited subscription service, most teens will “overshoot” their monthly plans, costing even more.

So what about you? Ready to become a Kin user?

Google announced it is postponing the launch of the Android phones in China due to cyber spying coming from China. Google says it can no longer accept the censoring of search results on its site in China. Because of this, analysts say it could drastically hurt both Motorola and Samsung who have placed a big emphasis on the Droid phones.

Google postpones launch of Droid phones in China

What is the Droid phone without the Google applications? Without being able to access Google on the phone, many users may opt for Apple’s iPhone or the BlackBerry. If this postponement becomes a cancellation, this could have a devastating effect on not only Motorola and Samsung, but may impact Google’s stability as a business partner.

Would you be interested in a Droid phone without the Google maps, email and search? The Android is an open source system, so phone makers could still market in China, and perhaps utilize a different set of apps. This wouldn’t be good for Google, but Motorola and Samsung may still benefit from selling in China. Will China’s consumers embrace the iPhone or BlackBerry? So far the users in China have balked at the high price items.

Motorola may still come out okay in the China market. China Mobile and China Telecom have existing commitments to sell Motorola’s Droid phones. And so far, this is just a delay, not a cancellation by Google.

Most concerning to me is the cyber spying in China targeting Google. We all use Google. Many of us use Google’s applications to centralize our bookmarks, documents and email. This brings up a question of security for a lot of us. It makes me want to back up my files shared on Google and remove them from the Google service.

Are you concerned? Are we being naïve about using online document backup?

New iPhone application gives you a new way to make a bank deposit. Texas-based USAA Bank has developed a new application that lets you use the photo of your check to make a deposit to your bank account.

Snap a photo and make a deposit

Deposit@Mobile is the latest way to avoid driving to your bank or ATM. Simply log into your account, take a photo of the front and back of a check you wish to deposit and upload it to the bank. Done! Money deposited. How cool is that?

The future of banking is changing!! Deposit your checks from anywhere in the world! Don’t want to take the time to go to the bank or ATM? Deposit from home, or the office, or while sunbathing on the weekend. There is instant verification and the check can then be destroyed. (See the link to the video clip to learn more.)

Texas-based USAA Bank caters to the military but only has one branch. Imagine how convenient it is for someone stationed far away from home to be able to make phone deposits.

So far, only the iPhone has this application. Makes you want to run out and get one, eh? Of course you would have to sign up for a bank account in Texas as well. But the future is knocking on our door. It won’t be long before more banks offer this service, and then other Smartphones will fall in line as well.

I think this is too cool for school. What about you?

New spinning kinetic cell phone battery is the newest “green” technology! Ever needed just a few more minutes of talk time before being able to charge your batter? This new battery can be charged by twirling it on your finger a few times (well really 130 times), giving you a couple of more minutes to talk or text.

Twirl your battery to life

Clean, green energy! While it doesn’t take care of all of your charging needs, it does report to give you 2 more minutes of talk time and 25 minutes of standby power. Unfortunately, this is still in the design stage and hasn’t been released to the market yet.

photo credit: Swinging Green

More green please!! What’s your take on it? Will we be seeing users walking around twirling soon?

The new cell phones made in China are hitting the market faster and faster every day. The novelty phones are especially hot sellers, while still offering the full features we are used to. The prices seem to very cheap, but then add in $35 to ship it from China and it’s not so cheap. Then there is the scary thought of dealing with a foreign company for a warranty, if they even ship it.

Made in China, released faster to market

An additional concern is whether the phone will work in the US. And if you want a replacement battery, forget it. Most US-based battery companies only stock batteries for phones sold in the US.

Will I be buying a foreign market phone? Absolutely not. What about you?

Daizi Xheng, a Chinese developer has modified a Nokia cell phone to use Coca Cola as a fuel source. The fuel source could be any sugary solution, but Coke is widely available.

Coca Cola, not just a soft drink

The bio battery phone uses an open fuel cell battery that you refill with Coke. If you aren’t careful pouring in the Coke, your phone could get quite sticky! The developer claims one full battery last four times as long as the standard Li-Ion battery it replaces.

This battery/phone may not be as eco-friendly as you might think. Consider the packaging of the Coke, the transportation, etc., as all part of the cost. Of course if you use canned Coke you can recycle the cans.

This biofuel battery is a cool idea but perhaps not very practical. Still, I give the developer a thumbs up for being inventive.

Google, Inc. will begin selling its new Nexus One cell phone in 2010. In the beginning, the phone will be sold without being tied to any ONE cell phone provider. The downside is that by being an “unlocked” cell phone, the cost of the device will no doubt be pretty pricey.

New Google Phone unlocks the Android

Google tries to take the market share from Apple’s iPhone (AT& T). Nexus One uses the new Android platform, giving users many application choices. The Google version of the Droid will try to directly challenge iPhone’s market share. Will it make the mark? Google has designed almost the entire software interface on the phone to make it feel more like the Google applications on the web that we have all come to know and love.

The new Nexus One uses a touch screen like the iPhone but has a few buttons on the bottom. Will it be as user friendly? The Android platform is gaining popularity and the only cell phone provider that doesn’t have a Droid phone is AT&T. (Wouldn’t want to alienate Apple…)

Will software developers embrace Nexus One? Most of the developers focus their efforts on the iPhone due to its widespread popularity. But if Google and HTC (the contracted manufacturer for Nexus One) can produce these new phones at a reasonable cost, who knows? The developers follow the popularity and money trail.

Not being an AT&T customer has limited me being able to have an iPhone. I am very interested in seeing this new phone next year. Besides, I like the idea of having a little Droid working for me. Do you think the Droid will take the place of the mighty Apple? How will Apple retaliate? I see the wicked witch offering Snow White a bite of a poisoned apple…

Can the American Gaijin understand Japanese Ads?

Am I missing something? The brief translation of this ad is that Taratino’s character, Uncle Tara-chan, gets a call from his wife demanding he come home at once. The basis for the ad (I think) is advertising the use of a cell phone speaker so the entire family can hear the call. While the ad is somewhat humorous, unless you understand the Japanese culture I think the humor is lost on the American Gaijin (barbarian).

Perhaps Softbank should change its ad company’s campaign name to SlapStick. Apparently Softbank regularly uses American stars for its advertising spots, most of which are this brand of humor. Brad Pitt and Cameron Dias are just a couple of the major stars raking in the big bucks for appearing in these ads. I think Softbank has gone over the top on the silliness of this ad. Or perhaps it’s just me and my lack of appreciation for the Japanese style of humor.

So, are you a Gaijin or humor savvy?