Someday, on eBay, Microsoft's short-lived Kin phones may command a high price — and some respect. But for now, the phones, released by Microsoft in May, and discontinued at the end of June, can't even have an online memorial without getting booted. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal.)
On July 2, a Web page "good-bye" of sorts for the two Kin devices was posted at ForeverMissed.com, but it was taken down. Folks who run the site say it’s for people — not tech.
Those who feel kinship with the Kins say they're looking for "a new home" on the Web. "Please be patient as we look for one," they note at KinRIP.com.
The two Kin models, carried by Verizon Wireless, are social-networking handsets aimed at those in their teens and 20s.
When the phones were released, prices were $50 for the small Kin One and $100 for the larger Kin Two. Those prices were reduced to $30 and $50 respectively. While the cost of the phones themselves was not onerous, a requirement to pay $30 a month for a data plan may have hurt sales.