Gadgets Blog » Windows Vista

While Microsoft built its computing empire via agressive expansion tactics and developing products suited to consumer use, the computing giant seems to be lagging behind some of its competitors here in the 21st century. The relatively poor Windows Vista operating system damaged the company’s reputation, hurting their vice-grip on the personal computer market.

At the same time, rival companies like Apple and newcomer Google have managed to create computing empires based upon parts of the market where Microsoft was absent. Today’s news story seems to underscore this trend. Hot on the heels of Apple’s iPhone 4 and just before a slew of Android-equipped smartphones, Microsoft has abandoned its KIN smartphone.

This news, in some ways, was a while coming for the KIN. The device, which was different from other smartphones in several key ways, has been canceled for its European release later this summer.