A bit of a detour from the usual fare of politics around here, but I was actually intrigued by the concept.

If you don’t know, Kin was supposed to be your social networking companion. Developed by Microsoft, it was a phone that supposedly made updating Facebook, Twitter, and the rest easier on the go. The device had a touch screen, keypad, and built-in camera.

Today, the concept is dead:

Just six weeks after launch, Microsoft’s Kin, the social phone we wanted to love, is dead. Microsoft is ending its short life, sources close to Microsoft tell us.

There won’t be a separate Kin product anymore. Effective immediately, Andy Lees is shoving the entire Kin team into the core Windows Phone 7 team, so there will just be one big group to focus on Windows Phone 7.

The major reason? Sales. Microsoft never confirmed (or denied) that only 500 Kins were sold, but it’s clear that the response has been completely underwhelming. Otherwise, why kill a project that was in development for years after just a few weeks? (And cost millions.)

Apparently the price didn’t help. Though Verizon priced the devices at just $29 (Kin One) and $49 (Kin Two), the monthly plan’s price killed the buzz.

Microsoft promises that those who purchased the Kin will continue to receive service, and supposedly Verizon will try to sell the devices already manufactured. But the Kin won’t be shipping in Europe and the dedicated team will be moved to focusing on the Windows Phone 7 launch.