Windows Phone 7 devices may be leaking 3G data, Kin-like online features on the way

Users of Windows Mobile 7 devices are reporting heavy 3G data usage while their phones are idle, something that could pose a problem for those with limited data plans.

But at least there may be some good news on the horizon for Windows Phone users: A recent interview with Microsoft’s Aaron Woodman hinted that some of the cool online features from Microsoft’s failed Kin phones may make it to Windows Phone’s Live online service.

The 3G data usage problem still hasn’t been confirmed by Microsoft, but it definitely seems to be affecting a number of users, who say their phones are using multiple megabytes of data while idling. Even worse, the phones appear to be ignoring WiFi connections — meaning you’re not even safe when on your home network.

As Engadget points out, that data usage could quickly add up: 2 megabytes of data used for a month could add up to around 1.5 gigabytes of data. AT&T’s largest current data plan offers a mere 2 gigabytes to new customers.

Hopefully Microsoft will address the issue in its upcoming Windows Phone 7 update. For now, some users are finding that setting their mail to manually update, and turning off location services, helps curb the data drain.

As for the other news, it certainly makes sense for Microsoft to bring some aspect of the Kin’s online experience to Windows Phone 7. While the Kin devices were fundamentally flawed from the start, they did offer a cool feature dubbed “Kin Studio” that automatically uploaded pictures and content from the phones to a centralized online location. At least some aspect of that service could make its way to Windows Phone 7, according to Woodman, who said it’s “part of the road map to have enriched services that make the phone more meaningful, and the Web more meaningful.”

Via Engadget 1, 2