Microsoft’s once-abandoned Kin mobile project now seems to be back in effect, as it’s returning to Verizon in the form of a niche,  teen-targeted phone. The Kin only sold a minor 8,800 units in its premier, but it seems it has a better outlook now, especially without the slightly overpriced plans that were offered with its first launch.

“We’re not saying they’re going to be super popular phones. We’re saying they have a better chance of selling than last time. So, instead of selling 8,800 phones like last time, maybe Verizon can sell 50,000 this time.”

The now Wi-Fi enabled Kin is yet another opportunity for Microsoft to promote and spread Windows Phone 7, but there’s still plenty of room for Microsoft to expand on the Kin’s return.  The ultimate goal of the phone is wrapped in Microsoft’s larger efforts for personal cloud access, with gaming trends around Kinect being a central aspect of this as well.  Despite its diminished importance for MS or Verizon, the Kin also represents another landmark for a relatively new and growing breed of smartphones: niche devices designed for specific markets of users.

Motorola is also in on this trend by launching 7 niche specific Android devices. This, along with the new Kin smartphones and similar trends from handset makers, provide a very good first glance at the potential of niche-specific devices, perhaps even beyond mobile.  This trend has the capacity to expand and tap onto countless markets, but it will require some serious efforts.