New T-Mobile Sidekick LX and Sidekick Slide
The barrage of new iPhone killers continues on a pace with updated versions of the popular and user-friendly T-Mobile Sidekicks. Though specs and rumors have been floating around the blogosphere for the past couple of months, the new Sidekick LX and Sidekick Slide are at last official and should be available from T-Mobile's Web site and retail stores in a couple of weeks.
True to their iPhone-killing essence, both new Sidekicks are significantly slimmed down, almost to the point of being as slim as the iPhone itself. But unlike the iPhone, these two quasi-smart-phones -- popular with teens, hipsters, and Hollywood types -- have actual keyboards that are among the more comfortable out there.
The Sidekick LX (pictured, above) retains the phone's signature swivel screen, but adds a WQVGA screen high-def LCD, mood lights that flash in different patterns depending on whether you're getting an SMS, IM, e-mail, or phone call, an improved Web browser with better JavaScript support (so more animated Web sites will work), and a custom MySpace app. Out on October 17th for $299.99 with a two-year service agreement, the LX comes in brown or blue.
The black and deep purple Sidekick Slide (pictured, right) eschews the swivel screen for a more traditional slide, but it's got the most sophisticated and sleek looks of any Sidekick so far (no surprise, given that it's made by Motorola, home of the RAZR). It's smaller than the Sidekick LX and has a little bit less battery time (5.9 hours of battery time versus the LX's 6.9 hours). The Slide is out on November 7th for $199.99 (with a two-year service agreement).
Both phones will feature the same cartoonish, user-friendly interface the Sidekick is famous for, as well as built-in, real-time, AOL IM, Windows Live and Yahoo! Messenger support. Also: Bluetooth, support for up to 4-gigabytes (GB) of external memory, and quad-band world phone capability.
The bulky size of previous Sidekicks was a big drawback, so we're loving these new slimmed-down handsets, but we're also a bit disappointed that the built-in cameras are still only 1.3 megapixels. And though the improved Web browser is welcome, it won't make much of a difference since neither device has Wi-Fi, so you'll have to depend on T-Mobile's less-than-broadband-idyllic EDGE network for data.
Then again, the Sidekicks have always been about those easy-to-use keyboards. If you're a heavy text-message- or e-mail-sender, you may want to pick one of these up next month.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mayenda @ Sep 26th 2007 1:20AM
That sounds pretty cool! Might get one.
Martina McConnon @ Sep 26th 2007 2:04PM
Hi Tom,
Would you like to review the Snowball USB microphone by Blue Microphones? I'd be happy to send you a unit - it's an amazing desktop mic ideal for podcasting, VOIP, speech recognition software, recording for home videos, video conferences, etc. Apart from great quality, it is a great looking gadget with sort of an Apple-like, retro design. Please let me know if you're interested.
Martina McConnon
www.mtechmarketing.com
www.bluemic.com
Julie @ Oct 7th 2007 10:15PM
does the sidekick slide also have the myspace application and does it have a mp3 player?
|bo0gz| @ Oct 16th 2007 12:01PM
its gotta be the FLIP they do one lil change nd make a whole new phone frm my sk1 to my sk2 to my sk3 (minus the horrible camera nd da mp3 all the rest could have been a regular over the air update)
NOT TOUCH SCREEN
NO TV
NO FM RADIO
PROLLY STILL TRASH INTERNET nd DEF NO YOUTUBE (not evn internet tabs)
PROLLY STILL A LIMIT ON EMAILS
CANT RECORD YOUR PHONE CONVOS. . cant record anything
ND THE WORSE THING THEY HAVE IS THEIR CAMERAS (i guess they did not even bother putting wun on the sidekick id) WORSE CLARITY IN PICTURES ND CANT RECORD VIDEOOOOs
VERY SENSITIVE FOR NO REASON [[ITZ NOT A TOUCH SCREEN]]. . (steam frm ur hot breath can give this thing water damage)
ND ALL THIS Hi-TECH STUFF JUST MEANS TO ME EVN SHORTER BATTERY LIFE
www.myspace.com/antbo0gz
Solomon @ Nov 21st 2007 8:29AM
Brand new,Unlocked , factory sealed and boxed Sidekick Lx in stock
for sale at US$300 per unit. All with warranty. Plus free shipping
Do reply to : globaltrades70@gmail.com or call me on +234-7028108089.
Thanks,
Solomon
Sy @ Jan 25th 2008 10:42PM
VOYAGER!!!
Verizons impeccable service & more feautures. The Sidekicks are just a NYC frenzy, let them die.
Celeste @ Mar 25th 2008 5:07AM
I hate the sidekick lx it was the worst 300 dollars I could have ever spent! I dont advise anyboby 2 get one unless its FREE! Its just like a regular phone only the screen is upgraded. Cant say I didnt tell u so.