We're light on details and heavy on extraordinarily boring radiation analysis reports at this point, but the FCC's just cleared a Sharp device going by the model number PV150. Ring any bells? It should -- the
Hiptop 2 went by PV100 and the
Hiptop 3, PV200, suggesting that this'll be another Danger-developed device (as if the "Powered by Danger" on the ID label weren't evidence enough) slotting somewhere in between. Interestingly, there's no mention of 2.4GHz testing in the FCC docs, leading us to believe that the PV150 (Hiptop 2 1/2?) lacks Bluetooth and lending support to the theory that this is a lower-end device. On the upside, GSM 850 and 1900 are both on board, so T-Mobile would have little trouble slapping a "Sidekick" label on this one and rolling it out in these parts. Rest assured, we're going to be on the hunt for shots of this sucker.
[Via
Phone Scoop]
posted Jan 20th 2007 8:10AM
Ugh. I know what this is for. In Canada at least it's impossible to get flat rate Internet (on GSM networks). Instead they want to sell "unlimited limited" access - all the Blueberry access you can use, all the MSN messaging you can use, all the Hiptop you can use. This way, they can partially satisfy the customer (especially the addictive messaging ones) and not provide real Internet, which might lead us to, heaven forbid, VOIP. If the device has no Bluetooth or other nasty ways to share data, even better for the uncompetitive Canadian carriers.
I agree, our wireless carrier situation here in Canada is terrible.
I never use the Bluetooth on my SK3 (since it doesn't support stereo headphones) so I don't think stripping it would be a big loss. Wonder what else they'll drop. I do think the Sidekick is a great phone, so a more affordable model is good news.
And here I thought the Hiptop devices were already low-end.
i thought it was quite fishy that they discountinued the Sidekick 2 before the SK3 came out. the real reason was for this new Sidekick 2.5 .... aka Sidekick 2 lite.
i used to be a fan but honestly the screen sucks balls and so does the internet.
"...the screen sucks balls and so does the internet."
When did that become a bad thing? If I wrote product reviews, I'd reserve that line for the best of the best.
I just bought myself a SK3 a couple of months ago and I really like it though it's far from perfect. The BT is hobbled and doesn't really do anything (can't list to music, transfer files) and there are next to zero apps to download to make it a cooler device than it already is. It's also a bit slow to load pages (even slow for dial-up sometimes). So, taking away BT is a drag, but nothing major. It's more depressing that they're making it a cheaper/crappier machine than making it a same-priced-better machine.
It's the new Sidekick Boy Genius just talked about on his site. "surrounding a couple new Sidekicks. The first is going to be the "Sidekick ID". It's a lighter version of the Sidekick 3 with no camera, no MP3 player, and no Bluetooth. Supposedly very very thin. He says T-Mobile reps are scheduled to do a training on it March 6th."
C'mon guys read up.
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2007/01/20/t-mobile-nba-sidekick-razr-sidekick/