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FCC filing from Option -- yes, Option -- outs new Sidekick details
The device itself has already been blessed with an FCC approval of its own, but it turns out that new Sidekick T-Mobile subscribers are patiently waiting for has a secret deep within its pretty shell: the radio guts are sourced directly from Option. We learn from filed documentation that the Belgian wireless specialist has crafted a custom module for the new phone called "Deimos," featuring an onboard Qualcomm MSM7201A core, 128MB of RAM, 256MB of ROM, AGPS, Bluetooth, microSD slot, and a stereo headset jack; HSDPA comes on the 850, 1700, and 2100MHz bands in addition to quadband EDGE, making it a perfect device for globetrotters and domestic 3G lovers alike. Interestingly, Deimos will be compatible with Sidekicks featuring Sharp's choice of 2 and 3 megapixel cameras and either 3- or 3.18-inch displays, but really, once you get above the magical 3-inch mark, who's counting? [Warning: PDF link][Thanks, Geert]
New Sidekick hits FCC with T-Mobile 3G
Occasionally, Sharp will pass a Japanese domestic market handset through the FCC for global roaming certification, but not this time. No, instead, we're seeing the PV300 -- and as any rabid Sidekick fan knows, Sharp's Sidekicks are referred to as "PV" followed by a three-digit number internally, so yeah, we're thinking this is probably the real deal. Of course, we've had no shortage of legit-sounding rumors in the past few months that there's a new high-end Sidekick on the way to T-Mobile shelves, and indeed, it should come as no surprise that this one is certified for AWS 3G -- the very kind T-Mobile uses -- along with the usual assortment of GSM / EDGE bands. Anyhow, see you shortly, dear Sidekick. Hopefully.
Sidekick 2009 caught strutting its stuff in the wild
We still don't know whether to call it the Sidekick 2009 or the Sidekick Blade, but either way, T-Mobile's upcoming hiptop has finally been caught on camera, looking just as it did in a survey from last month and later via render. Unfortunately, we can't glean any specs from the image, but the aforementioned questionnaire listed 3G, a 3.2-inch WVGA display, 3.2 megapixel camera, microSD card slot, and GPS with turn-by-turn navigation. Alright, Danger, you've made us believers -- now give us some official press shots to gaze upon lovingly.
Sidekick "Blade" detailed by anonymous tipster
Those Sidekick-crazed hipsters over at Hiptop3 have posted some impressions from a tipster who's purportedly used the Sidekick 2009 / LX 2009 / Blade. Apparently the handset -- which is actually called the "Montreal" by the guys in magenta -- looks just like those leaked images we've spotted before, and has a "more grown up feel" and flush keyboard.The keyboard-centric device is running DangerOS 5.0 (which may or may not be NetBSD based), and has a specialized app to access T-Mobile account info quickly. USB / headphone jacks reside on the bottom of the device, and there's also some new mood lighting. T-Mo will supposedly be marketing this one as the "Sidekick 2009," but that's unfortunately all the intel on sales so far. If the aforementioned deets have your fingers tingling, hit up the read link for even more, and start thinking of ways to pawn off that LX or Slide.
Canada's Fido deep-sixes Hiptop service
So, if you're on Fido with a Hiptop, your days are numbered as it appears Fido has starting informing customers -- by text, no less, not even a call -- that as of April 30th, the service is shutting down. Of course, having your service dumped from underneath you may put you in a pretty good position to bargain for goods and new sets, though, we have to ask: what would you move to? Samsung Jack? BlackBerry 8100? Yeah, sadly that's about it, though, there's always Rogers, Telus or Bell if you can't get what you want. Bye bye Hiptop, you'll be missed.
Purported Sidekick LX 2009 image surfaces
Outside of that dark, grainy, somewhat blurry slide detailing the Sidekick LX 2009, we've had no other images -- renders or otherwise -- to wrap our minds around. Now, we've got this (pictured above, clearly), which is a so-called mockup of the leaner, more streamlined new hiptop. Of course, we aren't about to bet the farm on something as unsubstantiated as this, but couple it with an in the wild shot and you just might make believers out of us.
Microsoft readies Zune service for non-Zune devices, Marketplace appears in WinMo 6.5 screenshot
We're just days away from Mobile World Congress where Microsoft is expected to make a few notable announcements. Until then, we have to settle for all the hints and innuendo we can gather as Redmond attempts to win back the hearts, minds, and pocketbooks of consumers infatuated with Android, WebOS, and whatever Apple's got cookin'. Like these supposed 6.5 screenshots above, this time showing what looks like a Marketplace store a la the Zune. We also have CNET reporting today that Microsoft quietly split its Zune team in two on January 22nd: software and services under Enrique Rodriguez, and hardware under Tom Gibbons who just happens to heads-up hardware design at Microsoft's Windows Mobile unit. According to Rodriguez, "Zune the service needs to transcend Zune the device" adding, "The goal is to make non-gaming entertainment a first-class citizen within Microsoft's business." That includes expanding the Zune service beyond the Zune and onto more devices than just Microsoft's. Or, "a little further out than just in Redmond," to quote Rodriguez directly. While he wouldn't say specifically when it was coming to Windows Mobile, he did say to expect products other than the Zune player to be using the Zune service sometime this year. Now, armed with those Zune-centric WinMo 6.5 screenshots and project Pink leaks, it's not too much a stretch to expect a Zune-like WinMo experience to be detailed in Barcelona. Besides, isn't it about time that Danger made good on that estimated $500 million acquisition?Read -- CNET interviewRead -- Latest WinMo 6.5 screenshots
One Shots: On the edge of the unknown
Get in, hit them, get out quick. Scan, web, fire. The universe of EVE Online is a treacherous place for even the most seasoned of pilots. You never know what's waiting through the next gate - will it be friends or foes? Will you live, or will you wind up tucking tail and running - hopefully actually in your ship, and not just in your pod. Today's One Shots shows off a great image of EVE Online sent in to us by Sered Woolahra, who captured an interesting view of one of many places where the edge of relative safety meets the unknown. Just another day of danger and risk in New Eden.Are you one of the many people who love the dangerous universe of EVE Online? If so, why not show us some of your most dangerous shots. We love the unstructured challenge of CCP's sandbox, and are always looking for great shots from New Eden. Just send those to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name. We'd love to hear your stories too, but those are never required. We'll show them off and give you the credit.%Gallery-9798%
Sidekick LX 2009 running Wind... er, NetBSD?
If Danger's going to switch up its Hiptop platform strategy in the era of Microsoft ownership, you think that it might be to... oh, we don't know, something even remotely Microsoft-related. Granted, shoehorning Windows Mobile 6.1 onto a Sidekick LX sounds like a match made in hell, but at the very least, they could start with a Windows CE base and attach a bunch of Danger-specific stuff with wood glue until the end result looked familiar to users. Alas, Hiptop3 is reporting its own sources in combination with some telling open job positions and notes from Danger employees to suggest that the upcoming Sidekick LX 2009 -- possibly to be known as the Sidekick Blade -- will actually feature an entirely new kernel based on NetBSD. Our only guess is that this fancy little project started well before the acquisition completed, and in the interest of getting a thoroughly modern, 3G- and GPS-equipped Sidekick into the market as quickly as possible, maybe Redmond begrudgingly greenlighted the remainder of the project. Good on you, Microsoft.
Sidekick LX 2009 outed in survey, could possibly be real
Whoa, whoa -- calm down hiptoppers. Don't act like you didn't know a new Sidekick was coming in the year two-thousand and nine. Actually, there is a fair reason to celebrate here, 'cause if these specs are true, the Sidekick LX 2009 will be a surefire winner. A reader over at HipTop3 reportedly came across this image above while taking an online survey, which -- as your eyes have no doubt confirmed -- shows off the very first 3G / GPS enabled Sidekick ever. Specs wise, it'll supposedly boast a 3.2-inch WVGA display (854 x 480), a 3.2 megapixel camera, microSD card slot, easy access to YouTube, MySpace and Twitter, turn-by-turn navigation and video recording capabilities. Sadly, there's still a sliver of a chance this could all be a hoax, but we know your brain isn't letting itself accept that fact at the moment, now is it?
PCD says new AT&T Quickfire, T-Mobile Sidekicks coming this year
We guess PCD's deal is that they just don't care about the traditional secrecy surrounding product pipelines. The company -- which does nothing more than run interference between carriers and second-tier manufacturers -- chronically leaks its own gear with booth graphics at trade shows, and now they've casually mentioned that there'll be a "couple" new Sidekicks coming to T-Mobile in 2009. It's about time that Danger and Sharp got together to make one of these things with 3G and / or WiFi, so that'd be cool. Also name-dropped is a new version of the Quickfire for AT&T, which seems a bit odd considering the first version just launched and already features 3G, a big touchscreen, and full QWERTY, so it's a bit unclear what they could bring to the table here. Next year, PCD expects to offer some WinMo- and Linux-based stuff (as always) and roll out some of the first devices packing LTE. PCD, we still don't entirely understand your raison d'être, but if you can seriously give us some LTE gear early next year, you've sold us.[Via Hiptop3]
Wii blamed for ridiculous increase in British hospital visits
Nintendo's Wii has been maiming careless gamers since the day it was launched, but an inexplicable uptick in Britain has professionals scratching their heads. According to Dr. Dev Mukerjee of Broomfield Hospital: "There has been a 100 percent increase in patients complaining of Wii-itis." Turns out, Wii-itis is their word for playing so much Wii that you injure yourself. Astonishingly, up to ten people per week are being "hospitalized with injuries caused by playing Nintendo Wii games," which has forced medical personnel to "issue warnings of the dangers associated with the video game system." Some of the most common injuries are Wii-knee (seriously) and tendon stretching / tearing, both of which could likely be avoided if gamers would bother to stretch before breaking a sweat. Sheesh -- what do folks even learn in Physical Education these days?
E-waves chip to fend off mobile phone radiation, turn water to wine
Belgium's own Omega Pharma is setting out to do something phenomenal -- it's looking to sell a chip that it claims will "counter potentially damaging radiation from mobile phones." The outfit currently sells all sorts of non-prescription products (wart treatments, pregnancy tests, snake oil, etc.) to pharmacists, and it's hoping the E-waves phone chip will totally get the company name on the worldwide map. Reportedly, testing of the device showed that it "lessened symptoms such as headaches and loss of concentration that might be associated with mobile phone use," and if you believe that, it'll also lessen the amount of cash in your wallet by around $50. It seems the unit will launch strictly in Europe at first, but the outfit is ready and willing to produce as many millions as it needs to satisfy the sure-to-be-crazy demand.[Via phonescoop]
Cellphones are dangerous/not dangerous: leaky fillings edition
We're not even going to pretend we fully grasp what's going on here, but the long and short of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences' latest findings are that cellphones can trigger the release of mercury from one's fillings. Yes, seriously. The study asserts that out of 14 test subjects with fillings, those who used mobile phones had a statistically significant increase of mercury from urine tests than those who refrained from yapping. The science behind all of this is far beyond our IQ levels, but we're a little freaked out/not freaked out, regardless.[Via textually]
T-Mobile inexplicably revives Sidekick iD, sells for $49.99
Not being manufactured anymore, huh T-Mobile? So explain this, why don'tcha? In a move that we can only assume was made to clear out just-spotted excess inventory, T-Mobile is actually offering up the once-canned Sidekick iD on its website. Nothing looks to have changed -- you'll still be getting an unequivocally low-end hiptop, just to make sure we're clear -- but now it can be had for "just" $49.99 on contract. Which honestly, is pretty insulting given that it was only $50 more in April of 2007.[Via Hiptop3]
Recalled: 35,000 volatile Sony batteries in Dell / HP / Toshiba laptops
Ruh roh. We're really, really hoping this isn't just the first of another long string of laptop battery recalls, but the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with a slew of other outfits, has just announced a voluntary recall of around 35,000 Sony laptop batteries. As you'd expect, the Li-ions in question "can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers," and there have already been 19 reports of overheating including 17 reports of flames / fire and two reports of consumers getting mildly burnt. For the full list (and it's pretty long) of affected laptop models from HP / HP Compaq, Toshiba and Dell, be sure to give the read link some serious attention. Oh, and stop using that battery pronto if yours is one of the afflicted.
G1 themes help Sidekick users cope with feelings of inadequacy
Look, we know how it goes. Rent before new phone. 18 months left on your contract. Your mom kicked you out. They're all very valid reasons to keep on keepin' on with your current Sidekick, but that still doesn't alleviate the pain felt by wanting a T-Mobile G1 with every fiber of your being, now does it? Enter CubanitaStylezz, a theme designer who has taken the time to craft a few new ones for your Sidekick LX / Sidekick Slide / etc. that will make you feel just like the proud new owner of a G1. Almost. At any rate, tap the links below to get your poser on -- and remember, there's no shame in that game.[Via Hiptop3]Read - G1 themes for Sidekick IRead - G1 themes for Sidekick II
Cellphones containing nickel could cause rashes, loss of "game"
According to the UK's Telegraph, mobile phones are responsible for yet another one of the great terrors of the 21st century: dermatitis. Apparently, "skin specialists" have discovered that certain metals used in cellphones are causing some users to suffer inflamed, reddened, dry, blistered, and cracked skin. Sounds awesome, right? It seems that about a third of heavy talkers are sensitive to nickel -- a substance commonly found in gadgets -- which can become irritating after repeated exposure. Says Brown University's Dr. Lionel Bercovitch, "Given the widespread use of cellphones, the presence of metal in the exterior casing of these phones and the high prevalence of nickel sensitization in the population, it is not surprising that cellphones can cause allergic contact dermatitis." There's probably little you can do to out-and-out escape the problem, so we suggest full face mask whenever a call needs to be made -- also, for dinner parties.
Did you cheap out on a TV stand? It probably just got recalled.
Let's be honest -- after sinking a few large on a new HDTV, a few hundies on some overpriced cables and even more on HD programming, you weren't about to cough up another month's paycheck for a decent TV stand. For the 48,600 customers out there who purchased one of four different King Pao Enterprise TV Stands (likely sold and distributed by Studio RTA), you now have a product known for tipping over and ruining lives. The E Series, Fierro, Madison DLP and Madison 3000 -- all of which were sold at Best Buy and other big box retailers from May 2004 to August 2008 -- have been deemed unstable and unfit for use in your living room, and it's suggested that you cautiously remove your set and wait for a "repair kit" before it does the removing for you. Godspeed.
Apple issues a recall for its 'Ultracompact USB Power Adapter'
Hey, remember that tiny power adapter you got with your new iPhone? Well guess what? It could get a little dangerous -- so Apple wants you to swap it for a newer, less dangerous one. Apparently, the adapter's metal prongs can break right off, thus creating a "risk of electrical shock" and general mellow-harshing. The company issued a recall today for any of the "Ultracompact USB Power Adapters" which came with iPhone 3Gs in the US, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and "several Latin American countries" (don't worry, they've got a list). Check the read link to figure out if you've got the bad kind of adapter, and for goodness sake, be careful when unplugging that thing!
