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Sidekick Slide now available, $199 to put it in your pocket
Before, life was simple: there was the Sidekick LX, unquestionably the most desirable Sidekick on the market -- an easy decision for folks looking to get into the whole Danger craze or upgrade that janky, old Sidekick 3. Suddenly, though, things have taken a complicated turn now that the Sidekick Slide is available, too. The Motorola-sourced Slide has now hit T-Mobile's website and store locations for $199 alongside the recently launched LX from Sharp, and while the $299 LX still takes the spec crown (thanks largely to a much larger, crisper widescreen display), the Slide's more compact -- and after having played with both, we're kinda down with the Slide's looks and its blasphemous slide mechanism, too. A tough decision, we know, so why don't you head down to your local joint and play with 'em both for yourself?
Hands-on (again) with the Sidekick Slide for T-Mobile
The widescreen Sidekick LX has cast a long, ominous shadow over the release of the Sidekick Slide, threatening to take a whole lot of steam over the baby Hiptop's launch -- Motorola's first -- come November 7. Guess what, though? Every time we put our hands on the Slide, we're liking it more and more. The thing feels rock solid, the slide mechanism seems like it'll probably be a lot less prone to issues than the pivot found on other models (while spring loading still makes it satisfying to use) and the black / violet color combo isn't the least bit abrasive in person. Even though Danger and T-Mobile have sourced this model to Moto instead of the usual suspect Sharp, make no mistake that this thing's every bit as much a Sidekick inside -- the software's the same and the controls are all where you'd expect them to be. Our only real complaints here: the keypad's a little tricky to use thanks to a dearth of tactile feedback, and after playing with the LX, the Slide's display is a low-res disappointment that leaves a heap of black margin around the edges where additional screen real estate should be. Check out our lil' library of eye candy here while you get amped for next week's launch!%Gallery-9567%
Hands-on with the Sidekick Slide!
Whoa there, hold up on that Sidekick LX purchase for one hot second! We played ever so briefly with Motorola's Sidekick Slide for T-Mobile at CTIA this week, and we think some folks might like this one better in person than in photography. Does that make it better than the LX? Not really -- you're dealing with a smaller screen here, not to mention that you sacrifice the trademark pivot action -- but for a hundie less than its stablemate, it might see some retail action after all. Click on for the closest most of us'll get to a Slide until the November 7 launch!%Gallery-9178%
T-Mobile's Sidekick LX now available to new subscribers, too
Sorry, T-Mobile veterans, the window of opportunity to flaunt your recently-acquired Sidekick LXs just expired. That's right -- everyone's now entitled to lay paws on Sharp's latest lovechild with Danger now that existing subscribers have gotten their fill from a limited launch on October 17. To celebrate the glorious occasion, the Sidekick Wiki's giving away handsets to two lucky souls; entering the contest isn't a bad idea, but for anyone looking for a more direct, surefire way to get hold of a unit, T-Mobile stores should be rocking these things in full force now for $299 on contract. So what's it gonna be: blue, brown, or wait for the Slide?
Hands-on with the T-Mobile Sidekick LX
The full-scale launch doesn't come until the 24th, but current subscribers can get their grubby paws on Danger's latest and greatest starting today. Needless to say, the Sidekick LX is the best Hiptop to date; we were pleasantly surprised with the handset's build quality, the blue shell with chrome trim looks pretty slick, and the bright, crisp widescreen display is simply glorious. Can't get to the store just yet? No worries, we've got you covered with a bunch of shots that should make the day fly by just a little quicker!%Gallery-8722%
iPhone report: most owners left Treos, Sidekicks behind
While we've seen a variety of surveys pitting the iPhone against its most notable rivals, a recent study conducted by the NPD Group breaks down the numbers behind who left what phone (and what carrier) to acquire an iPhone. Not surprisingly, iPhone early adopters were "ten times more likely than other new phone buyers to have previously owned a Treo and three times more likely to have owned a T-Mobile branded phone, such as the popular Sidekick model." When it came to carriers, Alltel and T-Mobile were said to have lost the most customers to AT&T, as consumers who "switched carriers to buy an iPhone were three times more likely to switch from Alltel or T-Mobile than from other carriers." Notably, the lack of "corporate email support" was pinpointed as the main reason that many BlackBerry users didn't make the leap, but it did praise the iPhone for helping to "bridge the gap between consumer-focused feature phones and productivity-focused smartphones."
T-Mobile's Sidekick LX gets pictured, loved
Most of us have to wait until late October to get our hands on Danger's latest Hiptop sensation, but Boy Genius Report? Yeah, not so much on the waiting. Mr. Genius has scored a retail example of the LX, playing with the device and shooting a handful of glamor shots in the process. Despite its size -- it's quite a bit larger than its Slide stablemate -- it's said to be thin, comfortable, and "right" in the hand, the operating system is predictably Danger perfect, and the display is supposed to be a total stunner. Makes the wait that much harder, doesn't it? Hit the read link for the full gallery!
T-Mobile announces Sidekick LX and Sidekick Slide
Capping off months of rumor and speculation, T-Mobile and Danger have announced two new Sidekicks today targeting decidedly different segments of the market. The Sidekick LX takes over as the new king of the Hiptop hill, boasting a Sidekick-first wide QVGA display -- touted as incorporating technology borrowed from Sharp's AQUOS televisions, no less -- along with configurable mood lighting, 1.3 megapixel camera with flash, and 128MB worth of bundled microSD memory. Meanwhile, the 4.6 x 2.4 x 0.68-inch Sidekick Slide becomes the first Hiptop device to come from Motorola, the first to ditch the trademark swivel display, and the first to go on a serious diet (anyone who's used a Sidekick of old knows that it ain't exactly small) while still packing the same functionality and 1.3 megapixel cam as its big sib. Look for the LX to hit store shelves come October 24 in your choice of "midnight blue" and "espresso brown" for a cool $299 on contract; the Slide slides in (sorry, couldn't help it) two weeks later on November 7 in a black / deep purple combo for a Franklin less at $199.%Gallery-7797%
T-Mobile rolls deep with designer Sidekicks for charity
T-Mobile teamed up a while back with a bunch of fashionistas to design elaborately redone Sidekick 3s to benefit Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, an organization raising money to benefit breast cancer causes worldwide to the tune of some $40 million since its inception in 1994. The results are in -- and while we can't comment on the usability or aesthetic goodness of what we're seeing, we've got to stay focused on the fact that it's all going to a very worthy group. Some of the names on the list of participating designers are big enough to drive prices way up on the auctions, we'd imagine, which all end today. So go place that massively generous bid of yours, and if anyone can figure out what the heck is going on with the Duckie Brown one, do let us know![Thanks, Jade C.]
T-Mobile's Sidekick LX gets an early date with eBay
Even though it looks like T-Mobile will be launching the Sidekick LX on October 24, some lucky individual has the chance to own one before launch thanks to an eBay auction. With bids starting at $600 and just over nine days to go, the highest bidder can be the envy of all the tweeners on the block. There's no way for the Engadget staff to validate the authenticity of this auction, but if you feel inclined to bid (and win) -- drop us a line and let us know what you think of it![Via Hiptop3]
Sidekick LX launching on T-Mobile October 24?
Sure, Photoshop is always a concern with this sort of business, but let's face it -- October 24 is a totally reasonable date for Sharp's latest Sidekick to launch considering how long we've been talking about it. This here is apparently a Sidekick-shaped card that'll be available in T-Mobile retail locations, promising its owner an actual LX come launch date. The reverse features a picture of the phone itself, which by all appearances seems to match up nicely with what we've seen so far. So, we ask again: Slide or LX?[Thanks, Ed]
T-Mobile, Danger introduce MySpace Mobile for Sidekick
Once Helio's claim to fame, mobile versions of MySpace are spreading across carriers large and small now; seems this whole social networking thing isn't a fad after all. The bulk of the Hiptop user base seems like a key MySpace demographic, so it makes sense that T-Mobile and Danger have joined the fray with a customized version of MySpace Mobile for the Sidekick range. The software's more than a simple mobile web portal, offering real-time status, profile editing, photo management, and communication with other members assembled into a decidedly Danger-like user interface. The companies are undertaking a "multi-week rollout" to the on-device Download Catalog beginning immediately with availability to all Sidekick 3 and iD users by the end of October, so enjoy your last few weeks of productivity while you can.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Sidekick Slide hits the FCC, user's manual and all
Previously leaked shots of Motorola's Sidekick Slide were met with a lukewarm reception -- take your pick of complaints from the bizarre color scheme, the unfortunate looking keypad, the lack of a swivel display, or the fact that there's little technological improvement here over the Sidekick 3 -- and we've gotta say, the FCC's unflattering shots aren't doing it any favors. For what it's worth, though, you can now peruse the user's manual of the upcoming release for T-Mobile, a device that'll launch alongside the arguably more desirable Sidekick LX from Danger's more seasoned hardware partner, Sharp. Besides some enthralling instructions on how to apply pressure to the display to slide it open, there's not much here of interest; one thing we noted was a blurb on page 7 referring to the device as the Hiptop 4, but we're guessing there's still some draft cleanup to do and it'll likely revert to Sidekick Slide branding throughout by the time it hits the presses.%Gallery-7570%
T-Mobile planning Sidekick release party in October?
There is nothing like a few rumors to get the blood pumping, right? According to the MySpace page of DJ AM, the veteran DJ of the Sidekick launch parties, he's scheduled to play a "T-Mobile Private event" on October 16th. With a launch party eminent, the only question is which Sidekick will Tmobz be unleashing on the public? Will it be the Sidekick LX or better yet could it be Motorola's stab with the Sidekick Slide -- anyone up for a gentleman's bet?
Sidekick LX "Shuriken" in the wild?
Is it just us, or does this thing look... well, not that great? This here is allegedly a shot of the upcoming Shuriken / Sidekick LX / Sidekick 4 -- Sharp's next-gen Hiptop alongside Motorola's Sidekick Slide -- doing its thing in the wild. Sadly, the case looks like cheap black plastic, the keyboard looks bizzare, and the chrome speaker looks out of place, though we suppose those bits could all be little pieces of preproduction indiscretion. Fortunately, the rumored 3-inch widescreen display should go a long way toward making up for any lingering ugliness when it launches in the not-too-distant future, but the Slide's looking a little better now, ain't it?
Sharp's Sidekick "Shuriken" hooks up with FCC
We're still not sure whether this is the legit Sidekick 4 -- you know, the true successor to the Sidekick 3, as opposed to some tangential compromise like the Sidekick iD -- but we're definitely encouraged by Sharp's internal designation for this sucker. It's been assigned the model number "PV250" to be exact, which would put it above the Sidekick 3's PV200 (and well above the iD's PV150), suggesting that the Shuriken is likely the next-gen Sidekick we should all be getting excited about, not the Slide from Motorola. Then again, it seems like there isn't much new here; it should get a healthy 3-inch widescreen display, which is nice and all, but 3G data is still nowhere to be found. Guess you need a functioning 3G network to offer 3G devices, eh, T-Mobile?
"Shuriken" is Sharp's Sidekick 4?
Remember those renderings of two upcoming Sidekicks, one labeled the "Sidekick Slide" and the other called out simply as the "Sidekick"? We now know a heck of a lot more about the Slide, and it seems the mysterious "Sidekick" might be getting outed now, too. Hiptop3.com is reporting that the handset is codenamed "Shuriken," a device that will ultimately become the Sidekick 4 sporting a full 3 inch widescreen display, microSD slot, and 1.3 megapixel camera. Unlike the Motorola-made Slide, the Sidekick 4 will be made by Danger's old pal Sharp. None of this is verified, of course, but the leaked screen cap is calling out a Q4 release -- in Germany, at least -- so we'll know soon enough.[Thanks, EC and Boy Genius]
More Sidekick Slide eye candy
The single picture of the Sidekick Slide from Danger (alias "Zante" in codename parlance) posted yesterday on Boy Genius Report left us wanting for... oh, say, 27 more pictures, to be precise. That gallery is now live, showing the Motorola "M" logo (a first for a Danger device) in all its metallic glory, some comparo shots to a Sidekick 3, and -- of course -- the obligatory iPhone shot. Check it out![Thanks, EC]
Danger Zante / Sidekick Slide in the wild
Boy Genius has scored some hands-on time with the undisputed hottest member of Danger's Hiptop lineup, the so-called "Zante," also known (as best we can tell, anyway) as the Sidekick Slide for T-Mobile. Sharp, we love ya and all, but we've got to hand it to Motorola for producing what looks to be a nice lil' device. Hit the link for the goods.
Future Sidekicks: LX and LE?
There's growing evidence in the ever-vigilant Sidekick community to support the suggestion that Danger will be rocking out with not one, not two, but a whole bounty of new models in the coming year. Unfortunately, we still don't really know with certainty what's what -- there's a device being referred to as the "Slide" (which may also be the "Zante"), there's likely a Sidekick 4 in there somewhere (which may or may not be the same thing as the Slide), and now we have the "LX" and "LE" to worry about. A series of posts over on Hiptop3.com has managed to gather evidence suggesting that a Sidekick LX and Sidekick LE are both on the way; if the leaked T-Mobile document wasn't enough proof, it turns out that the carrier has secured the rights to the domains sidekicklx.com and sidekickle.com. There's seems to be a lot of hardware in play here from Sharp and Motorola so we're going to keep the speculation to a minimum, but it seems Danger's doing alright for itself, eh?[Thanks, Ed]
