First it was the Sidekick Gekko, then the Sidekick 2008 and now just the ‘Sidekick’.  T-mobile has an interesting way of releasing the next iteration in the Sidekick family by losing all unique identifiers in the name.  The 2008 Sidekick has smaller dimensions than the Sidekick LX in both length and weight which result in a smaller screen while still maintaining the WQVGA resolution.  The 2008 Sidekick’ stand-out feature are interchangeable shells which customers can design themselves for $15 or choose from pre-designed shells.  Although the Sidekick iD had the option of interchangeable shells, the 2008 Sidekick delivers the same specifications as top of the line Sidekick LX with a form factor just between the size of the LX and Slide.  

As usual T-mobile has not updated the 2008 Sidekick to include support for their AWS 1700MHz 3G network so once again you will be stuck with quadband GSM/EDGE.  Bluetooth 2.0 support with Stereo Bluetooth, a 2.0 megapixel camera with video capture, 512MB memory card and USB connectivity are still included in the 2008 Sidekick.  Beyond the interchangeable skins, the biggest selling point for the 2008 Sidekick is that it is priced at $150 which is half the cost of the LX and it packs the exact same feature set.  Although we would really have liked to see some upgrades to the Sidekick lineup, the $150 dollar price point is an attractive option considering the Sidekick still delivers the best physical keyboard in the industry and we never get tired of the simple and effective Danger OS.

 

The new T-Mobile Sidekick is also much smaller than its predecessor but doesn’t sacrifice on functionality; the Sidekick comes fully loaded with video capture and playback ability, IM, text-messaging, e-mail and phone, as well as stereo Bluetooth, Quick Find and a 2.0 megapixel camera. The Sidekick is also equipped with multi-media features such as customized Web surfing, an enhanced IM experience and more storage for ringtones, multimedia messages and voice messages.”

Additional T-Mobile Sidekick Features Include:

• Easily personalized exterior that provides customers the ability to create “shells” on their own terms.
• Record, play and share videos: record videos using the camera; receive video attachments from e-mail, picture messaging, or side load videos to the microSD card; play video using the built-in media player; share videos via e-mail, Bluetooth or picture messaging
• T-Mobile myFaves-enabled
• Horizontal swivel screen and full QWERTY keyboard (manufactured by Sharp)
• WQVGA screen with high-definition LCD technology
• Personalized Web surfing: PC-like, full-size layout or standard Sidekick screen-size layout to scroll and read a page; use Mini Page to zoom out on an overview of an entire Web page; save images from Web pages to the microSD card
• Customized IM experience: create and join group chats, set custom status messages, search for friends in a buddy list and see who is logged into IM to immediately start a conversation
• Easy downloads: install and use downloads without the need to restart the device; set a theme as the device’s default instantly
• Store more information: Up to 25 ringtones, add up to five slides to multimedia messages, and up to 60-second voice messages
• Quick Find to search across all applications
• Dimensions: 4.7” x 2.3” x 0.7”, 5.3 oz.
• 2.6-inch display, 400×240 pixels
• 2.0 megapixel camera
• Quad-band world phone 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• GSM,GPRS,EDGE
• 512mb microSD memory card
• 1030mAh Lion battery
• Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP supports stereo Bluetooth and Bluetooth file transfer to other Bluetooth devices including Bluetooth photo printers.