Sidekick 3: The Official Blog Until The Sidekick 4 Comes Out: 06/01/2006

Opening Up The A Sidekick 3: A Rush of Joy

Sidekick 3 Forum #5: What Don't You Like?

WHAT DON'T YOU LIKE? Use the comment section below to let the Sidekick 3 community know what you don't like about your new toy.

Sidekick 3 Forum #4: Favorite Features

FAVORITE FEATURES: Use this section to comment on what your favorite features are on your new Sidekick 3.

Sidekick 3 Forum #3: Store Availabilty

STORE AVAILABILITY: Use the comment section here to comment on what stores have stock of the Sidekick 3 or what stores are planning on getting good shipments, quantities, etc.

Sidekick 3 Forum #2: Shipping Updates

SHIPPING UPDATES: Use the comments under this section for Sidekick 3 Shipping Updates and Information.

Sidekick 3 Forum #1: User Reviews

USER REVIEWS: I am going to attempt to use the Sidekick 3 blog as a comment forum, it's not perfect, but lets see if we can make it work. The comment section under this posting is for user reviews of the Sidekick 3.

What Are Your First Impressions of Your Sidekick 3?

I am opening up the comment section for all of the new owners today (all 2200 of you) to come in and share some of your thoughts and observations on the Sidekick 3. What do you like? What don't you like? How is the catalog section? Any new apps in there? What color is your trackball? Did you choose from a new list of ringtones? Did you order your Mini-SD card yet (see Amazon links below)? How did you transfer MP3s to your Sidekick 3? For those of you who ordered today, can you track your shipment yet? Check out the comment section below for the latest... - BSD

Live from T-Mobile in L.A. - Sidekick Central!

The line in L.A. is still crazy long, word is they got 1100 units of the Sidekick 3 in stock for the line waiters. The police are out in force and keeping people orderly and there is a DJ/mixer and a radio guy on site and people are freaking out with giddiness as they walk out of the store.

Bluetooth Headsets On Sale At Amazon.com

The West Coast Sidekick 3 Line

They can wait in lines just as well in Southern California as they can in New York when there is something cool about to launch.

Does Anyone Have Any Pics From the Sidekick 3 Line From the West Coast?

Feel free to send us any pics of the West Coast Sidekick line. Take some with your Sidekick II or even your brand new shiny Sidekick 3 and we will post them up for the world to see.

Amazon Deals on Mini SD Cards for your new Sidekick 3

New York T-Mobile Letting People in 7 at a Time

We understand T-Mobile people from all over Manhattan are staffing the Grand Central store and they just started letting people in, 7 at a time. The pandemonium is starting in New York and people will shortly begin walking out with their Sidekick 3s. Get read world for a whole new Sidekick world.

TONS OF SIDKICK II USERS UPGRADING TO SIDEKICK 3 ONLINE RIGHT NOW, IT'S LIKE CHRISTMAS!

Everyone and their mother is hitting me tonight and telling me they have upgraded and it's coming this week in the mail. The time has arrived. How exciting. Everyone is pumped. Love is in the air.

My next question is, what do you guys know about the next generation Palms & Blackberries? Let me know at sidekicker3@gmail.com

Live From New York, It's the Sidekick 3 Launch!

The Madison Avenue crowd is growing and it's still 10 hours away from the official Sidekick 3 pre-release. Security is keeping things orderly and the people keep shuffling in and claiming their spot. Do any of our readers have any pictures from the Sidekick West Coast line that is forming, I hear there are about 10 people waiting so far.

Madison Avenue Party Getting Started

It's getting crazy down on Madison Avenue tonight. The crowd is getting large and it's going to get freaky before the sun comes up tomorrow. Good thing it's in a busy area. Here are some pics of the marketing banner, the display case and a flyer for the Sidekick 3 release. Is everyone getting excited?

Live from the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 Line in New York City

I was in Manhattan today and I popped over to the T-Mobile store in Midtown to see if there was a line of people waiting to buy the Sidekick 3 and you bet there was. They have the area gated off in case things get crazy.

The line was just getting started. A cool guy named Rasheed Grant was the #1 guy. He was rolling with a buddy of his, who is #2 in line and #3 was a guy that looked and acted like Flavor Flav and kept asking about weed. I revealed myself as BSD only as I was walking away.

So if are in New York City tonight, go by and say hi to the guys and bring Rasheed a soda or something because he is a seriously hardcore fan.

Sidekick 3 Growing Global Fanbase

I have been checking the stats of late and I have noticed that in addition to the incredible growth of users on the Sidekick 3 blog [over half a million visitors this month], we have seen an international crowd of users growing during the month of June. From Hawaii to Sweden to South America and Africa and all around Asia, we have been getting hits from all over the globe. To our international friends I say welcome and if you want to drop me a line and tell me where you are visiting from, email me at sidekicker3@gmail.com

Also, if you work for a tech company anywhere in the world, I would love to know who you work for.

The next postings on the blog I think will focus on what stores around the globe are making the Sidekick 3 available first for SALE. If you have any tips or insight, shoot me an email.

BSD

Sidekick 3 Getting A Call Video Made By A GUY WHOSE MOMMA IS SO UGLY, THEY FILMED GORILLAS IN THE MIST IN HER SHOWER

Let Crystal Icing Ice Up Your Sidekick 3

There are a few companies out there beautifying the Sidekick 3, but no one ices it up like Crystal Icing. You can see their amazing designs at their site here.

They charge $325 or 259 Euro to ice up your Sidekick 3 so you can roll in style.

Sarah SIlverman & the Sidekick 3

Sidekick Sample Model for Cingular? Say It Isn't So!

A spy report came in tonight. This spy says the picture to the right is a Sidekick 3 sample model for Cingular. They didn't say whether or not Cingular had made a decision to carry it, only that it was being reviewed for their network. I don't believe it, but I thought I would put it up here in case anyone could prove that it was indeed a Cingular test Sidekick 3 or confirm that the Hiptop platform was never going to stray from T-Mobile.

Sidekick 3 Box & Accessories

Here is a shot of the accessories and manuals that come with the Sidekick 3. It looks like they are giving out the same carrying case available with the Sidekick 2. But what is that metal screen thing on the lower right?

Cool Sidekick 3 Video Based Review

Sidekick 3 Sells on Ebay for $4Gs

Sidekick 3 sells on Ebay for $4050. Is this possible? I would be curious to see if this is a real buyer or a fake buyer. That seems like a crazy premium for maybe a week of market exclusivity. Just the same, have a look at the link below...it at least suggests the Sidekick 3 is going to be hot hot hot.

CLICK ON EBAY AUCTION HERE

More Sidekick 3 Box Art

The packaging on the Sidekick 3 this time around is a bit more grown up if you ask me. I also like the black and orange manual. I think it looks very good. What is most interesting to me this morning though is the number of people who are saying they aren't going to buy a Sidekick 3. Now I know not everyone is clicking on the poll, but the numbers speak for themselves. I have it set up so a user can't vote twice so it's a pretty accurate read on sentiment. Some people say "why come to this blog if you aren't interested in one?" Well I think that one reason why people have been coming is to get details, pics and to help make a decision. Cell phones today affect a person's lifestyle and their appearance is key, clearly some people are voting that an old-looking washed out screen does not reflect their personal style. I think Danger/Sharp ought to do what Nintendo has done, and plan a brighter, high quality screen to come out in 2007. Call it the Sidekick 3goodscreen. The current poll results (below) show that about 60% of readers will NOT get the Sidekick 3 as is, and the rest will upgarde or change from their current cell phone. That doesn't bode well for Danger.

Sidekick 3 Poll

Sidekick 3 Screen Poll Results

Sidekick 3 Blog Exclusive! The Box!

I know I know, it's just a box, but if you are like me, you appreciate packaging. This is the official Sidekick 3 box each of you will get when you order this bad boy. If you have one and have any pics of the inside, send them to sidekicker3@gmail.com

I have noticed recently on more and more blogs that when people get a new device or piece of hardware, they will post pictures of the entire unwrapping experience. This is especially true of Apple users and anyone who has an Ipod and has "experienced" the genius packaging, you know what I mean.

More T-Mobile Party Pics: Eva, Jessica, Paris, Nicole, Mischa...

This collage truly represents some of the finest women in Hollywood. I am still in love with that Brower girl, but I looooves me some Jessica. And I have seen and held and played with the Sidekick 3 a number of times since I wrote that first review in February, but I don't think I would have noticed that thing once with all this talent walking around. If I had gone (and even been let in) I am convinced I would have followed around Jessica until her handlers booted me out.

Speaking of Sidekicks

I dont know if I have ever seen Brittany Brower before, but I like her. She looks smart, funny and intellectual. She may even be a scientist of some sort. All I know is I like her and she makes me want to have a Sidekick.

Sidekick 3 Trackball Light & Music Show

T-Mobile Sidekick 3 Launch Party Invite

Here is the official invite for the Sidekick 3 event tonight, I opted not to go though a friend sent me an invite and said I would have a good shot of getting in, but not a guarantee. If Paris was going to be there, I might have headed up but she rolls a Blackberry these days and so I think she didn't make the list. Check back though, we may have some pics of the party tomorrow.

Sidekick 3 on Attack of the Show: from Sinyakuza!

The Sidekick 3 Help Page and User Manual

A few readers have sent in the link to the Sidekick online owner's manual, this is where you will see Sonicboom (what was on the Sidekick 3 I used) and a few other things that might look familiar. It's a must read for anyone who can't wait for the Sidekick to launch and should also answer all of your questions everyone has been asking in the forums. Click HERE for the link.

Engadget Agrees...Sidekick 3 Screen DISAPPOINTS!

Surprise, surprise...Engadget makes the same comment on the Sidekick 3 that I made several months ago when I first reviewed it, the Sidekick 3 display is weak. Here is what the said..."There haven't been any major changes in the UI (mainly a few tweaks here and there), and you may or may not like the new keyboard (we liked it, but you'll just have to try it yourself and see), but the biggest disappointment is the display, which is still a paltry 240 x 160 pixels and still looks sorta washed out to our eyes." As I said a while back, this is going to be a challenge for many Sidekick 3 users because it makes the Sidekick 3 feel outdated relative to other new handhelds like the Blackberry, the Motorola Q or any of the Windows Mobile or Symbian smartphones. The Sidekick 3 is unfortunately a "catch up" device in many ways, just getting up to speed with the marketplace. We will cut them some slack because they are a small, private company with one product but the ultimate test is whether or not the marketplace feels their latest product is worth having. Now let's wait and see what users say about the battery life and voice quality of the phone.

Order your Sidekick 3 This Month! New Pics Below

Check earlier posts tonight tonight to get official details and to get information on ordering the Sidekick 3, we will also have an order link up here the Sidekick 3 blog soon. I am also putting up a host of new Sidekick 3/Hiptop pics tonight that validate the SonicBoom comment I made a while back and show a high quality version of the recent alternative splash page pic I showed.

These pics are from Danger and have been made available through a special developer online manual.

I'm still hoping to get on the guest list tomorrow night for the L.A. launch party, anyone able to pull any strings? Email me at sidekicker3@gmail.com if you can hook me up.

Special Access for T-Mobile Members

Here are the official details for the Sidekick 3 from T-Mobile:

GET YOUR SIDEKICK 3!!!

Exclusive offer for T-Mobile customers: Get your Sidekick® 3 first starting 6/28! As a valued T-Mobile customer, you get the exclusive opportunity to buy the new Sidekick 3 before it officially hits the streets!
Not yet a T-Mobile customer? Sidekick 3 will be available for sale online and in T-Mobile stores on 7/10.

Sidekick 3 features include EDGE data, Bluetooth, a 1.3 Megapixel camera, music player and Mini SD card slot. The handset will cost $300 with a 2 year contract, $350 with a 1 year contract, and $400 for prepaid subscribers.

There will also be an exclusive ordering link for the Sidekick 3 on http://Sidekick3.blogspot.com coming soon.

SIDEKICK 3 SPLASH PAGE LAUNCHES!!

http://www.sidekick.com/ Have a look everyone, its finally official. July 10th 2006. Stay tuned, we have a few more things coming this week.

More Sidekick 3s are finding their way into the Market

Here is another Sidekick 3 shot from a new user. These things are finding their way into the marketplace in volumes now and I expect that after tomorrow's party in LA, we will see a ton of pics and articles on it too. Stay tuned, we are going to have a cool little feature here on the Sidekick 3 blog soon.

T-Mobile Sidekick 3 LA Party: Can BSD Get In?

The launch party for the new T-Mobile Sidekick is this coming Tuesday the 20th. Can anyone score an invite for BSD? Let me know if you can. Apparently DJ AM mentions the party on his Myspace site.

Here are some details from the invite and here is the list of those celebs who are expected at the party.

Performances by THE FUTUREHEADS and SHE WANTS REVENGE and spinning by DJ AM. Celebrities, VIPs and trendsetters are expected to turn out for a first look at the sleek new Sidekick 3, which has been redesigned and incorporates the latest technology in a slimmer, sexier package.Celebrities and industry VIPs including Amare Stoudemire (NBA PhoenixSuns), Carlos Mencia (The Shield), Chris Kattan (Saturday Night Live),Clementine Ford (House MD), Corey Maggette (NBA Los Angeles Clippers),Daisy Fuentes, Dane Cook (Employee of the Month), George Stults (7thHeaven), Haylie Duff (Material Girls), Ivana Bozilovic (WeddingCrashers), JC Chasez (N’Sync), Jennifer Freeman (The O.C.), JenniferLove Hewitt (Horse Whisper), Kaley Cuoco (8 Simple Rules), KORN (Band),Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars), Kristen Cavallari (Laguna Beach), LauraPrepon (That 70’s Show), Mark Hoppus (Blink 182), Maroon 5 (Band),Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville), Michelle Trachtenberg (Ice Princess),Nick Cannon (Wild ‘N’ Out: The Nick Cannon Show), Travis Barker....

Sidekick II Details

Added Features: #
A removable battery #
Additional storage via a miniSD card slot. A card will be included with the product. # USB Cable and syncing #
A hands free stereo headset # A better designed carrying case #
Improved 1.3 megapixel camera #
Bluetooth 1.2 #
An improved display (65k color SXVGA)A miniSD card will be an awesome additional that could make it a traveling mp3 player.

Blazing a Sidekick 3

Looks like the Sidekick 3 is finding it's way into the Hip Hop crowd now. "Blaze" is the latest dude on the street pimping a Sidekick 3 and he is showing it off through his Myspace profile. Thanks to Amelius for the heads up. www.myspace.com/ameilius

Juicy Couture Sidekick 3 Advertisement?

Could this be a marketing piece screenshot for a Juicy Couture version of the Sidekick 3? I am a little skeptical about it's authenticity, but I thought it was cool enough to share anyway. What do you think. real or fake?

New Sidekick 3 Interface Shot

This was sent in by a couple of readers, it's straight screen shot with a clearly visible "flying Sidekick" in the background. It looks like it has a crown or something doesn't it?

Some T-Mobile Resellers Taking Sidekick 3 Pre-Orders

A reader has alerted us to an Arizona T-Mobile reseller who is advertising the imminent release of the Sidekick 3 by taking pre-orders for the device. No harm here, Video Game stores do this all the time, it's easy for them to hold $25 of yours and then order one for you when it comes out. You are guaranteed to get one, but not necessarily any sooner than if you went to a real T-Mobile store.

T-Mobile Launches Troubleshooting, Call Center Gets Sidekick 3 Manual

Got a few emails from readers telling me about a new T-Moble troubleshooting feature (pics above) and also about how a call center in Texas that handles T-Mobile customer calls just received copies of a troubleshooting book for the Sidekick 3. Getting the customer service reps ready to field calls means the new Sidekick launch is imminent. Here is a piece of the email "hey, we got a troubleshooting book this week for the Sidekick 3 at T-Mobile call center here in Texas... we are doing alot of ddc stuff... they have moved like 75% from regular customer service to the ddc which is the sidekick dept."

Special Function Icon?

Look at the Men's Health Post below with the picture of the Sidekick 3. Click on the picture to open up the superlarge image and look at the icons. Some of them resemble current features on the Sidekick 2, but what is that extra icon for? Remember, if you have some pics to share, send them to sidekicker3@gmail.com

Sidekick 3 Arrives Early for Dallas Billionaire

When the B-Ball Finals started, I mentioned they were going to sponsored by T-Mobile and made a comment that maybe everyone will get a Sidekick 3 because someone heard a certain team owner on the radio say he was waiting for his. Well, not only is it true, but that same crazy owner brought his new Sidekick 3 to the game tonight and someone took a shot of him holding it. Have a look! Yes, that is Mark's hand grasping our little friend.

More Sidekick 3 Pics, Launch Date Around the Corner

As more and more pictures of the Sidekick 3 pop up in blogs and in magazine and all over the Internet, I think it's safe to say the Sidekick 3 is about to launch. I understand they are still working out a few kinks still but I still believe July is right month. These things can change though, so stay tuned.

Sidekick is $350 According to Men's Health Magazine

A reader sent in this clip from an upcoming issue of Men’s Health (the July/August 2006 issue). According to the magazine, the Sidekick 3 is going to be $350.

The text in the magazine reads:
MOST TEXT APPEAL: T-Mobile Sidekick 3
We’ve been unabashed advocates of the Sidekick since it surfaced 3 years ago, thanks to its second-to-none keyboard and Web browser. The e-mail is still anything but corporate-friendly on this version, but it pushes past its ancestors by packing in Bluetooth (for wireless headsets); a miniSD memory-card slot (for storing MP3s or photos taken with the 1.3-megapixel camera); and high-speed EDGE access for faster Web browsing. $350.

The Sidekick 3 for our Northern Friends: The Hiptop 3v?

This in from a source:

"I work for Microcell Fido. Word around our office in Canada right now is that some of the execs have been receiving memos and faxes that were first sent to some of our secretaries regarding the Hiptop 3 coming to Fido. What we've been hearing is that Fido will begin making changes to the company's EDGE capabilities as well as the H/MEM and servers to accommodate the Hiptop 3. It sounds like it will be released in Canada on Fido in January 2007 marketed as the Fido Hiptop 3v."

Exclusive Sidekick Pic with Alternate Graphic

At first glance, you say big deal, another pic of the Sidekick 3...but look again. What is up with that image? What is that girl wearing, a track suit? Who is that dude in the Orange shirt? It looks and smells like a T-Mobile Sidekick 3, but why is the image different? This pic comes from someone who is a "cell phone valet" in the Bay Area and always sees the latest phones coming out because she gets to "confiscate" them for a short period. She wouldn't tell me where she worked, only that really likes the new Nokia E61. Could it be this is a special T-Mobile Sidekick 3 meant to be sampled for another carrier other than T-Mobile? We have heard rumors of other carriers looking to pick up the Sidekick 3...what do you think?

Remember as always, if you have Sidekick 3 pics to share, send them to sidekicker3@gmail.com

Sidekick 3 Bomb #2: No Video At Launch, But it's Coming

The second bomb is that the Sidekick 3 has no video, but it is coming. Here's the deal as I understand it, video playback is not built into the Sidekick 3 at launch, but I am told a video player will be available by year end in the Sidekick after an OS upgrade and an over the air application download for the player. The question is, will this hurt sales in the short term? Does anyone expect the Sidekick 3 to play video? It seems with a Mini SD card and the ability to store all kinds of short films, home videos, etc people will want video playback but the question is will the hope of video later in the year be enough?

T-Mobile Sidekick 3 BOMB #1: RESOLUTION

The first bomb I am dropping is one I was wrong about when I posted the initial review of the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 several months ago. I had said the screen resolution for the Sidekick 3 was the same as the original Sidekick and the Sidekick II. Well that was incorrect, the screen resolution and overall quality is actually better. If I had to gauge the improvement, I would say it is 20% better, or that it has 20% more pixels and clarity than before but it's not immediately obvious which is why I was wrong in my first post. It is also still a far cry in overall quality from other new smartphone screens like the Motorola Q, Blackberry 8700 or the Palm Treo. I understand this isn't because of Danger though, I am told Sharp makes the decision on the screen quality.

Sidekick Stolen, Global Shaming Campaign Commences

Sidekick Thief
I wasn't going to link to this, but it has truly become one of the biggest sensations on the Internet in the last 48 hours. A girl had her Sidekick stolen by some lovely New Yorkers and when she got a new SIM and had her account transferred she got all the pictures that the thieves had taken of themselves and she began posting. The pic on the left is a shot the thief took of herself. It's a great read as this girl has lead a successful global campaign to shame them and thanks to Digg.com and other sites, it looks like she has had over a million hits on her site. Have a look, read her story.

http://www.evanwashere.com/StolenSidekick/

More tidbits on the Sidekick 3

Forget what the FCC manual says, the music player on the version of the Sidekick 3 I saw is called SonicBoom. Also, the trackball is great when you are accessing a web page because you can use it to scroll easily left or right when you are going through a page with a detailed menu (think Craigslist). It's easy to see why someone wouldn't call it a trackball though, you can't really tell that the ball is moving. Also, the icon for the web access on the one I saw is a huge full color picture of the earth.

Stay tuned, there are a couple of bombs about to drop on the Sidekick 3 blog...

Details from a Sidekick 3 Preview

Here are a few tidbits, but stay tuned, there is more to come:

There are 4 choices for Sidekick 3 wallpaper. The names of the wallpaper are as follows:
1) la femme - a pinkish background with swirls
2) water - the blue background shown in my earlier Sidekick 3 interface pics
3) Wall - a grey graffiti type background
4) Growing Wild - background slightly resembles plants and a jungle

The full FCC Sidekick 3 Reveal

The FCC is giving us a treasure trove of Sidekick 3 goodness today. To view the manual on your Sidekick 3, click here.

Click here for the master list of FCC goodies.

And here are some of the best links of what they offer:
Pics of the Outside
Pics of Guts
The Test Setup
Reference Guide
T-Mobile Sidekick 3 Start Guide
Sidekick 3 Reference Guide A
Sidekick 3 Reference Guide B

More Pictures of the Sidekick 3 Surface

Some more pics of the Sidekick 3 surfaced today and I don't think the shots really tell us anything new. Sure it's great to get some new angles, see the packaging, an SD card and get a blurry shot of the homepage, but I think we need to get someone to take pics of the news apps.

Are you Upgrading Your Sidekick 3 Even Though The Screen Is Terrible?
	Yes, I want it anyway
	No, I can’t Pay $300 for a 1999 screen

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Sidekick 3: The Official Blog Until The Sidekick 4 Comes Out

Friday, June 30, 2006