![]() ![]() You can get to this information from any computer, and make edits or changes, which are themselves transferred back down to your Slide. In both software and hardware terms the Sidekick Slide is similar to its predecessors, A key selling point of the Sidekick Slide is the ‘Web portal’.īasically everything you store on the Slide is automatically backed up to a password protected Web site. But T-Mobile clearly is smitten, and now brings the latest version, renamed the Sidekick Slide, over from the US. Too big, too clunky, too mid-range in specs, I always thought.Įarly in 2007 the Sidekick 3 didn’t bowl me over, but then I hadn’t been very impressed by earlier versions of the device, either. Voice calls quality is generally good, and while the Sidekick might not be so tenacious with a signal as the iPAQ 910 we tested recently it still does a reasonable job.I’ve never been convinced by the ‘yoofy’ IM-generation oriented Sidekick. Yes, EDGE is pretty reliable, but given even low-end rivals are including 3G now it would be nice to have the option here. Considering this is the Sidekick 2008, it's still sporting a radio from years back: quadband 850/900/1800/1900MHz with data speeds topping out at EDGE. Downloads now install with no need to restart the device, and themes can be set as default instantly.Ĭonsidering all those improvements it's then triply frustrating that the Sidekick's connection just can't keep up with the competition. ![]() Given all the attention paid to the iPhone 3G's new on-device AppStore, the Sidekick team could be rightly smug that their handsets have had such functionality for years now. Images from websites can be saved to the microSD card and then emailed or sent by MMS. The pop-up page overview concept has been borrowed from Nokia's S60 browser, too here called Mini Page, it gives you an idea of what's on the page. Internet browsing is similarly boosted, with a choice of PC-like, full-size or reformated to Sidekick screen-size browsing. Over and above the standard chat functionality, you're able to 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. Messaging is the Sidekick 2008's strong feature, though, and the company has taken the opportunity to further tweak the IM experience. However there's not much flexibility in the settings, and we particularly missed white balance options considering there's no built-in flash. Thanks to the horizontal orientation, taking pictures is pretty much similar to holding a conventional digital camera. Round the back, the 2008 sports a two-megapixel camera for photos or video. Speed is fair, though it can lag if you have a particularly well-packed contacts list and lots of media. New to the OS is Quick Find, which is a cross-app search tool replacing all the individual search functions. Sometimes we would over-roll and skip over the menu selection we were aiming for it felt more accurate, if slower, using the D-pad. The trackball navigation is not so successful, however, and feels a little imprecise. A combination of great texturing and just the right amount of spacing adds up to very comfortable texting. The QWERTY keyboard has always been the Sidekick's not-so-secret weapon, and the 2008 is no different. Even with the pop-off casings, though, we didn't experience creaks or undue flexing, leaving us confident about the 2008's build quality. Submit a photo or other image at pay $14.99 (or $9.99 each if you order two) and you'll never confuse your Sidekick for anybody else's. T-Mobile went a little bit further this time by allowing users to customize their own shell design online. Many Sidekick users will be happy to find that the Sidekick 2008's shell is swappable like the early Sidekick iD. Manufactured by Sharp, the LCD backlight is strong and surprisingly resistant to sun glare. We found it a lot easier to nudge the screen up compared to the Sidekick LX, and seasoned users will have no problem popping it out using just one hand. The Sidekick 2008 has the traditional screen hinge too a little nudge to the corner of the screen pushes the display panel up and around to sit above the QWERTY keyboard. It's now just 2.6-inches, but it keeps the same WQVGA 400 x 240 resolutions as the Sidekick LX. Smaller than earlier models, measuring 4.7 x 2.3 x 0.7-inches and weighing 5.3oz, which means the display has had to shrink too. ![]()
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