Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/04/26/tmobile_unveils_sidekick_id/
T-Mobile has started selling a cut-down version of its Sidekick 3 consumer-friendly email phone that strips outs the camera, Bluetooth and a GSM frequency to knock a hundred bucks off the price.
Dubbed the Sidekick iD, the pitch is that this is not only the cheapest Sidekick yet but the most customisable: the coloured corner, back and screen-frame panels can be replaced. Cool for the kids, huh?
The iD is slightly smaller than the 3 and weighs a little less too, but there's no digicam or Bluetooth connectivity on board, and it's dual-band (850/1900MHz) phone, whereas the 3 is a more worldwide roaming-friendly tri-band device.
One other benefit: the iD has double the 3's stand-by battery lift, six hours to the old model's three. At five hours, the iD's talk time is slightly higher than the 3's four-and-a-half. But there's no memory card in the box.
Only available in the US, the T-Mobile is charging $300 for the iD, though with instant online discounts and mail-in rebate coupons, the phone can be had for $100. With similar deals, the 3 costs $200.
The Sidekick family is T-Mobile's name for Danger's Hiptop range. Danger also said that Australians, who have been languishing in the Hiptop 2 era for some time will now get to upgrade to the Hiptop 3, thanks to indigenous telco Telstra.
T-Mobile UK slides out latest Sidekick (25 October 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/25/tmobile_sidekick_slide/
EU says roaming case is soooo last month (19 July 2007)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/07/19/vodafone_o2_tmobile_roaming_antitrust/
Sidekick-style Motorola handset spied on web? (5 July 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07/05/motorolola_zante_leaked/
T-Mobile UK to ship Sidekick 3 in December (21 November 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/11/21/t-mobile_uk_readies_sidekick_3_launch/
T-Mobile hacker escapes imprisonment (31 August 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08/31/t-mobile_hack_sentencing/