Laptopmag.com (not sure why a laptop mag is reviewing phones *shrug*) has apparently given the thumbs down to the Sidekick iD in their latest feature, Best & Worst: First Half of 2007. They cite the lack of features as the main reason, with the pain in the neck of replacing bumpers and lack of EDGE as additional downsides. While the Sidekick iD does have less features than the Sidekick 3, you’ll find quite a bit of argument on the hiptop.com forums over whether or not this is truly a downgrade. Needless to say, the Sidekick iD definitely hits a niche in the market and has been doing well, regardless of what the laptop dorks say. What do you guys think? Is the Sidekick iD really the “worst tech” of the first half of 2007?

Unfortunately we don’t speak Japanese, but Tech-On has posted an article about the Sidekick iD, including a video of them breaking it down. We’re not entirely sure why they’re doing a review of a US phone that can’t even be used in Japan, but perhaps it’s the same reason gadget sites here in the states post about fancy shmancy phones that are only available over there. It also looks like they may have taken it apart to peek at the guts based on this page. And it’s not the only device they’ve ripped apart as there are Apple TVs, Wiis, PS3s, and more on that page. But unfortunately we don’t read Japanese any better than we speak it. Regardless, it looks like the Sidekick iD has sparkd the interest of some Japanese gadget heads.

The Sidekick iD is now available in T-Mobile stores and online at T-Mobile.com. Looks like the retail price on it is $299! Ouch! But if you’re willing to sign up for a two year contract, you’ll get it for $99. One of the big selling points of the T-Mobile Sidekick iD is the fact that it’s customizable. Here’s what they say:

Offered with a number of colorful accessories, the T-Mobile Sidekick iD will be the most personalized T-Mobile Sidekick to date. The customizable exterior provides quick modification so users can mix and match based on mood, personal style, or that evening’s outfit. Along with additional options for ‘blinging’ devices or wrapping them with unique graphic designs, T-Mobile Sidekick iD users will take the look and feel of their devices in all new directions.

All of these new options are in addition to the standard customization choices that already exist on the T-Mobile Sidekick 3. This includes support for one-click downloads from Danger’s on-device premium services catalog to add ringtones, games and even productivity applications1. Users can also create custom audio and visual alerts, and use photos from the photo album as the default key guard screen.

Also of note is this is the first time that Danger has had multiple devices released and supported at the same time. In the past it was one device at a time and you really had only one device to choose from when it came time to buy. Does this mean we’ll see a wider array of different devices from Danger in the future, giving us more choice? We hope so.

Geeksugar has some pictures up from the red carpet at the Sidekick iD launch party. Looks like the ladies like the SKiD. Jenna Jameson, Kelly Monaco, AJ Michalka and Aly Michalka, Michelle Rodriguez and Taryn Manning. Does anyone know who these people are? (Well besides Jenna of course)

Photos from Geeksugar:

UPDATE: Confirmed by John B, it does have a USB port and it’s covered up with a little bit of plastic that is easy to lose. Thanks John!

Sounds like some lines got crossed somewhere. Whether or not the Sidekick iD has a USB port is in debate. Check out the image from www.sidekick.com:

and then check out the video from Crunchgear’s John Biggs:

Hmmmmmm….. maybe there are SKiD flaps?

Thanks to exiva at HiptopHunt for pointing this out

Greg Andrews, the director of marketing at T-Mobile has a few press blurbs via video snippets on why the Sidekick iD is going to be a great device. Apparently it’s all about individuality and customization. Personally, we’re still curious to see if there will be any way to load themes without an SD card or if you’ll be limited to the catalog.

Videos:
The iD stands for individuality:
The Youth Market:
Sidekick iD Customization:
Sidekick iD Release Date:

Our favorite so far is this press release video that was released today. It’s intent is to show people using their Sidekick iDs in everyday life. One problem… the woman in the video is talking into the wrong end.

John Biggs over at CrunchGear has a video showing off the swappable bumper covers on the new Sidekick iD.

T-Mobile went ahead and announced the Sidekick iD officially and the embargo has been lifted on the device. The Sidekick iD reviews are already starting to hit the web, with a flurry of photos as well. T-Mobile posted a press release on their wiki and Crunchgear has the first full review. Their review can basically be summed up with the following paragraph:

If you have an SK3, you won’t want the SK ID. It’s not for you. At $99, this phone is priced for the same folks who might get a RAZR, but instead pick up a hot little messaging phone. The UI is exactly the same as the SK3’s. The only real difference is there is no camera or MP3 playback options. Instead, Danger has added a photo album feature that lets you move emailed photos to your album. It is also MyFaves compatible. There is also no memory-card slot nor is there a USB port.

Pics from Gizmodo:
   

Pics from Crunchgear:
      

T-Mobile’s news release below:

T-Mobile Sidekick iD Makes A Statement
Personalization and Affordable Style Drive T-Mobile Sidekick iD

BELLEVUE, Wash. – April 13, 2007 – T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announces the new T-Mobile® Sidekick® iD, offering the latest in personalization on a communication device at an accessible price of $99.1 Designed to include the spontaneous communication features synonymous with the iconic brand, the T-Mobile Sidekick iD also offers spur-of-the-moment personalization with easily removable and replaceable exterior panels.

The customizable exterior of the T-Mobile Sidekick iD provides quick modification of the outside of the device with fashionable colors to match anyone’s style, mood or that evening’s outfit. Inside the device, customers will feast on the famous buffet of communications capabilities that make it simple to stay directly connected with family and friends, or stay on top of their favorite social networks and other Web sites.2

The T-Mobile Sidekick iD is designed for virtually anytime, anywhere communication through voice calling and a robust variety of options for messaging-based communication. The signature swivel screen is designed to be a large, color window into one’s own personal life. The screen moves to reveal the full QWERTY keyboard providing the luxury of staying connected through the always-on access to e-mail, instant messaging (AIM®, Yahoo!® and Windows Live Messenger), and text messaging.

“The T-Mobile Sidekick has always been about freedom of expression and communicating with style,” said Greg Andrews, director, marketing, T-Mobile USA. “With the T-Mobile Sidekick iD, we’re expanding on the theme of individuality by increasing the personalization aspect and providing pricing that is accessible to a wide range of consumers.”

The T-Mobile Sidekick iD will have T-Mobile’s myFavesSM available out of the box. The unique myFaves experience provides additional customization as the home screen contains images of the five people that matter most or are called the most often. The myFaves interface also enables access to a straightforward communications menu for effortless calling, texting, multimedia messaging and e-mail. Customers can choose from a range of myFaves plans to get unlimited calling to those five designated people — to any number in the U.S., even land lines (excluding toll-free and 900 numbers) — that make up their personal network.3

Key features of T-Mobile Sidekick iD include the easily personalized hardware to express individuality and style as well as the following:

* T-Mobile Sidekick’s signature swivel screen with a large landscape color display (2.4-inch screen with 65K colors and 240X160 pixels) for improved viewing of Web pages and contacts
* A full HMTL Web browser with enhancements for faster downloading and optimized viewing2
* Beneath the screen, a full QWERTY keyboard ideal for speedy instant messaging and other text-based communication
* Dedicated support for three major instant messaging clients (AIM, Yahoo! and Windows Live Messenger) with the ability to hold up to 10 IM conversations at one time to stay constantly connected to a social circle
* Support for personal e-mail with a dedicated “t-mail” account or use of an already existing personal e-mail account
* Inclusion of myFaves for additional personalization and the benefit of unlimited calling to any number on any network, including landlines, to stay connected to the five people who matter most
* A convenient trackball for one-handed navigation and an improved gaming experience
* A speedy ARM9 processor to handle the massively multitasking communicators
* Replaceable battery with up to 5.3 hours of talk time and 6 days of standby
* Dimensions: 5.12 x 2.48 x 0.87 inches; 6.2 ounces with standard battery
* Accessories available in black, yellow, blue, white, purple and glow-in-the-dark

The T-Mobile Sidekick iD will be available for $99.99 (with a qualifying two-year contract and mail-in rebate) at T-Mobile retail locations and online at www.t-mobile.com beginning April 25. For more information on T-Mobile Sidekick, please visit www.sidekick.com.

[1] Taxes additional; requires activation of a qualifying two-year service plan and Sidekick data plan. 2 Separate charges may apply to some features. Not all Web sites optimized for mobile browsers. 3 Nationwide plan; myFaves contacts limited to total of five U.S. phone numbers (certain exceptions apply); minimum one-year service agreement required.

Gizmodo has a teaser up about a review of the Sidekick iD coming this evening at midnight. They managed to get ahold of one before the public launch and did a review of it. They also mention “we’ll dissect it and let you folks know” which makes us wonder if they truly are going to take apart the device. We just want to know where our Danger Zante is for review.

via Gizmodo