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.

Is video on the Sidekick finally coming?! A recent surf of Danger’s job page has given us an insight as to what the next generation Sidekick might have instore. With the combination of TMo’s EDGE and the eventual roll out of UTMS, it seems that broadband video could become a reality on everyone’s favorite device! As always, this is just speculation at this point, but it sounds like the Sidekick 3/4 might handle MPEG-4, H.263, H.264/AVC, WMV 7/8, VC-1/WMV9 codecs.

For those interested (and hopefully someone qualified) here is the job description:

Senior Video Software Engineer
Department: Library
Location: Palo Alto, California

As a Senior Video Software Engineer, you will be responsible for moving Danger’s hiptop platform into the video age. We already have the best audio system in the mobile industry; now leverage your deep knowledge of video to take our multimedia architecture to the next level.

Responsibilities

* Help craft the video strategy for Danger’s hiptop platform, including evaluating various 3rd-party video solutions, and recommending hardware changes for future devices.
* Integrate 3rd-party video software into the existing platform and audio engine. Optimize, debug, and maintain this code. Most of this work will be done in straight C, but some inline ARM assembly and DSP coding will be required.
* Expose video features through an extensible and customizable Java library API. Tutor application-level Java engineers, both internal and external, on this API, and help them make best use of it in their code.
* Search for innovative ways to incorporate video into the hiptop experience, including leveraging the unique Danger service architecture.
* Create test suites and work with QA to deliver the highest quality mobile video applications in the industry.

Qualifications
* BSCS/BSCE/BSEE degree and 8 + years continuous experience developing in C/C++, preferably in a technical lead role for some of this time
* 2 years experience developing in Java, preferably with some object-oriented library and API development
* 2 years experience focused on video record and playback, including codec and DSP experience
* Familiarity with popular video codec formats, such as: MPEG-4, H.263, H.264/AVC, WMV 7/8, VC-1/WMV9, etc.
* Familiarity with popular video file formats, such as MP4, AVI, etc.
* Experience integrating and debugging 3rd-party source and object code
* A solid understanding of multithreaded programming concepts
* Experience with ARM9 and ARM11 assembly language programming in an embedded environment, and TI OMAP DSP programming, is highly desirable

October is a great month in the Hiptop / Sidekick community. Watch the video for more info on two of the contests going on this month:

Then follow the links:
HiptopHunt Halloween Hunt!
sk3themes theme contest
Cash and Prizes await the winners!

Now that we’ve all gone out and bought Sidekick 3s, many of us are left wondering what to do with the old Sidekick II. The guys over at Dreamhost decided to have a little fun with a hammer and an old Sidekick II awhile back. (Please don’t try this at home.. or work for that matter).

We borrowed this from Gizmodo:

Maybe it’s just me, but it looks like that was one boring party in NYC.

You guys asked, and appletech was kind enough to answer. Here are some of the most common and most interesting questions we received (cleaned up and combined as necessary):

1. What features does the Sidekick 3 support that TMobile has chosen to leave out? MMS? Save as Ringtone in email? Etc.

The “Save as Ringtone” email feature and MMS application are not present as before. The new “Record a Ringtone” feature has also been removed.

2. Can MP3s be used as ringtones?

No. All ringtones will come from the catalog

3. Can the Sidekick 3 be used as a modem for a laptop?

No.

4. There is no support for video capture/playback/streaming videos/etc, but are there any plans to implement this in a future
OTAu (Over-The-Air Update)?

If there are any, I’m not at liberty to share that information. Keep in mind, any future features would be up to your carrier.

5. Can MP3s downloaded from iTunes be used on the Sidekick 3?

No. Any MP3s bought online that have DRM Encryption will *not* play on the Sidekick 3.

6. Can you listen to MP3s over a Bluetooth headset?

No. MP3s will play only over the device speaker or through a wired stereo headset (included I believe)

7. What are the plans for release in other markets? Suncom? UK? Would a Sidekick 3 purchased from the US work in these markets?

I’m not allowed to discuss plans for future carriers. A Sidekick 3 bought from TMobile USA would need to be unlocked for use on another carrier, but as before you would get only Phone/SMS service. Data is tied to the original carrier.

8. How much faster is the web browser compared to the Sidekick 2?

It’s definently faster. Depending on your EDGE coverage and network traffic in your area, browsing I found at times to be at least 50% faster than the SK2.

9. What downloadable apps will be available at launch time?

Don’t know.

10. What was motivation in the switch to a different kind of keyboard?

I probably guess to avoid all the problems the SK2 had with keyboards peeling, keys breaking, letters rubbing off etc… The new keyboard virtually eliminates all those problems with a more solid piece of hardware.

11. Are Danger’s servers prepared for the large increase in usage?

Yup. I don’t see any problems coming up with the introduction of EDGE for browsing. There’s plenty server power there already for the job and more.

12. What will happen with regard to Mac syncing? Will the current Missing Sync still work? Will it still be necessary?

Syncing will happen just as before. The Sync apps themselves (PC & Mac) are what determines what data is synced from your computer. They will continue to sync to the DI via the internet.

13. Does the Bluetooth support for the Sidekick 3 include being able to sync data (contacts, calendar, mail, mp3’s) with a Bluetooth-enabled computer (PC and/or Mac)? Or is it strictly limited to support for Bluetooth headset devices?

Bluetooth is limited to the usage of a Bluetooth headset and the sharing of Vcards only.

14. What is the story with the screen? Is it the same screen as the Sidekick 2? Has the resolution/color depth changed at all?

The sk3 screen is the exact same screen as the sk2.

15. Is the audio port a shared mp3/stereo and headset port? Can I use regular headphones with it? Does it require a dongle? If I’m using regular headphones, does the phone think there’s a headset plugged in and mess up routing the audio?

The headset/headphone jack is 2.5mm headset jack. Your device will come with a stereo headset for phone use and for listening to mp3s. They don’t sound all that bad either. Give them a shot before running out a buying something else. If you wanna use standard headphone, you’ll need a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adaptor.

16. Will it be possible to create custom wallpapers, ringtones, etc?

Doesn’t appear to be. All content looks be to catalog purchases only.

17. What is the limit of the size of the miniSD card?

At this time, we say 2GB because that is the current largest MiniSD available. There’s nothing on the device imposing a limit, so larger cards should work. However, until one exists that can be physically tested there is no 100% guarantee. I’d say 95% the only limit the available sizes.

18. Is there going to be a trade-in program like the Sidekick 2 had?

Doesn’t look like it. Current info shows it’s just gonna be a straight upgrade.

19. Have there been any improvements to the browser itself?

Other than the EDGE browsing speeds, the browser is roughly the same.

20. Will the applications, games, ringtones, etc. purchased on the Sidekick 2 get moved over to the Sidekick 3?

All games and applications will need to be repurchased for the SK3. Ringtones I think will transfer over as those are not device/OS specific like the apps.

21. What color is the backlight on the keyboard?

It’s an orange color. Here are some pictures of it:

22. Can the chargers from the Sidekick 2 be used with the Sidekick 3?

Yes. The charges are interchangeable between the two.

23. What can be done with the USB port?

The USB will allow you to mount the SK3 on your computer to transfer MP3s the MiniSD card. You can also transfer pics you took and saved to the card to your PC. The SD card mounts as a standard external drive (like a USB Thumbdrive, or an iPod), so you can really store anything you can think of on the card for whatever reason. Of course, they won’t be able to be read by the SK3, only stored.

24. Will you be able to view buddy info in AIM? Can you change the “via hiptop” info?

No and No still.

25. Will there be limited edition Sidekicks, like the Mr Cartoon orJuicy SK2s? Different color Sidekicks?

Unknown. If there are, Danger/Tmobile does not pre-announce launch dates or share details about upcoming products

26. Does playing MP3s have an effect on the speed of other applications?

Nope. You can multi-task as usual. I have notice any kind of lag due to playing MP3s in the background.

27. How long is the battery life on average?

It all depends on your usage of course, but I’m averaging about 1 1/2 days on a charge with constant IM/YIM/MSN and Terminal sessions running. I usually charge nightly anyway.

28. Does the Sidekick 3 have full IMAP support, including folders?

It appears that IMAP support is still limited as before. This is more of a server side issue than device, as the server is the one interacting with the mail account and just pushing data to your device.

29. Do you like your job?

Of course!

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A HUGE thanks to appletech for taking the time out of doing battle with the overwhelmed hiptop.com forums to answer these questions for us. You rock!

Discuss This Story Here

So, what happens when you get a phone call while you’re listening to mp3s on your Sidekick 3? Thanks to nolatron we’ve got an exclusive video of exactly what happens! Notice the slick fade back in after the call is ended.

This video kicks ass. I’d love to see TMobile have the guts to air it as a real ad.