So everyone has seen the video recording capabilities of the Sidekick LX, but what about video playback? We converted a video into .3gp and tossed it on the Sidekick to see how it looked. Surprisingly it turned out pretty good! It’s not unreasonable to think that people could be watching TV shows and music videos on their Sidekick. We won’t say movies are a possibility because we haven’t done any testing to see just how much of an impact this has on battery life. Anyways, enough talk, here’s the video:

Sidekick LX Video Playback from HiptopVideos on Vimeo.

Sidekick LX New Browser Features

I’m sure everyone is clamoring to see more samples of what video from the Sidekick LX looks like. We’ve got another for you. This is what it looks like when uploaded to YouTube and re-encoded:

Here’s the original video that will play if you have Quicktime installed:

If you want to see the original .3gp file that was recorded, click here to download.

It looks like the long awaited Sidekick LX OTA that enables video recording and playback is starting to roll-out to a few select users. These lucky few are commonly called the “pioneers” and are basically one last testing step before the update gets rolled out to everyone over a couple of weeks. Unfortunately there’s no way to make your Sidekick download the update before everyone. It’s all controlled server side and rolls out to chunks of people at a time in a seemingly random manner. It’s just the luck of the draw. I’m sure everyone will ignore what I just said and still ask how to get the OTA anyways.

We’ve been saying it for months and months, but T-Mobile has finally put out the official confirmation in their press release yesterday. The Sidekick LX is getting a video OTA. In case you missed it in the press release about the Tony Hawk Limited Edition Sidekick LX, here’s the snippet:

This summer, all Sidekick LX customers will receive an over-the-air update that includes the new functionality that is integrated in the T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition, such as video recording and playback ability, an alarm clock, stereo Bluetooth support, and Bluetooth file transfer support.

Rumors flying around are that it’s going to drop on July 15th, which makes sense.

The Tony Hawk Sidekick LX is official.
T-MOBILE USA ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH WORLD-RENOWNED PROFESSIONAL SKATEBOARDER TONY HAWK

Collaboration Includes the New T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition

BELLEVUE, Wash. – June 5, 2008 – T-Mobile USA, Inc., has aligned with one of the world’s greatest action sports stars, Tony Hawk, for a multiplatform partnership that includes the creation of a limited edition T-Mobile® Sidekick LX™ device, presenting sponsorship support and programming for Tony Hawk’s Boom Boom HuckJam 2008 North American Tour, and events benefiting the Tony Hawk Foundation.

As one of the most renowned professional skateboarders in the world, and a respected ambassador of the ever-popular action-sports world, Tony Hawk has brought attention to the sport of skateboarding on a mass level, becoming a household name and role model for his fans, while maintaining an authentic edge among his core peers. Through close collaboration with Tony Hawk, T-Mobile is providing Sidekick enthusiasts with a limited-edition version of the popular T-Mobile Sidekick LX this summer.

Tony puts his personal design on the iconic device by giving it a true skateboard look. The bottom cover of the device is outfitted to resemble and feel just like the top of a skateboard, including a texture like grip-tape and eight simulated screws. The limited-edition Sidekick also features a slate-grey shell, accented with blue and white designs, and Tony’s well-known hawk graphic. A customized Tony Hawk theme will be included on the device featuring an exclusive video of Tony performing tricks, a Tony-inspired background, and skate-themed swivel screen open and close sounds.

In addition, the T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition will be the first Sidekick to ship with video record, play and share. It also includes other enhancements such as a more personalized Web browsing experience, stereo Bluetooth support, easier downloads and more options for theme and background personalization.

“I’ve been a loyal Sidekick user since the first model that launched back in 2002; I use my Sidekick for everything from staying connected to friends to keeping my hectic schedule on track,” said Tony Hawk. “I’m excited to be collaborating with T-Mobile to create a brand new, custom Sidekick LX that will represent action sports, as well as my own style.”

“Tony Hawk is a global sports icon revered and respected by people of all ages,” said Mike Belcher, Director of Integrated Marketing for T-Mobile USA. “His ability to keep connected to his friends, family and others while maintaining a busy, fast-paced lifestyle is what the Sidekick brand is all about.”

To support the availability of the T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition, T-Mobile will launch a national consumer promotion and also implement programming for the Tony Hawk Foundation and the annual Tony Hawk’s Boom Boom HuckJam action-sports tour. For the national promotion, beginning this summer, T-Mobile Sidekick will offer consumers and Sidekick fans alike a chance to win the ultimate prize package that will include a trip to Los Angeles and an opportunity to meet Tony in person, including a VIP pass to attend his annual charity event, Stand Up For Skateparks, in Beverly Hills, Calif., benefiting the Tony Hawk Foundation. More information on the promotion, including full contest entry rules and restrictions, can be found at www.sidekick.com later this summer.

Tony Hawk created the Tony Hawk Foundation in 2002 to help promote and finance public skateparks in low-income areas. The Foundation will launch its signature Stand Up for Skateparks benefit in East Hampton, N.Y., later this year to benefit the cause, raise funds for the development of future skateparks, as well as to launch the new T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition. T-Mobile will also be a Premier sponsor of the Foundation’s Stand Up For Skateparks annual benefit in Beverly Hills, Calif. In addition, T-Mobile Sidekick is the presenting sponsor for Tony Hawk’s Boom Boom HuckJam 2008 North American Tour, a multicity tour beginning this summer featuring the world’s best skateboarders, BMX bikers and freestyle motocross riders performing exciting routines on a million-dollar ramp system over live music. Since its inception in 2003, the hugely successful HuckJam tour has sold out venues across the country every year. In select markets of the Boom Boom HuckJam Tour, T-Mobile Sidekick will work with local radio stations for additional ticket giveaways and provide another opportunity for Tony Hawk fans to meet their icon.

This summer, all Sidekick LX customers will receive an over-the-air update that includes the new functionality that is integrated in the T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition, such as video recording and playback ability, an alarm clock, stereo Bluetooth support, and Bluetooth file transfer support. The limited-edition Sidekick also features all of the great functionality that Sidekick LX customers have grown accustomed to, such as seamless Web browsing; a dynamic MySpace experience, available for download; instant messaging; e-mail; and a best-in-class keyboard.

Key features of the T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition include:

* Iconic swivel screen and full-QWERTY keyboard (manufactured by Sharp)
* WQVGA screen with high-definition LCD technology
* Stereo Bluetooth support
* Web browser and JavaScript support
* Personalized Web surfing: full-page layout similar to a PC or standard Sidekick screen-size layout to scroll and read a page; use Mini Page to zoom out on an overview of an entire Web page; save images from Web pages to the microSD card
* Record, play and share videos: record videos using the camera; receive video attachments from e-mail, picture messaging, or sideload videos to the microSD card; play video using the built-in media player; share videos via e-mail, Bluetooth support or picture messaging
* Easy downloads: install and use downloads without the need to restart the device; set a theme as the device’s default instantly
* Built-in music player that supports MP3 and AAC
* Mood lights: customizable light settings for various communication alerts including SMS, MMS, IM, phone, e-mail, Web browsing and organizer reminders
* Customized MySpace Mobile application available for purchase through the Download Catalog

Current Sidekick customers will have a chance to be the first to upgrade to the T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition in July through www.t-mobile.com or by calling 1-800-T-MOBILE. It will be available nationwide soon thereafter at select T-Mobile retail stores and dealers. All customers will be able to pre-register on www.sidekick.com and will receive a notification to alert them when it is available. Please visit www.sidekick.com for T-Mobile Sidekick news and updates.

Looks like press photos of the Tony Hawk Sidekick LX that we’ve been waiting for are out. Rumor from BoyGeniusReport has it that it will have grip tape on the back. And like we’ve been reporting, it’s probably going to have all the features and improvements that are coming with the Sidekick LX OTA. Basically it’ll be running the same version of the operating system as the Sidekick LX after the OTA to come. We haven’t gotten official word from T-Mobile yet, so of course the obligatory “grain of salt” is required, but as soon as we have the official word, you will be the first to know!

We’ll be keeping an eye on eBay to see if a Tony Hawk Sidekick pops up. Any bets on how much they go for?

via BGR

The Sidekick LX OTA is going to open up quite a few new features for Bluetooth on the Sidekick LX. All of these features are of course software based so everything that the LX is getting, the Sidekick Gekko will also have. Here’s a list of the bluetooth features:

* Phone calls – Use either a Bluetooth hands-free headset or car kit. Read more in Bluetooth Hands-Free Headset (Mono/Stereo) or Hands-Free Car Kit.

* vCard exchange – Send your vCard or any of your contacts’ vCards using Bluetooth. Read more in Set and Send My vCard and Send and Receive vCards.

* Listen to music and videos – Listen to your music or videos using a Bluetooth stereo headset or speakers. Read more in Listening Choices.

* File exchange – Exchange photos, music, or videos that you’ve stored on your memory card with other Bluetooth devices. Read more in Send and Receive a File.

* Print – Print a photo on a Bluetooth printer. Read more in Send a Photo to a Printer.

Yes, it says “Print a photo on a Bluetooth printer! Pretty cool if you ask me. I’ll be at the local Best Buy printing off pictures of my cat if you need me.

Wondering what the Sidekick will be able to record and playback as far as video is concerned? We’ll we’ve got the 411 straight from the manual:

Note! The SonicBOOM Media Player will play 3GP and MP4 (simple profile) video files, and MP3, WAV, MIDI, WMA, AAC (MP4), XMF, RMF, AIFC, IMY, AMR music files. It will not play RAM, M4P, FLAC, RA, AVI, or any other file that is not listed above.

Sorry gang, no YouTube support this time around. Maybe when a 3G device comes out in the distant future.

As for the format the Camera will record videos in, it looks like that’s going to be .3gp files using the H.263 video codec. Should be nice and small for sending to your friends.

We found the following images in our mailbox, already watermarked for us. These come straight from the manual for what we’re all assuming will be called the Sidekick Gekko (or Aspen). For your viewing pleasure:

An illustration of the Sidekick Gekko, nothing too surprising.

About the Camera
You can take photos with the device’s 2.0 megapixel camera, then save them in .JPG format to two locations:
– your device’s built-in memory (called Device Albume on the screen), or
– the microSD memory card you’ve inserted into your device (called Memory Card Album on the screen)

You can take videos (.3GP format) and store them on the microSD memory card. Note: Videos cannot be saved to the Device Album.

You can store up to 1.75M of photos on your device, and store videos and more photos on your microSD card. The number of photos you can store will depend on the capacity of the card and the size of the photos: 1600×1200 (largest), 1280×1024, 640×480, or 320×240 (smallest).

You can aso save one or more photo or video email attachments to an album. Read more in Saving Photo Attachments to a Photo Album.

Replaceable Shells
You can customize your device with replaceable shells!

Capture a Video!

All in all no huge suprises, but some pretty concrete confirmation of what we’ve already reported on.