We received the above screenshots from a Best Buy employee (they have access to see inventory coming) from their internal tools. Looks like T-Mobile switched around the misspelling of “Gecko” and are calling it the Sidekick Gecco. There’s not a whole lot of details other than the name of the device, the size and weight of the box, and the release date of July 27th that we knew about long ago. Oh wait, what’s that? $299? Is that the price of the Sidekick Gecco? Hmm.. Needless to say, this is exciting and only a couple weeks away!

Big thanks to our anonymous tipster

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.

Boy Genius report is now reporting that the Sidekick LX OTA could start rolling out as soon as this week! See our previous post Here covering the 4.6 release notes. Keep in mind that the OTAs are sent out in groups. It might take a few weeks for everyone to get their Update, but everyone WILL get the update. Just have patience.

via Boy Genius Report

Boy Genius Report is reporting that the Sidekick LX OTA Will be rolling out starting June 25th. (This does *NOT* mean you will have it on June 25th. The OTA’s get sent out in groups, at random.) They’ve listed what the OTA will contain as well, some of which we’ve previously confirmed.

* Capture videos using the new video mode
* Playback from the SD card or email attachments using the media player
* Share videos via email, Picture messaging, and Bluetooth
* Listen to songs or videos using a stereo Bluetooth device
* Send and receive photos, videos, or music via Bluetooth
* 3 IM clients & enhancements to AIM® and Yahoo!® Messenger
* Create and join group chats
* See who is logged into IM from the address book or email and instantly start a conversation
* Set a custom status message then keep chatting
* Search for friends in a buddy list
* Got more buddies than you can keep track of? See who’s online right from the address book or email, and search for friends in your buddy lists
* Select how Web pages are displayed based on preference
* PC-like, full-size layout to pan & scan while reading o Standard Sidekick screen-size layout to simply scroll down the page to read · Mini Page to zoom out on an overview of an entire Web page
* Save images from Web pages to the SD card Personalize the way you want to surf
* Device does not restart after a download. Just install an item, and it’s ready to use
* Capture videos and share them directly from the Camera app
* Video integration for playback, send, and save to gallery
* QuickFind: search for keywords across applications to find messages or information
* Spell Checker

via Boy Genius Report

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

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

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.

What you’re looking at is the required FCC label for the next Sidekick. What we’re assuming is the Sidekick Gekko/Aspen is now up on the FCC site as a device manufactured by Sharp named PV210. It’s always nice to see a device confirmed by the FCC because that means their is actually a physical device in the hands of someone. Even with the recent excitement of T-Mobile launching their 3G network, the PV210 is not a 3G device, it’s just good old GSM-850 and PCS1900. Beyond that all we can gather from the FCC docs is that it still uses a microSD card, which means support for music, (probably) videos, themes, and more. Oh, and it has a removable battery, no big surprise there.

The confidentiality on the filed documents expires on August 16th, so unless the FCC screws up then we won’t be seeing the FCC filed pictures of the device until after the rumored July release date. We’ll just have to find some other way to get pictures of the device in the wild. But this date means we’ll definitely be seeing a new Sidekick by August!

FCC Docs

It’s official. T-Mobile has announced the new red scarlet Sidekick Slide. So if the purple color was deterring you before, now you have another option. The T-Mobile Sidekick Slide Scarlet will be available for $199.99 with a two-year service agreement. You should be able to get it online
or at stores. There’s not much else different about it, but in case you want the specs of the Sidekick Slide Scarlet, here you go:
· T-Mobile myFaves
· Smaller design with slide screen and QWERTY keyboard
· Available in a black finish with scarlet accents
· QVGA screen
· Web browser enhancements and improved JavaScript support
· Customized MySpace Mobile application available through the Download Catalog
· Personal e-mail access and integrated t-mail account; supports POP3, IMAP FETCH e-mail protocols
· MMS, SMS and IM supported
· Built-in IM clients: AOL Instant Messenger, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger
· 1.3-megapixel camera
· Built-in music player that supports MP3 and AAC (requires memory card)
· microSD expandable memory slot; support for up to 4 GB of memory
· Bluetooth
· Dimensions: 4.6 x 2.4 x 0.68 inches, 5.3 ounces
· 2 x 1.5-inch display, 320 x 240 pixels, 65k TFT display
· Battery life: Up to 5.9 hours of talk time and 3.6 days of standby
· Quad-band world phone (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
· GSM/GPRS/EDGE