The Limited Edition phones you have all been waiting for have hit TMobile’s site. All the same features, but new colors and designs. If you’re looking to be the stylish Sidekick 3 user, it’ll set you back $349, $50 more than the ordinary (and now boring) ones.

Oh, how we love rumors with nothing to back it up save for a post on one of the countless forums out there. But hey, that’s how so many things start, right? The latest rumor on the forums out there is that the Sidekick 3 is slated to arrive in the UK in December, on TMobile as usual. So, make sure you add a Sidekick 3 to your Wish List if you’re one of our friends across the ocean.

via Slashgear

The Hiptop is available in the US, Canada, Germany, UK, Austria, Cayman Islands, Singapore, the Netherlands, and now Australia. Based on a press release on their site, it looks like Danger is ready to conquer the down under continent. They’ve teamed up with Telstra (Australia’s leading telecommunications and information services company) this time. But you Aussies will have to wait for awhile before you can enjoy the goodness of the Hiptop 3. For some reason Danger is launching with the Hiptop 2 down under. Although one speculates that an unlocked Sidekick 3 might just work. They’re touting unlimited data plans for $30 with a 2-year contract over on Telstra’s site but no indication on what it would cost with a voice plan.

Danger, Inc. today announced the availability of its mobile Internet service in Australia with the launch of the Telstra hiptop2. Danger’s entry into this market is another milestone for the company, building on the widespread popularity of Danger-powered devices, like the hiptop, that are sold in North America and Europe. The Telstra hiptop2 will be offered with unlimited data pricing for Australian consumers. Telstra is the market leader in Australia with over 8 million mobile subscribers, making the company a significant new partner for Danger.

“Entering the Australian market is a promising development for Danger,” said Henry R. Nothhaft, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Danger, Inc. “By entering new geographies, we are positioning the company for further growth.”

Official press release

An anonymous reader tipped us off to these new exhibits posted on the FCC site. It’s the normal FCC submissions of confidentiality request and test results submitted by Sharp (the manufacturers of the Sidekick) but definitely a Danger powered device. They’re fairly recent, posted on 09/05/2006 with testing taking place in July-August.
A quick breeze through them and it looks like this may be some sort of updated Sidekick 3. The model number is given as PV200E (the original Sidekick 3 is listed as PV200). In addition, the sticker above matches the current sticker in shape. The only difference we’ve found so far is the GSM frequencies. Instead of 850/1800/1900, this one is 900/1800/1900. Our first guess was this is the (E)uropean version of the Sidekick 3. But that begs the question, “Why file with the FCC?” Perhaps this is an updated model with the intent to release in the US as well as globally, a.k.a. the Hiptop 3. Maybe this is one of those Limited Edition Sidekick 3s? I guess we’ll find out when the confidentiality request expires on October 12th. Drop your guesses in the comments

The emails were sent out, SunCom will soon be selling the Hiptop 3. And as always, the SunCom customers luck out, as they will get discounts (33-50%) on apps and games that they already purchased for the Sidekick II. This discount does not apply towards ringtones though. Thanks to one of our readers for forwarding the full email:

On Thu, 14 Sep 2006 3:06, SunCom Wireless wrote:
>
> Be the first to get your hiptop3 so you can listen to music, surf the
> Web faster, take better photos, use Bluetooth headsets to make calls,
> and just look cooler with a brand new phone! The hiptop3 will be
> available from SunCom Wireless online at www.suncom.com and in stores
> on September 18, 2006 – just FIVE DAYS away!
>
> The hiptop3 is only $299.99 with a 2-year extension to your contract;
> or, you can get it for just $349.99 with a 1-year contract extension
> or $399.99 without an extension to your contract. Your SunCom
> Wireless Sales Associate can help determine your eligibility.
>
> And there’s more good news. You get a discount on the games and
> applications that you currently own on your hiptop2. The Catalog
> content you will see on your hiptop3 was updated to be compatible with
> the new device. So when you upgrade, you will need to purchase any
> content you wish to have on your hiptop3. But if you already have
> hiptop2 content, you’ll enjoy discounts* of 33% to 50% when you
> download hiptop3 games and applications that you currently own.
>
> Now, go on… hook up and get hip!
>
> -SunCom Wireless
> —————————-
> * Discounted pricing excludes ringtones. All prices and dates are
> subject to change.
>
> hiptop is a registered trademark of Danger, Inc. Bluetooth is a
> registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
>
> If you have any questions about our privacy policy, please visit
> https://www.suncom.com/privacy.shtml

For all you SunCom users, rejoice. You can preorder you Hiptop 3 for $299.99! (with a 2year agreement) They’re saying it will be available in the Fall of 2006. (Way to be specific guys.) As expected, SunCom is going to get what looks to be a cooler Phone screen, but the device otherwise looks the same. Here’s the link to the official page.

Yeah, it’s finally July 10th. For those that have been waiting, you probably don’t need me to tell you to go out and get one. For those of you that have been under a rock, now’s your chance to grab a Sidekick 3.

(7:56am Pacific) The incredible Rockstarr is spitting hot fire from the line in Santa Monica this morning! She got there about 6:30am and says the line is so big that she’s worried she might not get one! She hooked us up with some pictures, and sent her brother to the front of the line to get a few more. We think he should not be allowed to get a Sidekick 3 since he took pictures at the lowest resolution. But to give him credit, at least he got these before they kicked him back to his place in line.

If anyone else is waiting in line, let us know and send pictures and reports! admin@hiptop3.com

UPDATE (10:38am Pacific): Rockstarr is about 50 people away from “the tent where you get the wristband to wait in line again.” She estimates that about 700 or so people are there.

UPDATE (11:12am Pacific): Rockstarr has her wristband!

UPDATE (12:09pm Pacific): Rockstarr has been recognized by some Tmobile and Danger guys! Apparently they’re reading hiptop3.com at the store in Santa Monica! A big shoutout and thanks to the Danger and TMobile employees dealing with all of us! (psst, Danger, looking to hire someone to do support any time soon? I’ll be in the Bay Area in a few months hehe)

UPDATE (1:13pm Pacfici): SUCCESS! Rockstarr is driving home in the shockermobile with her new Sidekick 3!

Final Update with pics (last two pics are the first pics taken with her Sidekick 3!)

It’s finally here. For all those current Sidekick owners, now is your first chance to upgrade to the Sidekick 3! Jump onto TMobile.com and login, click Phones & Accessories, and then Upgrade Your Phone on the right side of the page. You’ll have to click to the Handhelds tab, and then you should see a Sidekick 3 option! Alternatively, you can call up Customer Care at 611 from your current phone and they’ll help you out.

11:03pm Central – We ordered ours, how about you? 🙂
Contract Extension options:

Order Confirmation Page:

More coverage of the Upgrade Excitement:
No Contract extension for $349??
Report from the field in Santa Monica
..and for the latest up-to-date news, just hit the front page

We received this in our email. Almost makes us wish we lived in New York.. almost.. 🙂
—–
T-MOBILE DEBUTS THE NEW T-MOBILE SIDEKICK 3 WITH AN EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW SALE AT THEIR GRAND CENTRAL STORE

T-Mobile Customers and Sidekick Fans Invited for a Sneak Peak and an Opportunity for Advanced Purchase of the Summer’s Must Have Device

WHAT: T-Mobile customers and Sidekick enthusiasts receive a first look and exclusive pre-sale opportunity of the sleek new T-Mobile Sidekick 3, the latest and greatest iteration of the ever popular handheld, which has become synonymous with New York lifestyle. Featuring a special guest appearance from All Star Vince Carter as well as music, giveaways, interactive displays, T-Mobile Sidekick accessories and more, the preview sale is guaranteed to draw a crowd.

At the event existing T-Mobile customers will be provided VIP access and an advanced opportunity to upgrade prior to the official retail launch of the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 on July 10th.

Additionally, Z 100’s Romeo will be on hand, hyping the crowd and presenting on-air giveaways.

ABOUT THE T-MOBILE SIDEKICK 3

Still the ultimate communication device, the redesigned T-Mobile Sidekick 3 has been enhanced from its predecessor, to incorporate the newest technology in a slimmer, sexier package. Users can stay fashionably connected on the go with email, instant messaging, blue-tooth support, built in organizer, 1.3 megapixel camera and an MP3 player – all in one device – with the new T-Mobile Sidekick 3. For more information, please visit www.sidekick.com