The confidentiality request for the FCC docs for the Sidekick 2008 (Gekko) has expired and all the docs submitted to the FCC are now available on their site. There’s not much new and exciting since the Sidekick is already out and everyone and their brother is picking one up. But there are some internal photos of the device as well as some photos showing how they test the device to make sure it doesn’t microwave your brains. It’s also kind of interesting to know where the actual antennas are located on the device. If that kind of stuff interests you, here are some of the pics we pulled out:

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Original FCC Docs

For all of those of you out there that are still wrapping their Sidekick 2008 in saran wrap to keep from scratching the screen, your wait is over. InvisibleSHIELDs for the Sidekick 2008 went up on their site today. Head over to the Sidekick 2008 Screen Protector page on Sidekick Shopper to get the 15% discount for Sidekick users and get yours now. They’ll even hook you up with free shipping! They’re a bit pricey, but when you think about how much you spent on your Sidekick Gekko and how much $$$ you’ll want to get when you sell it to buy the Sidekick 2009, it’s worth not having scratches all over the screen.

UPDATE: Here are some pics sent over of a Sidekick 2008 with the full body invisibleSHIELD applied to protect the shell.

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Want to watch YouTube on your Sidekick? Well you’re out of luck for streaming, but you can convert the videos from YouTube to a Sidekick friendly format on your PC. Dave writes in to our comments about how to convert YouTube videos for watching on the Sidekick:

Guys please listen up closely 😉 and read carefully.

Ok, I did a little research and figured out how to Download the videos off youtube and convert them to mp4 so they can be added to your phone.

Follow closely these steps and read carefully, its fairly simple.

1. Download Free Youtube to Ipod Converter
Link: https://www.dvdvideosoft.com/download/FreeYouTubeToiPodConverter.exe

2. Open the converter and Add a Youtube link to it. For Example…This random video I chose!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4UuTiK4a7o&fmt=18

(Now notice, that in the end of the link theres a “&fmt=18″. That is very important and It must be there, If it isn’t then add it onto the link”

Simply place that in the Input URL.

3. Select the Output.
Click Devices, Choose MP4 Mobile Phones, and select The Standard Quality. Then just simply edit where you want the video to be downloaded to and the name you want it to have and just download it.

4. Plug in your phone through the USB connector to your pc, and open the Music Folder. Simply click and drag the video in there.

5. Unplug your USB, and check your Music Player library, and there should be a video in the videos tab. Just click and viola.

Your welcome in advance

Thanks Dave!

Looks like we’ve got our first custom Sidekick 2008 Shell unboxing. Kyrios, a PBD regular, sent this in to us. It’s a PoweredByDanger themed shell. Looks like they’re quality! You can make your own over at sidekickshells.com.

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Hola! Looks like T-Mobile is starting to cater to the Spanish speaking users with the newest Sidekick 2008. We already posted about some of their press videos that were in Spanish, and we got the press release below that mentions the new Sidekick will have a Spanish language interface, a first for the Sidekick line. They also brag about the shells and the new shell customization website as well. Rightfully so, as everyone we’ve talked to has been impressed by the customization website. We can’t wait to see what the custom shells look like. If you got a custom shell, send it to us for the gallery!

T-MOBILE TAKES CUSTOMIZATION TO A NEW LEVEL WITH THE LATEST T-MOBILE SIDEKICK

The new T-Mobile® Sidekick® lets customers change the look of their device as often as they change their clothes

BELLEVUE, Wash. – July 30, 2008 – A picture from high school graduation, a favorite sports team logo or a vibrant splash of the hottest fall color – whatever you want to express, you can design it on the new T-Mobile® Sidekick®. Available today, T-Mobile USA, Inc. has added the latest edition to the Sidekick family providing customers with the opportunity to create shells for their Sidekick with the images, colors or designs they choose.

The new Sidekick will ship with two shells: black and metallic green. A variety of pre-designed shell patterns and colors also are readily available for customers to purchase at T-Mobile retail stores or online. Of course, for true individualization, customers can design a completely unique shell unlike any other using a dedicated online Sidekick site via SkinIt at www.sidekickshells.com. Doing so is as simple as uploading a personal photo or graphic design, or selecting your own text, shapes, icons or logos. The final design is custom-printed onto the shell, then shipped. Once the design is complete, customers can share their work of art in a public gallery that will be hosted on www.sidekick.com.

“There is perhaps nothing more important than someone’s individual style and personality. The new

T-Mobile Sidekick, with its customizable shells, lets our customers easily express that unique style directly on their phone,” says Sajal Sahay, director, product marketing, T-Mobile USA. “Providing our customers with options to stand out from the crowd and show a true expression of themselves is what makes this Sidekick such an intriguing, fun device.”

In addition to enhanced personalization, the T-Mobile Sidekick is sporting a slightly smaller, thinner and lighter design than previous Sidekicks. It also comes fully loaded with the latest Sidekick features including video capture and playback ability, so customers can record and watch spontaneous and memorable moments, whether at a football game or a music concert.

The new Sidekick also features an integrated Spanish user interface – the first for a Sidekick device. Other features include first-rate messaging with IM, text and e-mail, as well as stereo Bluetooth® for easy photo and file transfers and a 2.0 megapixel camera. The Sidekick also is equipped with customizable Web surfing and more internal memory for storage of ringtones and multimedia messages.

Everyone who has used the Sidekick Shells website has been impressed by how easy it is to use. We’re still waiting to see how all these custom shells come out. If you got one, take a picture of it (and include yourself proudly holding it) and send it in to admin [at] hiptop3.com. We’re going to start a gallery of readers and their pimped out kicks!

Have you ever dropped your Sidekick? Chances are your answer is “yes” as you gaze sadly at the scratch on your screen. I know, I did it just the other week and now I have a big ding in my Sidekick LX‘s screen. I’ve been hearing my friends talk about the InvisibleSHIELD screen protectors for awhile, but didn’t get one myself until recently. I’m pretty impressed with them. They brag that they’re “military grade protection” and I don’t doubt it. Apparently this stuff was designed for use on helicopter blades or something. Pretty crazy. Anyways, just wanted to let you guys know that these things are pretty cheap and totally worth every penny. If you ever want to resell your Sidekick to get the latest version, you’ll get a lot more $$$ if it’s scratch free. Unfortunately they don’t have screen protectors for the Sidekick 2008 yet, but we’ll let you know when they come in. If you’ve got a Sidekick II, 3, LX, Slide, or iD you’re in luck now though. Check them out:

invisibleSHIELD for the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 (Front)

invisibleSHIELD for the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 (Screen)

invisibleSHIELD for the T-Mobile Sidekick II (Screen)

invisibleSHIELD for the T-Mobile Sidekick iD (Full Body)

invisibleSHIELD for the T-Mobile Sidekick iD (Screen)


invisibleSHIELD for the T-Mobile Sidekick LX (Screen)

invisibleSHIELD for the T-Mobile Sidekick Slide (Full Body)

invisibleSHIELD for the T-Mobile Sidekick Slide (Screen)

Think you’ve got the most damaged Sidekick? Are you still using it? We want to see. Post a link to a photo in the comments or email them in to admin [at] hiptop3.com.

Want to see some small video clips from T-Mobile about the Sidekick 2008? Most of them are of Ximena from T-Mobile (who’s really cool and I got a chance to meet on the Grammy Tour) talking about why the device is so great (in both English and Spanish), but there are also some generic videos showing off the device. I’m not sure why the one guy playing with his Sidekick looks so nervous. Maybe he doesn’t know how to turn it on? Anyways, enjoy…

Sidekick 2008’s ability to customize

Easy to Design your own Sidekick 2008

Creating Sidekick 2008 Custom Shell

Sidekick 2008 Shells

Playing with his Sidekick 2008 (Why so nervous man?)

Talking about the Sidekick 2008 (in Spanish)
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3

There are quite a few of you out there still hanging onto the Sidekick 3, and wondering if it’s time to upgrade to the Sidekick 2008. Well, here’s our opinion, toss yours in the comments:

If you’ve been sticking with a Sidekick 3 (or one of the older devices) then it’s time to upgrade. Take our word for it, you’ll love the higher resolution screen and won’t be able to go back. There’s video playback and recording. The new features in the browser (full page mode) and some new OS tweaks (Quickfind, new address book behavior, etc) are very handy to have. The keyboard may take some getting used to, but in our opinion it’s better than both the 3 and the II keyboards. And at $150, chances are you’ll be able to score a deal somewhere and get it super cheap. There’s no official word from T-Mobile, but we won’t be surprised to see this device eventually offered for $50 (or even maybe free) with a 2 year contract.

People are constantly asking, should I upgrade to the Sidekick 2008 if I have a Sidekick LX? Well it depends on what you’re looking for. Here’s our opinion, feel free to leave yours in the comments:

If you already have a Sidekick LX, you’re not going to gain much by getting a Sidekick 2008. You’ll basically get a slightly better camera, but lose the LED flash. If fashion in the form of replaceable shells is your thing and you’ve got money to burn, go for it. But you’re probably better off just grabbing some Sidekick LX gel skins or a lens frame. Then again if you feel like the LX is too big or heavy, then you can drop a few ounces if you pick up a 2008.