Let’s hear if for a new and improved shutdown and startup animations on the Sidekick LX 2009!

The first (real) Sidekick LX 2009 unboxing!  exiva was one of the lucky ones that got his Sidekick LX 2009 a little bit early.  He’s posted a bunch of photos of him unboxing it as well as some great close ups.  Check them out below:

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I got in touch with him and he says he’s willing to answer any questions you guys have.  So lay them on us in the comments and we’ll answer any of the unanswered questions you still have!

We’ve been hearing all sorts of stories about the delivery of pre-ordered Sidekick LXs. A large number of people jumped on the pre-order when T-Mobile put it online on April 17th with the hopes that they would get their device before the rest of the world gets it on May 13th. Some of these people are getting a nice surprise and are reporting that their devices have shown up already! Others are reporting that their order has a status of “Backordered” when they check with T-Mobile. We spoke to T-Mobile and they assured us that the pre-orders that are saying “backordered” will definitely arrive by May 12th, so don’t worry. But for those of you that got them early, enjoy the little mixup and brag to your friends while you can!

Want to watch a video of the Sidekick LX 2009 that’s totally in focus? Here’s T-Mobile’s official press release video:

There’s also the video of this guy using it:

If you’re one for soundbites too, then there’s also these videos from Emily Blair, the T-Mobile Sidekick Manager talking about the features of the Sidekick LX 2009:

Last night T-Mobile threw a party to celebrate the Sidekick LX 2009. Our invitation must have been lost in the mail on the way to San Francisco, but EngadgetMobile was there. They filmed this video playing with the Sidekick LX 2009:

According to the rep for T-Mobile:
– Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter are built in automatically downloaded and installed. Technically they’re actually catalog apps so you can uninstall them if you don’t want them later though.
– YouTube video streaming looks smooth
– You can capture any length of video, but MMS is limited to 30 seconds

Appletech over at PoweredByDanger has posted up a new batch of screenshots of the Sidekick LX 2009, and we’ve collected them for you.

Lots of screenshots of the updated Microsoft Live Search application, as well as the Twitter and Facebook applications.

Thanks again to PBD for giving us a video preview of Mood Lights on the new Sidekick LX-09:

https://s581.photobucket.com/albums/ss259/appletech_pbd/?action=view&current=MVI_1944.flv

T-Mobile has just posted the first unboxing commercial for the Sidekick LX 2009 on their YouTube account. Unfortunately it doesn’t really show much of the device. Luckily Appletech comes through with a video for all of you that want to see what the device actually does. Check out his 7 minute video showing off the Sidekick LX 2009.

Thanks to the folks at the official Danger Device Forums, there are a lot more specifics on features thanks to the moderators who actually have been test-driving the devices for several weeks.  Here is the rundown so far (with some more pics!):

• No Shells like the 2008
• 3 mood lights – new locations: 1 on top and bottom of the keyboard

https://www.poweredbydanger.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1332&d=1240058761

and 1 long one on the top edge of the screen when opened (bottom of screen when closed)

https://www.poweredbydanger.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1333&d=1240058814

• Actual Screen Shot (click for full size)

• no animated gifs
• SDHC Memory – no limit – just what is available on the market (16gb – OK!!)
• Speaker is louder than before
• Video Mode – Low Res is a 176×144 resolution meant for sending via email/mms. This resolution is limited to something like 4 minutes.
• Video taken from an SK09 (Hi-Res Mode – no recording limit!!):

https://s581.photobucket.com/albums/ss259/appletech_pbd/?action=view&current=VID00002.flv

• Photo App  Max size: 2,048 x 1,536

https://img14.imageshack.us/img14/8283/img00061h.jpg
https://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2281/img00062l.jpg
https://img14.imageshack.us/img14/7992/img00064l.jpg

• You can Geotag photos with your GPS location.
• It’s a 3.2MP camera with Auto Focus and flash (no zooming).
• There’s an auto focus mode with options distant and macro mode. There’s white balance controls, and B&W, Sepia, Negative effect options.
• Available resolution options are:
  • 2048 x 1536
  • 1600 x 1200
  • 1280 x 960
  • 800 x 600
  • 640 x 480
• YouTube videos work.
• m.break.com videos work (but not smooth)
• Seesmic does not work
• Facebook app seems to be a souped-up mobile version. No videos, apps, etc.
• Internet Radio Works!! (Ex: ShoutCast):
  https://poweredbydanger.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1342&d=1240089939
• Yahoo Messenger supports animated buddy icons.
• AIM and Yahoo Messenger now support photo sharing
• You can also upload videos to youtube (or photobucket or myspace) directly
• Web Browser still does not support Flash
• You cannot roam on AT&Ts 3G Network due to the ranges being different:
  The LX09 supports UMTS Bands 2100, 1700, 850.
  T-Mobile uses 1700 and 2100 for 3G, while AT&T uses 1900. So you won’t be able to roam on AT&T 3G.
  As for “Other networks”, it depends on what 3G band they are using.
• Still has chrome around the USB/Charger, but appears to be more sratch-resistant:
  https://poweredbydanger.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1338&d=1240087896
• Data plans are grandfathered. T-Mobile will not raise your rates
• When GPS is on, the battery drains faster. (there is an option to turn it on/off)
• Browser is overall the same as the last OTA on the LX. But you have a LOT more room:
  https://poweredbydanger.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1319&d=1239974010
• Still 6MB limit on email/ 100+30 limit on SMS (both same as before)
• No confirmation as to “Free Ringtone downloads” still basing it on info already published.
• Themes can still be user-generated like before
• Social apps (Twitter, Myspace, Photobucket, and Facebook) are all FREE – no monthly charges!!!!

We got another internal memo from T-Mobile.  Nothing too groundbreaking, but we figured it was worth posting for the sake of completeness.

Sidekick LX Pre-sale Launch

The Sidekick is going high speed with the launch of the new T-Mobile Sidekick LX on May 13 – the first 3G enabled Sidekick.

Existing T-Mobile customers will get the chance to purchase the Sidekick LX before it’s available to the general public with a pre-sale offer beginning April 17. During the pre-sale offer, existing customers can purchase the Sidekick LX on My T-Mobile at a special pre-sale price.

The sleek Sidekick LX comes with the same great features and functionality customers have grown accustomed to and includes enhancements such as 3G connectivity, GPS enabled Live Search, a 3.2 MP camera, and is the thinnest Sidekick with the largest and sharpest screen available of any other Sidekick. The Sidekick LX also features free bundled social networking applications including Facebook, My Space, and Twitter, which are optimized for the Sidekick making it easy for customers to navigate and view these sites. Customers also have access to Photobucket and You Tube, where they can easily watch You Tube videos and upload their own videos directly from the Sidekick LX. Sidekick LX customers can now talk on the phone while they surf the Web or IM friends with simultaneous voice and data capabilities.

Important: In order for customers to get the most out of their Sidekick LX, they must add the data feature. With the data feature, customers will receive unlimited nationwide text messaging, instant messaging, e-mail and Web browsing (international use is not included). Also, customers can easily download any software updates that become available for their Sidekick when they have the feature on their account. Customers without the data feature will have very limited functionality and will have a substandard Sidekick experience.

Note: The pre-sale offer is not available to FlexPay and Puerto Rico customers due to system limitations or to T-Mobile employees.

Pre-sale Pricing (April 17 – May 12)

2-year contract: $199.99 after $50 mail-in rebate

Delivery Expectations:
Customers who purchase the Sidekick LX during the pre-sale offer should receive their device by May 12 if purchased by April 30.
Orders placed between May 1 – May 12 cannot be guaranteed for delivery by the national launch date, but these customers will receive the special pre-sale pricing.
Customer Interest Form

The Sidekick LX 2009 Customer Interest Form should be used to collect contact information for customers who express interest in purchasing the Sidekick LX at launch.

Existing customers should be informed they can purchase the Sidekick LX online at My T-Mobile and will receive the special pre-sale price. Devices should not be reserved or guaranteed to customers, family members, or friends through store locations.

Action Steps

• Be aware the Sidekick LX will launch to existing customers on April 17, and all other customers on May 13.
• Refer customers to Sidekick.com for more information on the Sidekick LX or to My T-Mobile to purchase the Sidekick during the presale offer.
• Begin using the Customer Interest Form to capture details for customers who are interested in purchasing the Sidekick LX in-store at launch.
• Help right fit customers with the handsets/devices that best matches their lifestyle and needs.
• Ask probing questions to determine how they currently use or wish to use their device.
• Determine if customers currently use or are interested in high-speed Web browsing, GPS, visiting social networking sites, streaming media, instant messaging, text messaging, e-mail, and a full QWERTY keyboard to right fit them for the Sidekick LX.
• Make sure customers add the data feature when upgrading to the Sidekick LX in order for them to have unlimited nationwide text messaging, instant messaging, e-mail, Web browsing, and access to social networking sites.
• Review the Sidekick LX Pre-sale Launch article on the Retail Communication Home Page for additional details about the device.