We’ve already got our hands on the Sidekick 2008 and have been playing with it for awhile now. Here’s some photos from our unboxing of the Sidekick 2008 (aka Sidekick Gekko). We also took some photos of the Sidekick 2008 compared to the Sidekick 3, Sidekick LX, and the iPhone 3G. And just for fun, the large bar of soap we call the Color Sidekick. Click for the full review for this device and the hands-on video.

[Show as slideshow]

1 2 ►

If you hadn’t heard, it’s finally time for the Sidekick LX Video OTA to roll out to everyone. Over the last week or two the update has been slowly rolling out. The pioneer people that got the users should also receive a new update that brings them up to the latest version. So yes, it’s finally here guys. It’s rolling out randomly, not based on location at all. Good luck trying to guess when you’ll get the OTA. Just sit tight and we’ll all be enjoying the new video and browser goodness before too long.

What if a PSP got together with a Sidekick? Well, design student Samuel Lau thinks they’d go together perfectly. He’s come up with a design for a PSP with a screen similar to the Sidekick Slide, and a keyboard hidden underneath.

Some words from the designer, Samuel:
-Hope to have 50,000 views and 1000 comments.
-Then i will send this video directly to Sony for consideration.
-Once i reach the target, i will make another official proposal video to Sony.
-I am also raising fund for my education which cost about C$50,000. Hope if Sony like my idea and uses it, they pay half of my education fee.
-Hope i can see the real thing before Christmas 2009 (Fingers cross)!
-So be fast, spread the words!
-Last of all: YOU can make it happen!!!

Here’s his video for Sony to take a look at:

via yanko

Some photos of Sidekick 2008 “dummy phones” have been posted over in the Tmonews forums. Dummy phones are just the body of the phone. They are non-working devices generally used just for show at T-Mobile stores. There are some good comparison pictures of these dummy phones with other dummy sidekicks.

[Show as slideshow]

Don’t have the cash to shell out for one of the Limited Edition Tony Hawk Sidekick LX devices? Well, are you a skater? No? Well even if you’re a poser, you can still enter the contest to win a Tony Hawk LX. It’s being held over on the Sidekick Wiki. It runs until July 21st, so you better hurry! Here’s some more info:

HOW TO ENTER
1. Sign up for a free user name and create your profile on the Sidekick Wiki. If you are already a member of this site, you do not need to register again; use your existing username and profile.

2. Upload a skate photo to this Skate Photo Album (To upload an image to the photo album, sign in to the site, navigate to the album, click the “Add photo” option, and then select the Upload New Photo or Search Yahoo! Images option to add your photo.)

3. To complete your entry, post a comment on this page that says: “Enter me in the Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition Sweepstakes.”
One winner will be randomly chosen from all eligible entries received. A maximum of one (1) entry per day for each individual and email address is permitted for each entry method. One winner will be chosen on or about August 1, 2008, and notified via private message through the Sidekick wiki, the email address associated with his/her account, U.S. Mail or overnight courier. If we cannot contact an individual winner within a reasonable time period, another winner will be chosen randomly. No anonymous users will be eligible to win. Comments posted on any other page of the wiki will not be eligible. The winners will be announced as soon as we get confirming replies via e-mail. See full Rules for complete details.

SWEEPSTAKES DATES
Sweepstakes begins: July 9, 2008
Sweepstakes ends: July 21, 2008
Mail-in entries must be postmarked by: July 21, 2008
Mail-in entries must be received by: July 28, 2008
Drawing: Around August 1, 2008
THE PRIZE
One user will be randomly chosen to receive one (1) T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition. The prize constitutes the device only; phone service is not included and is the sole responsibility of the winner. Approximate retail value of the T-Mobile Sidekick LX Tony Hawk Edition phone is $449.99.

Enter the Sweepstakes

There’s also a contest running to win a chance to hang out with Tony Hawk himself, more info on that here.

For all you non-T-Mobile customers, now is the time to get your Tony Hawk LE Sidekick LX. They’re going for $299 right now, but they’re a limited edition, so if you don’t hurry, you’ll be forced to scour eBay for one before too long. Along with the full launch of the Tony Hawk Limited Edition Sidekick LX, T-Mobile has also redesigned the sidekick.com site to turn it into “Tony’s World”. It’s a pretty rad interactive flash site with Tony, his new Sidekick, multiple locations, and a couple Easter eggs. Let us know what you find with your eagle eyes on the site, and keep an eye out for that Yeti!

Everyone keeps asking where their video OTA is for the Sidekick LX. It’s still in the pioneer phase right now. This means it will roll out to a small percentage of the Sidekick LX users first. Things will be tested to make sure nothing is wrong, and then it will roll out to everyone. The OTA has been in the pioneer phase for about a month, with no word on an official full roll-out date yet. It’s unclear as to why things aren’t rolling out to everyone, but it could be anything from a small bug, to larger problems on the back-end servers. Hang in there guys. It’s totally worth the wait!

The video above from Crunchgear shows the unboxing of the Tony Hawk Sidekick LX Limited Edition. If you are a T-Mobile customer, these devices are already available. If you aren’t a T-Mobile customer already, you should be able to get it on July 16th, but sign up over on www.sidekick.com to get an email reminder when it does go on sale for the general public.

Just in case you didn’t get the SMS, exisiting T-Mobile customers can now upgrade to the new Tony Hawk Limited Edition Sidekick LX. The price will vary from person to person, based on the last time you upgraded your phone. I upgraded to a Sidekick LX (no contract extension) the day they were available and the above price is what T-Mobile showed me. All you need to do is log in to My T-Mobile click on Shop -> Upgrade Phone and then you should see the Tony Hawk LX if you’re eligible to upgrade. You can also call Customer Care to upgrade, or even upgrade in select stores (call first to see if they have the Tony Hawk LX in stock).

Want to compare the rumored size of the Sidekick 2008 to the Sidekick LX? Take a look: