T-Mobile Sidekick 3 Makes Debut
T-Mobile said Tuesday that it would next week launch the Sidekick 3, which has rapidly become a cult favorite among trendsetters and celebrities alike. Although planned for general availability July 10, current customers would be able to upgrade to the device via the handset upgrade program beginning June 28.
The latest incarnation of the Sidekick is some 20 percent smaller than the Sidekick II. A new trackball provides one-handed navigation, and Bluetooth functionality has been added to the device. Moreover, the Sidekick 3 has been turned into an MP3 player with a Mini-SD card slot for additional memory.
"The T-Mobile Sidekick 3 is a social lifeline; it's a must-have device for those who need to be in touch with their circle of friends on their terms," T-Mobile USA marketing vice president Chidam Chidambaram said in a statement.
Additionally, for the first time the device would be able to connect to all three major IM networks including MSN, and would be EDGE-capable. The Sldekick 3 is built around an ARM processor to speed data access, and features a longer-lasting and replaceable battery.
"They've carved out a nice niche for themselves. They really don't compete with the Blackberry, in fact the Sidekick is really the anti-Blackberry crowd," JupiterResearch analyst Michael Gartenberg commented. "All in all, it's a nice evolutionary upgrade to a well designed product."
Pricing for the Sidekick 3 was not announced, however the Sidekick II retails for $349.99 USD before rebates.