Over the past few months, rumors of a “Sidekick 2.5″ were flying about. I took notice and after a few weeks, checked with some of my sources to confirm. Sure enough, a “Sidekick 2.5″ was in the works as a trimmed-down alternative to the Sidekick 3. Today I was leaked a picture of the device, which you see above in a color pattern known as “ugly”. Though it’s not the prettiest device, the Sidekick ID (yes, that’s it’s name) comes with all the features you love on your SK3, just without all the crap.
So what’s in a name? The Sidekick ID is trimmed down to showcase communication features rather than the extra crap that’s usually included. You won’t find some of the following features on the Sidekick ID: Bluetooth, MP3 Player, digital camera, or a microSD slot.
What you will find on the Sidekick ID though is probably quite welcome to most people. An IM client with AIM, Yahoo!, and MSN, e-mail client, web browser, and, of course, a phone are all part of the Sidekick ID’s core. An updated Danger OS and new menu style will of course be present, but don’t expect a radical new design change or anything like that. Of course, T-Mobile’s myFaves will be an integral part of the Sidekick ID.
Navigation will include a trackball like the Sidekick 3/Tempest arcade machine, but it’s currently unknown if the d-pad will make its way to the Sidekick ID’s final design. Since all we have a picture taken from a T-Mobile employee, it’s hard to gauge if the left-hand side will be a speaker or d-pad. Perhaps both? It’s a possibility, but judging by the looks of it, I’d say a speaker.
The fan-favorite keypad design will stay with the Sidekick ID, allowing you to text and IM to your heart’s content. The display will still flip out and make a ridiculously loud sound so everyone knows you’re using a Sidekick. Don’t worry. You’re still special to us.
So with most of the specs and features covered, two questions remain: “How much will it cost me and when will it be available?”
Brace yourself!
The Sidekick ID will drop in Q2 this year, most likely during the summer and will cost less than the Sidekick 3. I’ve heard from two sources that a $149.99 price point is being considered to keep it affordable and to make it available to the masses. I mean let’s face it. T-Mobile totally made a killing releasing the Sidekick 3 and making people pay $300 with a 2-year contract. Sure they can leave their contracts now, but T-Mobile still made decent buck.
However, with more core features and less gimmicky crap like an MP3 player, the Sidekick ID has the chance to become one of the hottest communication devices of the summer. Think of it as a Blackberry for non-professionals who still want to keep in touch with friends, family, and co-workers while on the go.
Anyways, that’s it. That’s the dope on the Sidekick ID. It’s not called the “Sidekick 2.5″, it is lacking certain features, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in this case, and it’s due out this summer. Enjoy.
I think the real news here is that third-rate blogger Vince actually has sources!
the phone is ugly eww
Since when was Bluetooth *not* a communication feature?
my friend wants that because her parents wont buy her an sk3
It is a D-Pad as well as a speaker.
I love m sidekick 2, and since the SK3 has a limited, and in my opinion crippled BT usage, this will do just fine. What you are getting is the physical finctionality of the SK3, with the stipped down’ness of the SK2.
Lets face it, the SK3 mp3 player sucks, the BT usage is ridiculus, and the EDGE is questionable as it is. This is just fine, and will bring the Danger brand into even more hands – which is what THEY want, as well as th emonetarily challenged.
T-Mobile has a Sidekick plan that doesn’t include voice and now, hard of hearing customers won’t have to pay for BT and an MP3 player they’re not going to use. I think this is a great idea.
The MP3 player does NOT suck. Maybe if everyone stopped ripping songs :)
Just kidding!
But it is a VERY good MP3 player. Any other phone i have you cannot listen to music while playing a game, IMing, or browseing the web. (the song KBPS matters, I typically use 128, but I use 112 on songs that can handle that.)
This is just the first device with a MP3 player. It is inevitable that there will be improvments :)
As for the EDGE- Thats T-mobile.
My internet is ALWAYS fast. Sometimes at night it may take a few seconds longer, but I ususally experience DSL speeds.
The Blue tooth serves it’s purpose – to make calls with a wireless heaset.
I will probably buy this because i have almost every sidekick (minus the Diane VFB and Juicy); so there is no point in not continuing.
I hope this device looks better in person, like the others did.
This will be very interesting to see!
that is the uglyest phone! i would never buy it i mean come on….
Its alright
I think it migth be a good idea
I can’t wait till tha sidekick ID c0mes out they s0Oo…B0MB L0L….
This is just what I need. A phone. I don’t need a camera or an Mp3 player, I have my Canon Powershot and my iPod for that. I’ve wanted a Sidekick since the 2 came out, but I wasmore than a little agravated at the fact that I’d probably end up spending $300+, and not use 97% of the features. I’d just use it to call people (obviously), Text/IM people and check e-mail. This “Sidekick ID” has all of these and none of the useless crap that the 3 does.
…and it’ll be coming out just as I’m getting out of Navy Boot Camp/Going into A-school. There’s a plus.
The color scheme is not ugly, at least not to me. Not everyone likes the “gray brick” color scheme. I find this scheme cool and relaxing, not overly dramatized.
I don’t get people on here talking about how they want a sidekick but won’t use 97% of the features… that’s why they have nokias and all that or get one of them new blackberry’s
I’ve got an SK3 now and I’d much rather go back to an SK2, but the ID is a lot smaller so who knows…I always change my mind about the ‘kick.
Ah im getting it!
I think that phone will be good for other people not me I have a sidekick 3 and I love my phone only if it was a lil lounder and you could watch videos that would be so cool. Thank you for your time
I think that phone would be good for other costamers not for me becuse I have the sidekick 3 and I love my phone only if it was a lil bit lounder and you could watch videos on it that would be nice. Thank you for your time reading this
well theres also werd tht is coming out in three diff colors blue pink yellow well look @ it this way pp work in gov jobs and the sk is there only phone so now they can have there sk with emm without gettin in trouble for havin a camara
Awesome, I’m new to the sidekick community. My SK3 is really the best device ever, I’m gonna get this one too. It looks really cool. I’m gonna make my brother get one so that we can stay in touch all of the time. SK3 still ownes though.
i think it a great idea cause da camera sucks and da mp3 player to so y not get this and listen to ur dam ipod
I really think it looks nice; but i like the Sidekick3
I really think it looks nice; but i like the nokia8800
Hi! i love my Skick 3!! the only thing i wish it did was turn Mp3 songs into ringtones! thats the only i wish they would change eventually! I understand how this new phone would be crafty for maybe older people that do not care about all the fancy stuff like my fiance he just wants phone to call people. i have to have email, and im, and internet.
Check out Hiptopcentral.com for detail about the sk slim down razr version.
http://hiptopcentral.com/
I’d buy this phone if it’s: within my low wage budget :-\, doesn’t only come in one color, and if there weren’t as many restrictions as the first sidekicks.
T.T being a kid sucks but i already got a phone but i want this for AIM lol coz when i be at my friend’s they dont have no internet plus its either i get this or the sk2 and does this come in prepaid? loll
Sidekick takes MiniSd cards not Micro.
should at least have a camera, i could live without the mp3 player and the bluetooth, but a camera is pretty much essentual for a phone now days. i mean come on look at the Razr and the krzr their cameras do not take that much space, so if it does not come with a camera then thats just stupid! i think i’ll just wait for the sidekick X (the new sidekick)
I like it, I think it looks like a toy.
I hope it does come in colors.
HEY COLEN i mean colin EAT MY CLITTERUS YOU DIRTY MAN WHORE!
Well i wont buy it im happy with my d-wade sk3 and well if the sk3 would play videos, blue tooth would work, and you could save mp3s as ringtones i’d die!!!
Treo all the way baby.
IS THIS LIKE A WAK VERSION OF THE SK3 OR IS IT BETTER I LIKE IT AND I WOULD LIKE TO BUY IT BUT WHAT IS THIS ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO USE THE BLUETOOTH ON IT THAT IS WAK
Wait so is this supposed to be the sidekick 4?
Or is the sidekick 4 coming out later…?
i like them they look nice it just would be better if there was a camera, i could live without the mp3 bc i have an ipod. and i think not having a camera or bluetooth etc, will be this phones down fall because kids/teens don’t want a phone without a cmera.
This sk def needs a camera, I mean, how r u supposed to show it off on myspace w.o taking one of those mirror pix with ur cool new sk. Lame. Ahahh
The SK ID is customizeable. you can choose the color and pattern and everything! yeee I can’t wait!
my sk 2 died after 1.5 years and i hate the sk3 so this will be perfect! i can have my sk 2 back, but better!
My D-wade sk3 is badass! Screw the ID the thing looks like a retarded brick! The sk3 could use some improvements like turning MP3’s into ringtones but video doesn’t really matter! I mean not for a teenager like me when are you REALLY gonna need to rec. sumthing. And how the hell does the ID not have a camera! What kinda shit is that! I had to get a new memory card just for pics!
This is such a great idea. Seems perfect for the Sidekick plan. Theirs no call time minutes so why would you need bluetooth? Ok a camera and MP3 would be nice, but who doesnt have an iPod, Zune, and a digital camera? not to mention any other camera is better than the one that suppose to be in the SK. I can’t wait for it to be released… I’m definetly gettin one!!!
this is goin to be a tight device……..a camera would be convientent but i don’t need bluetooth, or a MP3 player!!
I also love how it is goin to be cheaper =]
can’t wait to get it!
Well u know wat da sk3 camera is trash the mp3 is trash its online good 4 im n textin every1 need 2get the dash dats tmobile best phone rite now it got windows media n u cud set ya songs as ringers, u cud do everything on dis phone 4real I love my dash n I like my sk3 a lil I just love phones so imma get dis 1 2 just 2c wats up wit it
Well u know wat da sk3 camera is trash the mp3 is trash its online good 4 im n textin every1 need 2get the dash dats tmobile best phone rite now it got windows media n u cud set ya songs as ringers, u cud do everything on dis phone 4real I love my dash n I like my sk3 a lil I just love phones so imma get dis 1 2 just 2c wats up wit it but it sounds stupid NO CAMERA MP3, & BLUETOOTH wtf how lame
How LAME is that no camera or mp3.Why buy it? That WASTE of money.
it comes out on 4 25 07
Can U Post More Pics Of It LikE Open The Back Of It
Ill stick with my SK3 i like using my mp3 player and my camera. They dont suck! And Brandon. Why are you being such a little BRAT! You think your all cool cuz u have every sidekick well no 1 cares!
i like ilike!
ITS THE POOR PEOPLE VERSION OF THE SIDEKICK 3. I GUESS ITS GOOD FOR PEEPS QHO DONT WANT TO SPEND OR CANT AFFORD THE SK3.
OH! THE DASH IS WAAAAY HOT . IM GONNA GET UP ON THAT. F**K! MY SK3!!