Quantcast

Sidekick's Worthy Update

PDA/cell phone hybrid does most things right.

Grace Aquino

  • 0 Yes
  • 0 No

Click to view full-size image.

Photograph: Rick Rizner
The first Sidekick revolutionized mobile Web access by offering users a decent-size screen, a usable keyboard, and solid applications. Two years later (an eternity in tech time), the Sidekick II is finally here. Fans of the original, trailblazing model will find much to like, but critics of that device probably won't be swayed by its evolutionary successor.

Offered by cellular provider T-Mobile and co-developed by Danger and Sharp, the $300 Sidekick II addresses many user complaints about the first device, notably the fact that it was a lousy cell phone.

The Sidekick II is a much improved phone, offering voice quality comparable to that of most dedicated cell phones (although its flat form did feel awkward against my ear). But dialing numbers manually remains a clumsy endeavor.

Exhibiting a more refined-looking design than its predecessor, the unit combines a comfortable keyboard with numerous user-programmable buttons. The built-in 640-by-480-pixel camera includes a flash and is perfect for fun, throwaway shots, but not for photo-album keepers.

The Sidekick II excels at instant messaging and e-mail, providing easy access to AOL, IMAP, and POP3 e-mail, plus AOL Instant Messenger and Yahoo Messenger.

But Danger didn't address all of the original model's failings. There's still no way to connect the unit to a PC physically, although T-Mobile now offers an optional service that permits you to sync Outlook or Exchange contacts, appointments, and to-do items, using its network. As before, you can't sync to Outlook or Lotus Notes e-mail. And the device still lacks a memory card slot, Bluetooth, or infrared port.

The Sidekick II does most things right, though, and it's a pleasure to use. If you're the type who needs to be connected all the time, this may be the handheld for you.

T-Mobile Sidekick II
Rated 3.5 stars

Simple, fun, and affordable Web-enabled handheld still lacks a few features you'd expect from a PDA/cell phone hybrid.
List: $300 (plus a monthly T-Mobile service fee)
Current price (if available)

  • Recommend this story?
  • 0 Yes
    0 No

Print 65% more pages than with refilled inks. Trust Original HP Inks. Hit Print Reliably.

Featured APC Accessories For Your System
10% Off Entire Cart at Online Store

  • APC Back-UPS ES Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
  • APC SurgeArrest Performance Highest level of protection for your professional computers, electronics and connected devices, as well as provides surge protection.

People who read this also read:

  • 2007 Microsoft Office Suites Comparison This paper compares and contrasts four suites of the 2007 Microsoft Office system: Microsoft Office Standard 2007, Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007, Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007 and Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007. This paper is intended to help organizations understand the applications and capabilities offered, and to identify the suite that best fits their needs.
  • Windows Vista Migration: The Business Proposition It's not so much a matter of "if" but "when" for most organizations regarding migration to Windows Vista. Laying the groundwork now for this migration can yield higher ROI than waiting until later. This Computerworld Technology Briefing explains it all.

PC World's Marketplace