T-Mobile Sidekick 4G picks up Android, slides open like a normal phone
T-Mobile released several iterations of their popular messaging phone, the Sidekick, between 2002 and 2006. The device was the phone to have, especially for teens, and the Sidekick name gained a respectable following. However, when the iPhone was released in 2007, many soon forgot this messaging phone in the ensuing iPhone fever.
T-Mobile is now bringing the Sidekick back, presumably hoping to capitalize on what is left of the brand name.
The new device, made by Samsung and dubbed the Sidekick 4G, brings a significant hardware upgrade to the brand. The device will ship with a 3.5-inch capacative screen (resolution unannounced), a Hummingbird processor, HSPA+ capabilities, a front facing camera, and the keyboard many Sidekick users know and love. The phone now ships with a custom version of Android 2.2 instead of the previous proprietary OS. T-Mobile also includes "Group Text" and "Cloud Text" applications, while Samsung includes their MediaHub and DriveSmart apps.
Overall, the Sidekick 4G looks like a solid offering for those looking for a device on T-Mobile. It will certainly please the Sidekick fanbase, and may even result in some converts from other devices too.
[Android Central]
