Hurray, Sidekick Owners, You Can Get Your Contacts Back Now

In today's edition of the "steady progress" being made in recovering the data lost in the Great Sidekick Out(r)age of 2009, contacts—and just contacts—are back, after you run a retrieval tool. The rest's coming! Eventually? [Yahoo]

Microsoft "Making Steady Progress" On Sidekick Data Recovery

Last week it seemed the Danger/Microsoft team was on the verge of sorting out the fiasco that saw widespread data loss for Sidekick customers. Unfortunately, completing this process is taking longer than expected: More »

The Inevitable Sidekick Data Loss Lawsuit

BTW, a sidekick user has started a class action lawsuit against T-mobile over Microsoft/Danger's loss of all Hiptop personal data. I wonder what will happen now that Microsoft is promising most if not all data will be restored. [Inquirer]

The Cause of the Great Sidekick Fiasco? “All Signs Point to Sabotage”

This past week's Sidekick data disaster was so extraordinary, you would think that either T-mobile or Microsoft would issue an explanation. There's one insider who might have the reason why one hasn't come yet: it was an inside job. More »

Sidekick Data Fiasco: Some Users' Contacts Returned

I wouldn't get too excited yet, but this could be promising news. A few users over at the T-Mobile forums have reported that their lost address book contacts have come back. Here's what they had to say: More »

The Great Sidekick Data Outage of 2009: T-Mobile Offers $100 in Apology Money

T-Mobile sent out an update regarding the first great tragedy of the 21st century (involving Sidekicks): They're still holding out hope for data recovery, but if they can't, they'll show how sorry they are with a $100 credit. More »

T-Mobile Lets Furious Sidekick Users Ditch Their Contracts for Free

T-Mobile's initial apologia to Sidekick users grieving their lost data was a joke. A month of free data service? To access what? Now they've manned up, giving affected customers something they might actually want: A way out of their contracts. More »

How Screwed Up Is Microsoft Pink? Hint: It's Named After Pink the Singer

Another alleged insider has starting spilling—flinging?—beans about Microsoft's Pink project, enthusiastically piling the hate atop earlier claims that the project was under dire threat of cancellation, for sucking. This time, the rumors come via AppleInsider, and they get personal: More »

Danger For Microsoft's Project Pink?

A anonymous source told MobileCrunch that Microsoft's Pink phone project might be in trouble. More »

The Great T-Mobile Sidekick Data Outage of 2009 Could End Monday, Maybe

Apparently, every T-Mobile Sidekick user from sea to shining sea has been without data access on their mobiles this weekend. Unfortunately, word on the wire is access should have returned yesterday (but it didn't). More »

Turtle and Pure Pink Phones May Be Just Next-Gen Sidekicks

Cnet's Ina Fried says the Microsoft Pink phones leaked yesterday are "more the evolution of the Sidekick" using Windows Mobile as the core OS, and in addition to Microsoft's main phone push. What's interesting is the reason Microsoft bought Danger. More »

T-Mobile Sidekick Gets Facebook and Twitter Apps

The Sidekick Download Catalog has a couple of new additions today for owners of the Sidekick 2008, Sidekick LX (including Tony Hawk Edition) and Sidekick Slide. Interestingly, the Facebook app is free while the Twitter app is $2 per month. More »

Sidekick Sync Pushes Email for $5/Month

We're not huge fans of additional subscription costs, but if you have a Sidekick LX '09, then you can now pay for real time push email. More »

Blockquote: Technology Doesn't Make Love Easier

The realness of FMLife quotes are still debatable on a case by case basis, but this one is pretty amusing. More »

T-Mobile's April 21 Event Is for the Sidekick LX, Not Android

A few of us were hoping that the upcoming April 21 T-Mobile event might be for a new Android handset, a sequel to the G1. Instead, it's just a launch party for the new Sidekick LX. But hey, we like getting awkwardly drunk at corporate sponsored social events as much as the next guy.

Sidekick LX 2009 Info Coming Tomorrow?

According to an "leaked" T-Mobile Memo, we should "Get Ready for the New Sidekick LX" and "Additional information regarding launch dates, pricing and availablility [sic] will be available on the Retail Communication Home Page on April 17." We'll keep an eye out for the Sidekick lovers in the audience. [Hiptop3 via BGR]

April 21 T-Mobile Event Might Not Be for Android G2 After All

T-Mobile's got a joint press conference with RIM scheduled in London at the exact same time as the April 21 event we're hoping to see the G2 at. More »

3G Sidekick PV300 Earns FCC Approval

According to an FCC filing, we should see the legendary 3G Sidekick popping up sometime soon. The new device from Sharp supports the 1700MHz spectrum...the same band used by T-Mobile 3G. The GSM handset also supports Bluetooth, but other than the FCC, there's been no official confirmation that the 3G Sidekick exists yet. [FCC via Phone Scoop]

T-Mobile Summer Roadmap Details HTC Touch Pro 2, 'Blade' Sidekick Release Dates

Tipster Noah from Phonedog has directed us to a tentative list of release dates for several anticipated T-Mobile phones, including the "Blade" Sidekick (May 13) and HTC Touch Pro 2 (July 22). More »

Sidekick 2009 Is the Sidekick Blade?

This shot from Hiptop3 supposedly shows the Sidekick 2009, which has the rumored codename of Sidekick Blade. More »

T-Mobile Blocks Stolen Cellphone Tracking Despite Victim, Cops' OK

T-Mobile is refusing to track stolen cellphones despite having the permission of both Boston police AND the victim whose phone was stolen, citing "privacy restrictions." More »

CNBC: Zune Phone Is Real, Codenamed "Pink"

One of those rumors that won't ever die—the Zune phone—is now being touted by a reputable, legitimate news organization, CNBC. Jim Goldman (the guy that interviews Steve Jobs on CNBC after every Apple event) says that according a "good source," Microsoft is "ready to give a major facelift to the company's Zune music player that could mean its evolution into a new smart phone from the company." The project is codenamed Pink and "will combine the company's Zune and technology from Microsoft's purchase of Danger Inc." Update: If this rings a bell, it's because others have, in the past, referred to Microsoft's mysterious consumer smartphone initiative as "Pink" or "Purple and Pink" More »

The Sidekick iD Is Back! It's Back Everyone, It's Back!

We don't necessarily recommend the purchase, but T-Mobile has brought back the discontinued Sidekick iD for $50 online with a 2-year contract. Keep in mind that for $100 more, you can score a Sidekick 2008 that packs a camera and Bluetooth into a smaller package. Then again, $100 is $100. And last time we checked, that can buy you 100 double cheeseburgers or, like, 2/3 of a Sidekick 2008. [T-Mobile via gadgetell]

T-Mobile's App Program Will Not Include Android, Sidekick at Launch

Last month mocoNews revealed that T-Mobile was gearing up to launch an open app development program that would be similar to the one created by Apple. Initially, the plan was to have Android and the Sidekick on board, but since then the plans appear to have changed. MocoNews now reports that T-Mobile reps have informed them that the program will focus initially on basic programs. No Android, no Sidekick, no API access and free apps will not be allowed to feature advertising to help with costs. More »

Samsung R450 Messager Phone Has Sidekick-Like Keypad, Awkward Neologism

Samsung's new SCH-R450 cellphone is all very nice I'm sure: with a horizontal-slider QWERTY keyboard, 1.3-megapixel cam, 2.1-inch TFT, advanced voice recognition, Bluetooth, MP3 player, microSD slot... it's got the standard lot. But where Samsung has really succeeded here is in its name: "messager" doesn't exist. Yes, there are messengers who deliver messages, and even AOL calls its service "Instant Messenger." But messager, no. Come on Samsung, if you're trying to compete with the Sidekick you need a better name for this gizmo. Should've called it the Samsung Massager... it would have sold like hot cakes. Press release below. More »

Hi-Tech Shoes For Ladies Have Heel Height Extenders

Thankfully just a concept for now, the Goodie 2 Shoe is an idea in function, and definitely not in form. They're ugly, sure, but they have a neat trick: the heel is adjustable with magnets and hidden hinges, so a 1.5-inch heel suitable for work gets extended to a come-hither 3.5-inch for going out. Other parts can be customized, much like the latest Sidekick. Personally, we'd be confused if we saw an attractive lady in these shoes. It shows she's got a geek's mind, but also a geek's taste, which is not always what we're looking for. Still, we hope these appear on Lady Robocop in the 2010 remake. [Crave]

Sidekick 2008/ Gekko Already Available on Craigslist

It won't make its official debut until July 30th, but if you just can't wait another 12 days to get your hands on one, it can be had right now on Craigslist. Why anyone would spend a premium amount of cash on a used test unit with the release less than two weeks away is beyond me, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone took the bait. [Craigslist via HipTop3 via BGR]

Sidekick 2008/Gekko Coming July 30th

Boy Genius has word that T-Mobile's Sidekick 2008 is coming out on July 30th. The phone has Sidekick like features, and a 2.6-inch WQVGA screen, A2DP stereo Bluetooth streaming and those interchangeable faceplates we've been hearing about. The phone's OS should feel appropriately aged but at the right price, as the Sidekick's always been a crowd-pleaser. I'm just not sure if that crowd is this crowd. [Boy Genius]

Sidekick 2008 Images Appear, Bigger And Clearer

Some more images have popped up at Hiptop3 of the forthcoming Sidekick Gekko aka 2008 from T-Mobile, and they're the best we've seen to date. This is a slender looking hiptop witch will launch with a multitude of skins, making it the most customizable Sidekick to date. And really, with a feature like that, you'd think the code name would be "chameleon", but what do we know? [Hiptop3]

Sidekick Gekko Is Now Sidekick 2008

The Sidekick that had been known as Gekko shall henceforth be called Sidekick 2008. Yes, it may be the first time since the year 2000 that we're sticking the date in a product name, but it's a trend we've so missed. Other than that, we just have a few more blurry-and-therefore-trustworthy leaked shots of the device for your perusal. The front's not bad, but the back is mighty colorful: More »

Helio, Sidekick UI Designer Working On New Palm OS

This is some pretty exciting news for us Palm fans who've been waiting (and waiting and waiting) for something new from the handset maker. It turns out Palm has hired Matias Duarte to design the UI for the next Palm OS. You probably haven't heard of him, but he's the guy behind the impressive interfaces for the Sidekicks and Helio's phones. The idea of giving this guy a large install base and a touchscreen to play with is a good one. Palm's got an uphill battle to take on the iPhone, but this could be how they do it. [Engadget]

Sidekick LX OTA Getting Updated Starting June 25

The promised update for Sidekick LX is going to start rolling out over the air come June 25, adding video capture, video sharing, IM enhancements and various other upgrades. You might not get updated until a few days after June 25, however. Hit the jump for the full listing courtesy of Boy Genius. [Boy Genius Report via HipTop 3] More »