Sidekick
”Sidekick LX Getting Video Recording and Playback, Maybe YouTube Action
Here's a snagged screen pointing to video recording and playback coming to the Sidekick LX in a future update. Nothing definitive on which codecs will be supported, but possibly H.264, which YouTube encodes videos in for Apple, meaning you might be able to watch YouTube videos. Or it could be a different one, and there's no word on whether there'll be a dedicated YouTube app. Regardless, video capabilities of some kind seem to be in the pipe. [Hiptop3]Rumor: Next-Gen Sidekick Prototype Details
In a Q&A with the Sidekick maker Danger's CEO, Financial Times asks him about what he's got in his pocket. Surprisingly, Hank Nothaft tells.
A prototype of the next Sidekick (mobile-cum-internet device). It's thinner and less wide but has a bigger keyboard. Now I no longer keep it on a belt, I'm always losing it. I was known as the "absent-minded professor" as a student.
Bigger keyboard, thinner and less wide? Sounds like a winner to us. If you're really a Sidekick fanboy, head over to FT for the rest of the interview. There isn't a whole lot of pertinent Sidekick detail, but you can get some insight into their leader. [FT - Thanks tipster!]
Update: Is this the Sidekick 4, code-named Gekko or Aspen? TmoNews has more details.
Sidekick 4 Coming in July?
It's been a while since we first heard rumors about a the Sidekick 4, but TmoNews has a scoop on two devices headed to retail in July that could fit the bill. The first is code named "SK Gekko" and will be released on July 27; the second is the "Sidekick Aspen" on July 30. No details other than the code names, so we're left in the dark as to what they look like, who they're made by and if Microsoft has had any influence in development. [TmoNews]It's Official: Microsoft Has Acquired Danger
It looks like Microsoft's acquisition of Sidekick-maker Danger is complete and official. Whether or not this is good news or bad news for fans of the Sidekick has yet to be seen, but we'll try to stay positive and keep an open mind. Hit the jump for the full press release. More »Fire Red Sidekick Slide Coming May, Juneish
learning
Pocket Spelling Bee Looks Suspiciously Familiar
Franklin's new Pocket Spelling Bee was unveiled at the NYC Toy Fair this week and despite its more than passing resemblance to the Sony Mylo, it appears to be a solid educational toy. The device allows kids to compete against one another or the computer in a spelling showdown for supremacy. More »How Much Did Microsoft Shell Out for Sidekick Maker Danger?
$500 million. Says Om Malik, who's about as reliable as they come. A lot for the assimilation, but nothing compared to what they're throwing at Yahoo. [GigaOM]
cellphones
Microsoft Absorbs Sidekick Maker Danger Inc.
Out of left field, Microsoft has bought Danger Inc.—best known as the Hiptop/Sidekick's daddy—for an undisclosed hunk of cash. Fear not, Sidekick fans, it'll be business as usual on that front. But this pretty much confirms that Microsoft's new growth strategy in areas it's obsessed with but weak in is simple, ill-fitted assimilation. Obviously, the goal is to grab Danger's mobile expertise, but I'm not really seeing the mesh here. Well, two words, maybe: Zune Phone. The full, official details below. More »
cellphones
Sidekick Slide Back on T-Mobile, Hopefully Without Battery Contact Problem
The Sidekick Slide was pulled off the T-Mo product line last month due to faulty battery contacts, which forced the phone to power off by itself when opened one too many times. The DIY fix was to stick some business cards or loose paper into the battery compartment to make sure the contacts never de-contact, but we're sure Motorola has some fancier solutions (premium business cards, perhaps). In any case, you can buy one again for $199 after discounts and rebates. We still wonder how they got Michelle Yeoh to pose for that product shot. [T-Mobile via Electronista]
sidekick slide
Motorola Fixing Sidekick Slide, Hope to Have it in Stores Next Week (UPDATED, With Official T-Mobile Statement)
As suspected, Motorola has identified an issue with the battery contacts as the source of the problem on the Sidekick Slide and are currently testing an updated model. T-Mobile and Motorola hope to have the Slide back in stores next week. More »Nokia Sniffing Around Sidekick Territory with New Patent Application
Sneaking a peek at a patent application by Nokia shows the company slipping into me-too territory, doodling an application to the U.S Patent Office that looks surprisingly like a T-Mobile Sidekick. Supposedly sidestepping any danger of patent infringement is one notable difference: an odd crank-like device on the side that must be turned to open up the screen, with a half-turn revealing the QWERTY keyboard nestled underneath. Too much like a sidekick to be a separate patent? Nokia knows what it's doing, but this could still end up more as a court decision than an actual product. [Unwired View] Breaking: T-Mobile Pulling Sidekick Slide From Product Line
sidekick slide






