Hands-on with the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G

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    T-Mobile may have shut down the Sidekick service, but they are continuing to use the Sidekick name on a new line of Android device. The first device is the Sidekick 4G from Samsung and it actually is a pretty compelling device with features that rival the successful Samsung Galaxy S lineup.

    Check out all of my experiences with the Sidekick 4G on ZDNet Smartphones & Cell Phones, including a video walk through.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    The retail box is that same sturdy one we have come to love on T-Mobile with vibrant colors and helpful information.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    The Sidekick 4G rests in a colorful compartment just under the top cover.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    Inside the box you will find the necessary cables, pamphlets, and wired stereo headset.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    There are a few different pamphlets/guides in the top flap of the box.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    Here is the Sidekick 4G with keyboard revealed outside the retail box.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    The new Sidekick 4G has that awesome 5 row keyboard and looks a lot like the Sidekicks that fans have come to know and love.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    Here are a couple other generations of Sidekick to see how this latest one stacks up.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    As you can see the keyboard on the new Sidekick 4G is very similar to the one on the last generation Sidekick LX 2009.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    The QWERTY keyboard is one of the best available and teens will be flying on it soon.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    The keys have great spacing and tactile feel.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    The Shift button in the lower left has T-Mobile pink.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    The buttons and controls on the right side include the menu, directional optical joystick and back button.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    The home and jump buttons are found on the left side.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    The back is white with a single speaker, camera, and pink hinge area.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    T-Mobile and Samsung made a very slick hinge mechanism that may be as much fun to play with as the flip and rotate mechanism that my daughter loved on her older Sidekick devices.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    The hinge is solid and rotates in a slick manner.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    A basic 3 megapixel camera is on one end of the back.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    A speaker is found on the other side, adjacent to the finger area.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    A cover for the microUSB port and the camera capture button are found on the right.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    Remove the cover to sync and charge up the Sidekick 4G.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    The upper left side (in portrait orientation) houses the volume button and headset jack.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    The lower left side is where you will find the power button.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    The keyboard is really an excellent choice for hardware QWERTY fans.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    The optical joystick is a bit strange to get used to, but Sidekick owners who did everything with their thumbs may turn out to really like its capability.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    Sidekick 4G image gallery thumbnail 1

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    Sidekick 4G image gallery thumbnail 2

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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T-Mobile may have shut down the Sidekick service, but they are continuing to use the Sidekick name on a new line of Android device. The first device is the Sidekick 4G from Samsung and it actually is a pretty compelling device with features that rival the successful Samsung Galaxy S lineup.

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T-Mobile may have shut down the Sidekick service, but they are continuing to use the Sidekick name on a new line of Android device. The first device is the Sidekick 4G from Samsung and it actually is a pretty compelling device with features that rival the successful Samsung Galaxy S lineup.

Check out all of my experiences with the Sidekick 4G on ZDNet Smartphones & Cell Phones, including a video walk through.

Caption by: Matthew Miller

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