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.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
The retail box is that same sturdy one we have come to love on T-Mobile with vibrant colors and helpful information.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
The Sidekick 4G rests in a colorful compartment just under the top cover.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
Inside the box you will find the necessary cables, pamphlets, and wired stereo headset.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
There are a few different pamphlets/guides in the top flap of the box.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
Here is the Sidekick 4G with keyboard revealed outside the retail box.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
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.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
Here are a couple other generations of Sidekick to see how this latest one stacks up.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
As you can see the keyboard on the new Sidekick 4G is very similar to the one on the last generation Sidekick LX 2009.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
The QWERTY keyboard is one of the best available and teens will be flying on it soon.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
The keys have great spacing and tactile feel.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
The Shift button in the lower left has T-Mobile pink.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
The buttons and controls on the right side include the menu, directional optical joystick and back button.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
The home and jump buttons are found on the left side.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
The back is white with a single speaker, camera, and pink hinge area.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
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.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
The hinge is solid and rotates in a slick manner.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
A basic 3 megapixel camera is on one end of the back.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
A speaker is found on the other side, adjacent to the finger area.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
A cover for the microUSB port and the camera capture button are found on the right.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
Remove the cover to sync and charge up the Sidekick 4G.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
The upper left side (in portrait orientation) houses the volume button and headset jack.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
The lower left side is where you will find the power button.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
The keyboard is really an excellent choice for hardware QWERTY fans.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
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.

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
Sidekick 4G image gallery thumbnail 1

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller
Sidekick 4G image gallery thumbnail 2

Published: April 18, 2011 -- 23:38 GMT (16:38 PDT)
Caption by: Matthew Miller

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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Hands-on with the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G

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