Android Phone Tips
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| Android Phone Tips |
T-Mobile shut down the Sidekick service not too long ago, but not to worry, the carrier is bringing back Sidekick devices, all running on Android. It features Android 2.2 Froyo, a 1GHz processor, a 3.5 inch touch display, a 3 megapixel camera, and of course, a full QWERTY keyboard. Staying in line with most previous Sidekick basics, the Android version remains focused on the younger, message-happy crowd. Miller notes the software on the Sidekick as well, which includes Group Texting and Cloud Text, both befitting of this new device.
While Samsung and Sony alter their devices to better fit with current Android trends, CNN has pushed an important update as well. Features of the new app include international content, CNN radio, iReports, social sharing and custom options for saved stories. T-Mobile decided shut down the Sidekick service, but announced they would still have Sidekick branded models that ran the Android OS. The first in this new line is the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G from Samsung.
After using the device for the last several days I have to say I am highly impressed with this new Sidekick and am confident that it will serve as a great device for those Sidekick fans who were worried about the end of the Hiptop devices. You can check out several images of the new device, including comparison shots with older Sidekick models in my image gallery.
My oldest daughter was a huge Sidekick fan and those are her older Sidekicks you see in my image gallery. The Sidekick LX 2009 was actually an excellent piece of hardware with a beautiful display, but some of the older Sidekick models felt a bit cheap. The device is all plastic, but it doesn’t feel cheap.
Specifications for the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G include the following:
- Android 2.2 Froyo software
- 1 GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor
- Quad band GSM (850/900/1800/1900) and dual band UMTS/HSPA+ (1700/2100)
- 3.5 inch WVGA (480×800) capacitive touch display
- 576 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM
- microSD card slot with included 2GB card
- Dedicated buttons around the display for Back, Start, and Search areas
- Full 5 row QWERTY keyboard
- 3 megapixel camera with video capture capability
- Integrated GPS receiver
- Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n)
- Bluetooth 2.1
- 3.5 mm headset jack
- 1500 mAh battery
- Dimensions: 4.61 x 2.32 x 0.61 inches and 6.49 ounces
The T-Mobile Sidekick 4G has specifications on par with other Samsung Android devices, like the Galaxy S line, and unlike Sidekick models in the past that always had fairly basic specifications you shouldn’t be wanting with this device. When you first hold the Sidekick 4G, it seems like a fairly typical Samsung Android device with lots of buttons.
You will find five different hardware buttons/controls on the front surrounding the display. Rotate the device into landscape orientation and starting from the top right you will find buttons for the Menu, optical joystick with action button, Back, Jump, and Home. The 3.5mm headset jack, volume buttons, and power button are on the left side.
The real magic of this device is the 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. I am thinking about a device just because of the great keyboard.
The Sidekick 4G is a Samsung Android 2.2 device with a customized user interface that mirrors some of the Sidekick experience. T-Mobile also provides the device with the DriveSmart system. Other apps and utilities included on the device are:
- Allshare (DLNA Samsung utility)
- Amazon MP3
- Files
- Highlight
- Samsung Media Hub (Integrates YouTube, T-Mobile TV, Slacker)
- Samsung Media Room
- Slacker Radio
- Mini Diary
- T-Mobile TV
- TeleNav GPS Navigator
- Theme Changer
- ThinkFree Office (Full creation and editing Office suite)
- Qik video chat
- WiFi Calling
The Sidekick 4G is coming soon, but we do not yet have an official launch price of the device. This new Sidekick should ease the worries of Sidekick fans who thought the brand was going to die out with the LX 2009.
The hardware closely matches and improves on the last Sidekick models while giving consumers the full Android experience. Samsung makes solid Android devices and this device even had me thinking about picking one up with the excellent keyboard, 4G support, and messaging optimizations.
By. Android Phone Tips
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