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 Gadget: The Sidekick LX, a slightly larger and feature-heavy Sidekick with 3.2-megapixel camera, a larger battery, 3G, GPS, larger screen, and the same rotating screen with chiclet keyboard underneath.
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]
This shot from Hiptop3 supposedly shows the Sidekick 2009, which has the rumoured codename of Sidekick Blade.
This comes with a big rumour tag, but a Hiptop3 reader claims that she spotted details on a 3G / GPS enabled Sidekick LX while doing a smartphone survey on Quizpoints.
T-Mobile is refusing to track stolen mobile phones despite having the permission of both Boston police AND the victim whose phone was stolen, citing “privacy restrictions.”
This news isn’t official yet (and we all know what to make of rumours), but we’ve received word (in the form of a leaked memo to Telstra dealers) that Telstra will be phasing out the HipTop Slide around the end of November in anticipation for a late 2008/January 2009 launch of the Hiptop LX.
The new Hiptop model will be available in two colours: Blue and Brown, plus a limited edition Tony Hawk design.
The target is to have the LX in time for Christmas to maximise sales, which they’ll be doing by offering a selection of revamped plans tailored for the LX (although exactly what they will be is a mystery).
It makes sense for Telstra to launch the new HipTop just before Christmas, and also that it’s an exclusive Telstra arrangement. Even though technically this is still a rumour, if you are thinking of picking up a new Hiptop in the next month or so, we’d suggest you hold off just a little bit longer for the chance to get the most recent model…
Soulja Boy claims that he has the only Xbox 360 Sidekick LX in the world, something that we believe him on, seeing as Danger is a huge fan of doing limited runs of designer Sidekicks for special people. Does it mean that Soulja Boy will have the only Xbox 360 Sidekick LX forever? Tough to say, but we’re hoping there’s some kind of tie-in seeing as Microsoft and Danger are more than just BFF. In the meantime, head over to Gamertagradio to see him fiddle around with it on video while mumbling incoherently. [Gamertagradio via Engadgetmobile]
The Gadget: The Sidekick 2008, which follows up the Sidekick LX and Sidekick Slide as a “main” unit (read: not low-end like the iD) in the Sidekick series. It’s got improved features like a 2.0-megapixel camera, 2.6-inch display (400×240), video recording/playback, stereo Bluetooth, custom “shells” and most importantly, a smaller body.
In a giant memo to Microsoft employees laying out strategy and changes for the next fiscal year, Steve Ballmer spends a paragraph comparing their way of doing things (choice) versus Apple (end-to-end). Unexceptional, except he says that
