Sure, Danger’s servers are going away , however the Sidekick brand belongs to T-Mobile — and that exact part of the teenager-friendly smartphone ecosystem pioneer isn’t going anywhere. In fact, the carrier’s been saying for a pair months now that it’d be relaunching Sidekick on Android, but they’re making the device very official today with the disclosing of the Samsung-sourced Sidekick 4G. Though it lacks a swiveling display, T-Mobile is quick to notice that the telephone’s got a “pop-tilt” mechanism that are meant to still be pretty unique out there — and it’s the primary Sidekick with a touchscreen (3.5 inch WVGA, to be exact). The Android 2.2-based unit has a 1GHz Hummingbird processor, 3 megapixel primary cam, and a fine looking fierce-looking user interface (dare we are saying a tad Kin -like?) that comes loaded with a pair Samsung staples — Samsung Media Hub, notably — such as Qik video calling, DriveSmart texting-while-driving lockout functionality, and Sidekick Group Text and Cloud Text, which together form some manner of cross-platform messaging tool. Pricing and availability are somewhat murky at this point, but we will expect it “later this spring” to your selection of black or “pearl magenta.” Follow the break for the total press release.
New Sidekick 4G is a Lightning-Fast and elegant Communication Hub, Delivering Evolved Messaging and Entertainment at 4G Speeds
BELLEVUE, Wash., and DALLAS – March 15, 2011 – T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 cell phone provider within the U.S.,1 today unveiled the hot T-Mobile Sidekick® 4GTM by Samsung. The hot AndroidTM-powered smartphone pays tribute to its heritage with its stylish beauty and a killer keyboard while redefining messaging and upgrading to 4G speeds. One in all T-Mobile’s fastest smartphones running on America’s Largest 4G NetworkTM, the brand new Sidekick 4G is able to delivering theoretical peak download speeds of as much as 21 Mbps.
The T-Mobile Sidekick has long been known for its innovative and distinctive design, and the Sidekick 4G doesn’t disappoint. The three.5-inch display marks the primary Sidekick to add a bit screen and its sturdy “pop-tilt” hinge reveals the previously acclaimed, five-row QWERTY keyboard that has long been a Sidekick hallmark and the explanation behind its status as a very good messaging device.
The recent Sidekick 4G leverages its quality keyboard including Sidekick Group TextTM and Cloud TextTM to redefine messaging. Sidekick’s Group Text feature lets customers create, name, manage and perform reply-all group text conversations, enabling them to steer their network in conversation and social planning. Group Text breathes new life into one of the crucial popular varieties of messaging allowing Sidekick 4G customers to initiate and share the advantage of the appliance with SMS-capable devices from flip phones to smartphones. Further, Cloud Text provides the choice to text with friends or groups across platforms, whether from the relief in their PC’s large screen and keyboard, or from their new Sidekick 4G.
“Backed by the speedier speeds on T-Mobile’s 4G network, the hot Sidekick 4G offers customers both speed and elegance,” said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice chairman, product management, T-Mobile USA. “We’ve reinvented the messaging experience that made the Sidekick such an iconic device, and supercharged it with communication and entertainment experiences that take full benefit of our 4G network.”
Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Mobile, said, “We’re proud that T-Mobile selected Samsung to assist create the following-generation Sidekick and carry the enduring Sidekick brand and device to a better level. Samsung redesigned the hot Sidekick 4G with our greatest-in-class hardware, combined with T-Mobile’s 4G network speeds, the Android operating system, and unique messaging and entertainment features, to make this an excellent match for both loyal Sidekick fans and new Sidekick owners.”
The brand new Sidekick 4G also comes preloaded with Facebook® and TwitterTM applications, and offers easy interaction with customers’ social networks by letting them update their status from the notification pane and skim their feeds from the house screen. They’ve got the power to sync their social network contacts to the telephone’s address book, which permits them to post to their friends’ walls or touch upon their status. And multitasking is less complicated than ever with the Sidekick 4G’s jump key, a straightforward-to-access physical button that permits customers to quickly switch between active applications, even during a phone call, or assign keyboard shortcuts to their favorite functions or applications.
Along with a communication hub, the hot Sidekick 4G is now an entertainment hub. With speeds as fast as home broadband, enjoying a favourite TV show or surfing the net at the go is a breeze. Sidekick’s Media Room features one place to enjoy music, videos, movies, YouTube®, T-Mobile TV® and Slacker Radio, and to look for content whatever the source. The integrated media player, also accessible throughout the Media Room, spans across all media including music, video and Internet radio. Customers even have the choice to hire or purchase their favorite movies and television programs directly from the Samsung Media Hub, which offers a powerful choice of movie and next-day TV show titles from CBS, Fox, MTV Networks, NBC Universal, Paramount and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. Customers now have the ability to put Media Hub charges on to their monthly T-Mobile service bill.
Complementing the messaging communication features, the recent Sidekick 4G is provided with a VGA front-facing camera and pre-installed T-Mobile Video Chat powered by QikTM, to make sure you are always present along with your social circle. Powered by Android 2.2 (Froyo) and a speedy 1 GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird processor, so consumers can stay alongside of their favorite blogs while at the move, look for the must-try dinner spots and map how you can their next destination – all at blazing fast speeds. The hot smartphone can even offer dynamic media features and integrated GoogleTM services, including GmailTM, Google MapsTM and access to thousands of applications on Android MarketTM.
The hot Sidekick 4G also comes equipped with DriveSmartTM from T-Mobile, a primary-of-its kind service from a U.S. carrier, that helps prevent distracted driving. When initiated, DriveSmart Basic provides automatic incoming call and message management, sending a customizable note to callers and senders, allowing them to know that the recipient is driving and may respond when it’s safe. DriveSmart Plus offers an identical functionality, with the added capability to automatically activate when the handset is in a moving vehicle, in addition to advanced parental controls for enhanced peace of mind when teen drivers are behind the wheel.
Offered exclusively to T-Mobile customers, the brand new T-Mobile Sidekick 4G is anticipated to be available later this spring in two stylish colors – matte black or pearl magenta. Customers can visit http://sidekick.t-mobile.com/ for more info.
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