T-Mobile Sidekick II Phone (T-Mobile)

by T-Mobile

Product Details

Product Manual [3.05mb PDF]

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Supplementary Guide [636kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 4.6 x 2.6 x 1.1 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00063DKVC
• Item model number: Sidekick II
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (196 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,194 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

It's here and it's better than ever. With a number of big improvements over the original Sidekick, the Sidekick II is a powerful mobile companion and tri-band world phone. Flip open the big color screen and shoot off unlimited e-mails on the better-than-ever QWERTY keyboard. Snap a photo with the new built-in camera and send it to your friends. Hop online and check your top Web picks. Or just pick up your Sidekick II and make a call. See it in action.

Design

The Sidekick II's email client supports up to three POP/IMAP accounts.

The integrated VGA camera supports 640x480 resolution. There's even a flash for nighttime shots.

AOL Instant Messenger comes installed on the handset.

View any HTML website and navigate with ease using the Sidekick II's scroll wheel.

The Sidekick II is designed to be easy to use in every way. The unique, 240 x 160 pixelss screen supports 65,000 colors and opens to reveal a full keyboard for all your text messaging, emailing and calendar updates. Many users complained about the original Sidekick's lack of buttons for quick access to basic functions. All that has been remedied in this new model. New dual purpose dedicated send/end and page up/down buttons make it easier to place calls and surf the Web. Previously, users had to go into the settings menu of the device to change the volume, but new dedicated external buttons make the process easier and more intuitive. What's more, there's now an external power button-- no more opening the display to turn the handset on. There's also a new external directional pad that can be accessed without opening the screen, a big plus for gaming applications. The Sidekick II retains the handy rocker switch on the right side of the device for quick menu navigation and selection.

The overall size of the Sidekick II is another big change. The unit is approximately 25 percent thinner than the previous version. Overall, it has been improved to provide a more comfortable feel when used as a phone. It's also been designed with an integrated camera for the first time. The camera, LED flash unit and self portrait mirror are located on the back of the Sidekick II.

The Sidekick II runs on the proprietary Hiptop OS, which is designed with a unique wheel-shaped menu for easy selection of applications and functions. The device is built with a total of 48 MB of internal memory.

Calling Features
The Sidekick II's phone book can hold up to a whopping 2000 contacts with multiple entries per contact. A call list remembers your most recent missed, received and dialed calls. The device also features a speakerphone for easy handsfree talking. Polyphonic ringtones with up to 16 chords are included and more ringtones can be downloaded from T-Mobile's t-zones service. Picture caller ID lets you assign a photo to specific callers. Similarly, a ringer ID lets you assign ringtones to callers. For those times you want to keep things discreet, there's a vibrate ringer mode.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The Sidekick II covers all your messaging needs with support for text messaging and multimedia messaging (MMS) with images, sounds and pictures. When used in combination with the phone's built-in camera, MMS opens up a whole new world of messaging fun. If instant messaging is your thing, you can use the Sidekick II's built-in AOL Instant Messenger application to chat with buddies anywhere. Yahoo Messenger is also available via T-Mobile's application download service (T-Mobile messaging charges apply for text and instant messaging, unlimited messaging included in Sidekick data plan). AutoText word completion, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

If you want email on the go, the Sidekick II has you covered there, as well. With Sidekick Unlimited service, you can get your own 6 MB e-mail account from T-Mobile or you can also set up as many as three other personal e-mail accounts to deliver e-mail directly to your Sidekick II's email application. Web browsing is also easy with the Sidekick II and the T-Mobile Sidekick Unlimited plan. View full web pages with the device's embedded browser and surf T-Mobile's t-zones service, which offers news headlines, weather updates, game and ringtone downloads, and more.

The Sidekick ships with a number of handy tools, including a calendar with up to 1000 event entries, an alarm that can be set to notify you of calendar events and a to-do list. These tools can be synchronized with Microsoft Outlook via the Sidekick II's USB data connection or wirelessly via the Sidekick II's Intellisync technology. Intellisync is a unique web-based application that runs on any PC with a web browser. It allows you to view and update your calendar and contacts information and then upload them to your Sidekick II wirelessly. You can even view all the photos on your Sidekick II in gallery format. All of your data is stored remotely, so if your Sidekick is ever lost or stolen (gasp!) your data is safe and accessible.

The Sidekick II allows you to send and receive virtual contact cards (vCards). vCards are a great way to easily save and share contact information with friends and colleagues. Lastly, if you need to find the keyhole after a night on the town, the Sidekick II has a mini LED flashlight.

Imaging and Entertainment
The Sidekick II has fun in its soul. Snap photos and share them with your friends via messaging or email, or via your online Intellisync gallery. The camera features a night mode for getting good shots in low-light situations.

One game, Rock and Rocket, ships with the Sidekick II, and more are available via the t-zones service.

Vital Statistics
The Sidekick II weighs 6.49 ounces and measures 5.12 x 2.60 x 0.87 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.5 hours of digital talk time, and up to 60 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Sidekick II handset, hands-free headset, carry case, AC adaptor, application CD.

Product Description

The latest phone features, like an integrated camera with built-in flash, plus the convenience of wireless e-mail. Improved keyboard makes it easy on your thumbs. Includes a free 6 MB e-mail account.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How did I live without this?, October 7, 2004

By 

Scott (Mountain View, US, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: T-Mobile Sidekick II Phone (T-Mobile) (Wireless Phone)

Okay, so if you're going to carry a phone that's bigger than a candy bar, why not be able to type on it? All the other phones I've seen out there like the Treo, are great if all you want to type is "yes" or "no", but I could never write a full email with one of those things. The keys are way too small and way too close to the edge of the device. With my SideKick, I can write long emails and carry on long IM conversations with no problems. People can't even tell I'm away from my desk. The keyboard is by far the best feature, but the applications are great too: Just start typing a name to look them up in the phone. Hold a number key for a couple of seconds to start speed dialing someone I call all the time. I get all my email on the device, work and personal (and yes, I can see the attachments that people send me). In Outlook, I have to open pictures to see them, the Sidekick shows them IN the email. The web browser has already helped me end about 1000 arguments by surfing to imdb or dictionary.com. I can browse Amazon when I'm at the store to find out the right price BEFORE I buy something. This is one of those devices that you wonder how you ever lived without!!!

46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SKII Addiction, November 15, 2004

By 

Anonymous (SF, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: T-Mobile Sidekick II Phone (T-Mobile) (Wireless Phone)

If you think you spend too much time surfing the internet now, with a Sidekick II in your hands you will become a bona fide addict! It's the ultimate `remote control' for the tech savvy multi-tasker.

Of course the SKII is a bit larger than I'd like it to be but then again, I no longer have to carry my PDA, cell phone and laptop everywhere I go! The SKII makes surfing the web easy, convenient and discreet. The clarity of the phone is good and I love the speakerphone function. The camera is decent - daytime pics come out the best! I'm loyal to Nokia's but the SKII isn't too far off par - it is quite user friendly (if you are proficient with cell phones and computers) and it keeps me busy with all the customizations (ring tones, general functionality, downloadable programs). And how can you resist a phone with a full QWERTY keyboard?! I can type a message at normal speeds and I don't have to press a number a zillion times to get the right letter nor do I have to deal with the auto-text that ends up inserting the wrong word.

However, T-Mobile service could be a little better... Granted, I do get more coverage and signal strength than Nextel (and T-Mobile does piggy-back off of the `new and improved' Cingular), sometimes my calls go directly to voicemail even though I have full bars (I'm in the SF Bay Area but travel to N. and S. Cali often). As for Customer Service, I was able to port my number sucessfully and I haven't had a problem so far with incoherent or rude representatives, but I do find that they are not very knowledgeable. If you have any questions about how to use your SKII or etc, I highly suggest you do a search on www.hiptop.com first. I get all my questions answered here. (i.e. The SKII doesn't support Java so if you were to check YahooMail on your SKII then you won't be able to reply to messages. This really bugged me because I bought the SKII thinking that I could respond to emails in my Yahoo account. So, I called TMO's CS and all they said was that the SKII didn't support Java and there was nothing I could do about it. What they didn't tell me is that Yahoo has a non-Java based website for mobile customers which does allow you to check and respond to Yahoo emails - perfect.)

Overall, I don't think I could ever go back to a regular ol' cell phone. I love being able to Google something or check the Yellow Pages (no more $$$ charges for 411!) without having to be at home or even wait to boot up my computer. And for the ultimate computer whiz... the SKII supports SSH and Telnet.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too many inaccuracies, April 19, 2005

By 

Scott Brown - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: T-Mobile Sidekick II Phone (T-Mobile) (Wireless Phone)

As a happy owner of a Sidekick 2 and T-Mobile customer I'm saddened by the many inaccuracies and outright falsehoods in most of the posted reviews.

The phone itself is no easier or harder to hack than any other. What can be hacked is the web interface, which is probably what happened to Paris Hilton. Make sure you use https://www.t-mobile.com to log in, and don't choose an easy password. Problem solved unless a really skilled hacker wants your info (you probably aren't that important), in which case the hacker will get it anyway.

You do not have to flip the screen to dial. When you start the phone program, there's a keypad icon on the far left. Scroll over to it, click it, and you can use the keypad to dial. This works checking your voicemail as well. It isn't as convienent as a standard phone, true, but it's a ton better than reported by some.

I've had my Sidekick 2 for about four months, and have dropped it at least a half dozen times from waist height, even onto conrete. The phone is still doing fine, despite some scratchees, which I'll get to later.

Internet browsing is slow, if you don't turn off pictures. Most, if not all, websites I go to can be navigated fine without pictures, and the screen isn't big enough to display most website images properly anyway. With pictures turned off I can load almost every website in under a minute. If I have full signal (4 bars) I can load most websites in under 15 seconds. Signal strength does matter.

There is no charge for an online photo album. It is included for free with the sidekick data package. Every photo you take is automatically uploaded for free. If for some reason you get any $9.95 setup charges or 29 cent upload charges, call customer service, they'll take care of it.

Ring tones sound great if you get the right ones. I have "American Idiot" by Green Day and the vocals and guitar come through nice and crisp. The included ringtones aren't particularly good, but that isn't a phone limitation.

Yahoo! Messenger is a free download, and works fine for me. I do get disconnected every hour and a half or so, but it reconnects immediately. I have had multiple conversations going on Yahoo! Messenger without problems.

If T-Mobile service in your area isn't good, switch to another provider. You can force your phone to pull signal from any GSM carrier in range. There are no roaming charges for voice calls or data calls on my plan, the 39.99 600 minute plan.

The camera is better than many cell phones, but it's still a cell phone camera. It's way better than either the LG5450 or Audiovox 8910, both of which I've owned. The flash is pretty bad, but so are all cameraphone flashes I've used. You can email pictures to any email address for free right from the phone's camera program, you certainly do not need to go to the T-Mobile website.

The phone isn't perfect, to be sure. The screen does stratch a bit too easilly. Mine has quite a few very minor scratches just from being in my pocket with loose change, and one big scratch from being in my pocket with my keys.

Voice quality isn't great either, but it's certainly clear enough for a conversation. Using the included hands free earbud helps a good bit, too.

I've had two service interuptions last longer than an hour. The second one lasted over a day, but T-mobile gave all Sidekick 2 customers a 20 dollar credit and a good number of free downloads.