T-Mobile Sidekick 2008 wins award for lamest handset name ever
By Triston McIntyre
It’s like T-Mobile is in a competition against itself to take home the gold for distributor of the most mediocre handsets on the planet. As if the device itself wasn’t already a mutt handset built with outdated technology, the catchy name “Sidekick 2008″ should really move some units, eh?
TBGR (The Boy Genius Report) landed some information and pictures about the newest member to the Sidekick family, and for some reason or another felt obligated to share its boringness with the world. I don’t fault them, though — I fault T-Mobile for continuously distributing a crappy device that is so far behind the times consistently that it should be permanently shelved along with square televisions.
If you’re wondering why I’m so disgusted with yet another Sidekick ( a Sidekick that isn’t even OUT, mind you), take a look at the “selling points”:
- Quad-band GSM/EDGE
- 2 Megapixel camera
- 2.6″ WQVGA display
- video recording
- Stereo A2DP Bluetooth
- Customizable shells
Wait wait! Stop right there! You’re telling me this thing has video? Sweet! That 2-megapixel camera sure is pushing the industry standards, and EDGE data is faster than a jackrabbit on speed.
Perhaps the worst part about this device, which might have been an acceptable addition to the T-Mobile lineup in 2003, is the name and the main feature. The fact that you named a handset after a specific year tells me you’ve all gone bonkers, fired your marketing team, and are dizzy-bat racing around your office. Second, you should know that someone needs to be sacked when the main selling point of your device is customizable skins!
Here are T-Mobile’s own words on this exciting new customizability:
The Sidekick 2008 has taken customization to the next level. Not only do customers get two shells in the box when they buy a device (a black one on the device and an extra metallic green one in the box), but customers can purchase 11 pre-fabricated shells in store or customize their shells online at Sidekick.com/shells.
The sad thing is that T-Mobile had to use an entire paragraph to describe the skins for a device, mainly because that’s the coolest thing about it. Here’s more:
On July 30, 2008, T-Mobile is launching a brand new Sidekick aimed at the young market and social consumer who is looking to customize his or her handset to show off a unique style while connecting with friends in every possible way.
When you say “in every possible way”, you obviously mean in ways that don’t require a decent data network, camera, or social tools. I hate to burst your bubble, but AOL Instant Messenger and MySpace aren’t exactly what you’d consider to be cutting edge social networks.
This is just another example of T-Mobile getting handsets completely wrong. The first Sidekick, even in its rather horrid shape, was the best Sidekick to date, simply because it was different and unique. Now the Sidekick is an overpriced texting device, built with outdated technology, and filling up yet another space on the T-Mobile roster that could be filled with a unique and exciting handset.
For some time, when I’ve seen a Sidekick, I have felt compelled to ask users what it is they like about the Sidekick. If texting is your thing, you’d be much happier with the T-Mobile Dash (which is outdated, but certainly a step up). If you’re a fan of mobile video and pictures, why not spring for a T-Mobile Motorola RIZR? It costs $29.99. If you’re all about staying socially connected, get a Dash, a Blackberry, or a Wing — all of which offer much more social functionality through data then you’ll get with the latest and greatest Sidekick.
Do T-Mobile customers everywhere a favor and drop this horrendous device that’s hanging on to outdated technology like an 80’s fan refusing to give up leggings. The world will be a better place when you put this clunky piece of trash to rest.
Related:
Entry was posted
on Thursday, July 17th, 2008 at 3:54 am
under
Read more entries by Triston McIntyre.
Stumble It!
July 17th, 2008
Well Buddy the dash is slow, the glide is old…. I have been with every service provider, and tmobile is the best, verizon, sprint and atnt have ehorrible customer service and they charge you for things you did not do.
July 17th, 2008
Well Buddy the dash is slow, the glide is old…. I have been with every service provider, and tmobile is the best, verizon, sprint and atnt have ehorrible customer service and they charge you for things you did not do.
July 17th, 2008
people buy the sidekick because of the SIDEKICK DATA PLAN.
Unlimited TXT/PIX msg
Unlimited Internet
Unlimited Email
for $19.99.
July 17th, 2008
T-Mobile has done it again! While other carriers are rolling out slick, touch-screen, or 3G enabled units, T-Mobile is hedging its bets on a Wing, Dash, and the clunkiest one of all, the Sidekick. Doesn’t T-Mobile get it? The celebrity spokespeople, the customizations, and all the other fluff over which their resources are drained, do not good phones make. And don’t get me started on the iPhone fiasco…every country on earth but the United States can purchase a T-Mobile-enabled iPhone.
July 17th, 2008
lonzie — yes, I’m quite aware that all of the phones I mention there suck horribly. That’s my entire point. However, they’re still a step up from any iteration of the Sidekick. I would know..I’ve had them all at some point or another, hoping one of them would be decent
July 17th, 2008
Tristen,
The part you fail to realize, hence why you write and don’t market/design for cell phone companies, is that the sidekick has been a huge success for TMO and its customers. Granted the name sucks, but my guess is that TMO will sell many of these devices like the have the previous iterations of the sidekick. You asked why not the Dash for texting? Why not the RIZR for Vidoe, why not a RIM device or the wing for teh social aspect and the answer is obvious. The Sidekick, while not a leader in any specific areana does all of these things.
July 17th, 2008
T-Mobile’s announcement of Sidekick 2008 is kind of like that Simpsons episode where Lisa’s “Lisa Lionhearted” goes up against “Malibu Stacy with new hat” and loses, except that T-Mobile will ultimately, until it produces some more competitive handsets, be the loser.
July 18th, 2008
Triston appears to be a rant-whore; I sometimes (unfortunately) stumble upon his rants while searching Google news. I personally don’t like Sidekicks, but I know lots of people that absolutely love them. Apparently the SideKicks do many things “well enough”, unlike my iPhone that does only two things very well.
July 23rd, 2008
I said this at boy benious and I’ll say it again, people aren’t understanding this concept. You’re not gonna find every business man toting around a sidekick but you will kind every teenage and sorority girl flip’n this thing out every 5 seconds which means dads across the country will be spending thousands and thousands of dollars for their daughters. It’s a market concept people, they never called it “the iphone killer” or anything. People who love their sidekicks don’t need a name they just want the device. Not everyone that buys a cell phone is a tech geek that want’s a phone that makes you lose all contact with the outerworld cause your walking around with your head down staring at your iphone.
July 23rd, 2008
sorry *boy genious* no knock just mispelled due to the confusion of the article.
July 29th, 2008
I’m so sick of people like you who post crap like this on the internet bashing the t-mobile sidekick. It just so happens that the sidekick is pretty much t-mobiles BEST selling phone and I love it. I see nothing bulky about it and its aimed at the teenage generation because to be quite honest with you it harnesses everything we LIVE for (i.e text, aim and internet) in a handy device with easy to use functions at a decent price. I mean Unlimited Text, Internet and AIM for 19 bucks a month are you kidding. For a 15 year old kid with a minimum wage job thats spells H-E-A-V-E-N. And I think the customizing just sweetens the deal. So just shut up about the Sidekick, because its awesome.
August 19th, 2008
i agree with tim. i’m barely 21 and i love the sk. everything i need at a good price. and no, i dont want a tilt or blackberry or iphone. while they do alot, it’s just not my style. very content with sk. yeah it could have better updates but it seriously IS NOT that bad.
and getting upset about a name is pretty pathetic. again, it’s not that serious.
August 20th, 2008
i would have to say that you are somewhat of an idiot. the sidekick has the best aim/chat of any other phone on the market. no other phone can keep your connection alive and give you custom away messages while on the phone and/or texting. i think that perhaps you are being a presumptuous snob. yes, sure, endorse the iphone because it makes you feel “cool”. its not like you have any friends to chat with on the iphone anyway.
September 19th, 2008
The reasons I choose a Sidekick instead of any other, including an iPhone.
* unlimited everything for $20.00
* ability to do cut and paste
* all data stored in the cloud, even if my phone is destroyed, my data never is
* I can edit all my stored data online.
* availability of third party apps for years.
* open platform for which I can write my own apps.
* has always had a separate number row on keyboard
* stable as all hell, crashes much less than any windows mobile or iPhone
* can use with all of my mail accounts. POP3, Hotmail, Yahoo…
* can pair with a bluetooth keyboard allowing me to take notes for an entire day without charging, unlike my laptop
* the only phone with a terminal application allowing me to remotely login to computers with a shell account.
* I never come close to dropping it with the fliptop
This was all available on the Sidekick][. I am using the Sk3 now and will upgrade to the new model with video as soon as my contract allows. At which time I will just put in my sim card and all data will be uploaded in a matter of minutes.
Show me another phone that can do all this and I’ll switch today.
September 27th, 2008
hahah loser i just got my sidekick man and its awesome i love it … i was going to buy the iphone but nahhh the 2008 sidekick its hot so yeah i love my phone!!! it works perfect for me and i get the special unlimited texts pics and internet thats enough!!
November 15th, 2008
Dude are you really that lonely and lifeless that you have to trash talk a phone that’s probably so much cooler than yours…? And how old are you anyway like 36? This phone was meant for teens and a younger generation not 30 yr old men who are desperate and dont have a life… so you and all your other little 30 and 40 yr old tech dorks can take your malicious reviews and shove it…
January 16th, 2009
The sidekick 2008 is awesome, it does everything i could want from a phone. Like, its awesome… i think the only thing it could do better is better internet viewing, and a flash player for it. Other than that its top notch.