Sharp Sidekick LX Carbon Cell Phone
Overview
What’s good: Incredibly intuitive hardware controls, full QWERTY, 3G, 3.5mm headphone jack, body slimmed-down since previous incarnations, 3.2 MP still and video camera, social features galore.
What's bad: Youthful image drastically limits audience, flashing lights and goofy sounds. Overall, a great design and interface are disguised by gimmicks.
Introduction
The 2009 Sidekick LX features the same hard and soft interface that long-time fans have grown to love. While a bit larger than the 2008 model, also known as Gecko, this one has a bigger screen that looks great. Modest GPS and a mediocre camera are balanced by killer social media integration and probably the best messaging layout currently available. If you like to type and spend most of your non-call time with your phone in landscape, this is the device for you. In fact I think it was my time spent with Sidekicks that has caused my obsession with landscape QWERTY availability. The Sidekick is the prototype for many messaging phones, and for good reason.
Design & Features
I like Sidekicks. The full QWERTY, trackball, bumpers, combo-capable front buttons, and rotating screen have always been appealing to me. But I've found the device's appearance a little off-putting. When I was in the market, Sharp's hardware looked chunky and a cheap. I had an SK 2 and 3, and by the time the SK3 needed replacing, I was interested in other phones.
The first LX was nice, and I went to the store to check out the brown one on several occasions. It looked to me like the Sidekick might be headed in a new direction. Namely, towards the professional adult demographic. The first LX had a touch of class. But Danger and HipTop have opted for the teen set with the 09 LX. That isn't to say the software isn't becoming capable or functional outside of the social/messaging context, but that is clearly the focus.
The first time I fired it up and flipped the screen open I was taken aback by the barrage of light, sound, and color this thing emits. Wow. Cool for a teen, but not so much for me. Subtle it is not. Built-in theming takes care of some of the taste issues, but not all of them. I have to say that I would feel out of place with this phone at work in an office or at a business meeting.
The hardware is obviously sleeker than the SK2 and SK3, but the screen housing (the pivoting rectangle) feels less solid. The screen itself is great, but the panel it rests in is somewhat bothersome. There is a sticking point, and the motion required to open and close the screen is less intuitive than in early models - less fluid.
The SK3 required a tap on the upper-right corner of the panel to snap open. This one is designed to be lifted at the bottom with your left thumb. It's a difficult change to adjust to. I feel like I need to guide the screen half of the way around, because I can't break the habit of opening from the top-right. The panel wiggles (as intended for the lift-to-open design) a little too much in depth, and doesn't feel as solid as earlier versions. I guess that's the trade-off for a thinner device. I noticed this less and less the more I used the phone, so maybe it won't be an issue for you.
The camera is usable, and great for MMS and social media. The GPS is not well-integrated, but a nice addition to the line. I would say that I'd like to see a touch screen in the next Sidekick, but there's just no reason for it. The hardware controls are so perfectly arranged that I really don't see any possible improvement outside of minor adjustments to shrink the device a bit.
Usability & Performance
Despite the passage of two years since I last used an SK regularly, I found my self zooming around via key combos less than five minutes after opening the 2009 LX. The interface is so usable that it becomes second nature. It's like riding a bike. One hardware problem that makes the device less usable than previous versions is the give in the trackball.
The trackball is clickable - a sort of action button. But there is some play between the resting position and the depth the ball must be at for scrolling. So if you gently roll the ball without pressing down, nothing happens. Press too hard, and you'll click something you didn't mean to. Maybe I just got a quirky unit. It happens.
They keys of the SK3 were my favorite of the bunch. Those glossy, rounded bubbles felt great and I spent more time looking at the screen than at the keyboard while typing. A lot of people would say those were the worst keys ever to appear in the SK line. It's all a matter of preference, really. I know they gave some blisters.
The 09 LX keys are very different than the models leading up to Gecko. They are nearly flat (like the Gecko and first LX) and look slick and futuristic with back-lighting and a neon frame. They are so flat, however, that a great deal of space is required between them. I didn't think I'd ever say this, but the keys might be too far apart. Again, taste and adaptation. You've got to hold one.
The software has some major improvements over earlier versions. And the MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter apps go a long way in reaffirming the Sidekick's position as one of the top messaging devices out there. Things are where you expect them to be if you've had an SK before. Although there are tons of new options, long-time fans won't find any changes confusing or out of place.
As I mentioned in the design section, the layout of the Sidekick is perfect in my mind. Testing this new model, I've found that it is peerless in some aspects of usability. It isn't for everyone, but Sidekick fans know - you just can't beat beat the standard for a non-smart messaging phone.
Conclusion
The Sidekick brand as a whole represents the pinnacle of messaging phones up to this point. Unfortunately, the folks brainstorming the latest marketing and design angle for these capable devices are fixed on the idea of appealing to kids. When will we see the grown-up version? I've got nothing against having a little fun, but I don't like to trigger a light show and an obnoxious series of sound effects every time I hit the jump screen.
The first LX gave the impression that the Sidekick was on it's way up - getting classy for the professional. The 09 feels like a regression into the tween market - despite the racially diverse group of four young adults who represent different uses of the device at the official website. There is obviously a market in the tween population, and of course a phone should meet the demand. But I think limiting the Sidekick to this demographic is a waste of some brilliant engineering and potential for more widespread adoption. Sidekick Pro, please?
Read full review » After a week with the new Sidekick LX, Noah's ready to share his verdict. A hint: It's a thumbs-up, with a few minor caveats. Noah gets in-depth with one of the T-Mobile Sidekick LX 2009's unique features: an integrated twitter app. Noah checks out the built-in Facebook and MySpace apps on the Sidekick LX 2009. But one of them won't work! Uh-oh... Noah gets the new Sidekick LX 2009 and heads to the gargage for an unboxing and a drum solo. Noah gets the new Sidekick LX 2009 and heads to the gargage for an unboxing and a drum solo. WARNING: Cell phone mics were not made to record live drums! Just out of the box, footage captured with the new T-Mobile Sidekick LX 2009. Full unboxing and review coming soon! My folks were in town recently and while they were visiting my Mom asked me about getting a new cell phone. "Is the Curve a good phone?" she asked. Uh-oh, I thought. My Mom is no techie, so where'd she hear about the Curve? Is she running with some no-good retirees who've put crazy ideas about BlackBerries in her head?Turns out she was at a party when some bit of trivia was being discussed that nobody could quite remember... Overview What’s good: Incredibly intuitive hardware controls, full QWERTY, 3G, 3.5mm headphone jack, body slimmed-down since previous incarnations, 3.2 MP still and video camera, social features galore. What's bad: Youthful image drastically limits audience, flashing lights and goofy sounds. Overall, a great design and interface are disguised by gimmicks.
Introduction The 2009 Sidekick LX features the same hard and soft interface that... T-Mobile's Sidekick LX 2009 is now officially available for $249 after rebate with a new two-year contract. While I had a few minor issues with the MySpace app on mine (mainly b/c I hadn't used my MySpace account in, like, two years), I've already received a few reports from readers who say they bought a SKLX09 but can't get the darn thing activated.
Apparently T-Mo customer service is on the case, however. As one twitterer told me... Carrier: T-MobileRetail Price: $449.99 or via ebayContract Price: $249.99 or via Lets TalkHot Features: Large LCD screen, Instant messaging: Yahoo!®, Windows Live®, AIM® The updated T-Mobile Sidekick LX is available in carbon or orchid colors. This great messaging phone comes loaded with integrated social networking apps including Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. Other key features include a 3.2 MP camera with LED... I've had a weekend with T-Mobile's new Sidekick LX 2009 now, and while that's not quite enough testing for me to give a full-on review of the device, I can give you some first impressions. Look for more feature-by-feature SKLX videos and plenty of twitter updates as I continue testing:1. Overall the device feels slimmer and nicer than previous Sidekicks. The size and shape reminds me a bit of the AT&T Samsung Impression - it's more like a... When it comes to the April 21st T-mobile media event in New York City, there were three truths that can be told: 1) It had nothing to do with Android/G2. (If you had bets on this, it’s time to cough up the cash.)2) It was all about the new Sidekick. 3) Free drinks and nachos are cool.The folks at T-mobile really know how to throw a shindig. Better yet, they know how to put together a cool phone. So without further delay, here it is: The new... Pros: qwerty smaller than sk lx mp3 camrea myspace microSD card good screen Cons: battery no 3.5 mill headset jack no 3G screen could be bigger needs a better batery qwerty is somewhat flat Summary: i have had this phone since black friday.i love this phone.it works well.i like the software.the camera is not good.and it has a loud speaker.i realy think that if you get pay as you go is a good deal get it.if its on a contract, july 11,2009 0 out of 2 people found this review helpful Pros: It has a beautiful, high-resolution display; 3G; GPS; Flash video support; full qwerty keyboard; applications such as twitter, facebook, and myspace; sexy design; better web browser (most of the sites can view in full HTML mode); calls are much clearer than the previous sidekicks; customize themes and shells; awesome chats such as yahoo, aim, and msn; CAN use mp3 for your ringtone which other sidekicks can't do. Oh did I mention it is the thinnest sidekick ever? Cons: No Wi-fi; videos recording and pictures are bad but better than the old sidekicks; GPS is a little bit clunky because you have to do many steps to find your location which is retarded; the battery life isn't that great, but it's better than the G1. Summary: Overall this phone is great for a texting and emailing person. It is the best sidekick yet, although they will need to have more applications. The sidekick unlimited web + texting price is $35 which is pretty cheap compare to other services that other carriers give. This phone aims mostly at teenagers and its a really REALLY fun phone. 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful Pros: 250 Ringtones can be stored, u can make your own themes, awesome 2 chat through AIM MSN & YAHOO at the same time, Built in MySpace, Facebook, & Twitter all FREE. 3G network super fast browsing, You Tube streaming very clear! 3.2 MPX on the cam w/video. store 2000+ numbers on address book, convenient calendar, to do list, notes, pics and video messages with audio card, and easiest texting keyboard, cool design. Big screen. Excellent reception. Able to share music through bluetooth, able to hav u Cons: Doesn't swivel easily like previous sidKicks. By far the hardest swivel ever. can't select from a list to mass text like in SK 3. They removed the mood lights ( like the SK LX 2008 now has,) sound on the MP3 player is still low. Unable to set mp3 as ringtones. Summary: I got to play w/the NEW Sidekick LX 2009 which is 2 B released now on 05/13/09 The phone is amazing and a great update for the previous Sidekicks but its sad to see the mood lights taken away from every corner that was my fav thing from the prev version which i currently own. They still haven't improved the ability to message many ppl at once by picking from a list, but aside from that the phone is amazing all around if you don't own a phone and you're under 30 this is a greatttt phone to have! super fun! If u love texting this is the BEST phone to text on super comfortable. If you currently own a SK LX 2008 and you don't care 4 better cam/video, You tube, and faster browsing the LX will be as nice. The cost for a Sidekick every month is $35.00 which includes unlimited email, unlimited web browsing, unlimited messaging and plus the cost of whatever minute plan you pick plus the $6 insurance . Happy shopping! =) 2 out of 6 people found this review helpful Pros: very stylish phone, qwerty keyboard is very comfortable and large, screen display is very clear and vibrant. music player is crystal clear. able to download themes. and lights on each corner of the phone is another attraction to this phone. Cons: pictures takin with the phone camera isnt so clear. because of the scroll ball; if u put it in ur pocket or purse it tends to call someone in your recent calls. your music from your sd card can not be made to a ringtone. also with out internet on your phone aim and email will not work. and lastly the quality when talkin on the phone isnt the greatest. Summary: i had this phone for 3 months, unfortunetly it got water damaged. two things i have to have as a feature on my phone is being able to text message/picture message and for the phone to have a music player. before i had the sidekick i had the motorola w490 which for a flip phone was a very good phone. when i got my sidekick lx for christmas i fell in love with its design and the amazing qwerty keyboard. also i love how clear the music player was and how clear the screen display was. a great feature to the phone was with certain funtions the phone would light up with different colors. the sidekick lx also has alot of features which makes it a great phone. the down falls of this phone are that you cant take music from your memory card and set them as a ringtone, the camera quality isnt the best, aim and email can not be accessed unless you have a internet service on your plan and lastly if you put the sidekick lx in your pocket or a purse; because of the scroll ball it occasionally will recall the last person in your recent calls. 6 out of 10 people found this review helpful Pros: Nothing Cons: It dials at random. Summary: I have had this phone for almost 2 years. the warranty is only for 1 year. I did buy the insurance. I have never went over my minutes, but with this phone dialing out at random I have over $300.00 in phone overages. Customer service says sorry about your luck. 5 out of 17 people found this review helpful THIS TIP IS VERY HELPFUL IF YOU HAPPEN TO FORGET YOUR 3 DIGIT SECURITY LOCK CODE =]
This tip unlocks the 3 digit security lock.
1. at the same time hold the menu button (top left) and the back button (bottom right) to unlock the screen
2. Press the make call button twice (green phone button)This will bring you to the emergency screen which lets you make emergency calls
3. Open to the keypad and hold in the menu+shift+q buttons at the same... Hey everyone. I have the sidekick slide and I am getting pretty bored of it. it is very fat, doesn't have good camera resolution, and has a small screen. I was wondering if it would be a good idea to ask for the Samsung Behold for christmas but I am not sure because i got the slide in april. Should I ask for the new behold or wait , will other better phones come onto the market like new and improved versions?? Help! And, are there any other... i really don't know what to get because i don't really know what's new accept that the s.k 2008 is thinner than the lx, plus does the blue s.k lx have fm radio?!? please help whick one is better?!? Buying choicesWith new service  This item is not being sold with a service plan by any online merchant. With pre-paid service This item is not being sold with a pre-paid service service plan by any online merchant. Purchase phone only Accessories Purchase compatible accessories for this phone Ringtones & MediaShop for compatible mobile content for this phone
|
|
Cell phones... Find it all hereResearch phones Shop for a phone Help & Community
Latest Videos & ReviewsCheck out the latest cell phone videos and in-depth reviews from our editors - BlackBerry Storm2 9550
What's Good: Screen is far easier to use thanks to the addition of electronic sensors; OS 5.0
- BlackBerry Bold 9700What's Good: Significantly improved design over the original Bold, fantastic keyboard, great
- LG GlanceWhat's Good: Durable device with good call quality and strong battery life. What's Bad: No 3G;
- Samsung Omnia HD i8910John loves the screen, but does the software justify this phone's great looks?
- Motorola Clutch i465What's Good: Call quality; fantastic speakerphone. What's Bad: Battery life; somewhat cramped
- LG LX290What's Good: Build quality; fantastic reception; battery life is respectable.
What's Bad: No EVDO;
- Nokia Twist 7705What's Good: Unique design; phenomenal QWERTY keyboard. What's Bad: Battery life could be better;
- HTC Hero CDMAJohn takes an in-depth look at Sprint's chinless HTC Hero.
- Samsung Highlight T749 FireThe Samsung Highlight is a slim touch screen cell phone that has a lot going for it: 3G
- Samsung Instinct HDWhat's Good: Nice design, complete with HD video-out for digital media fans. What's Bad: Some lag
New & coming soon phonesHot off the presses... here's what's available now and expected to come to market soon! - LG Shine IICarrier: AT&T
Retail Price: $169.99
Contract Price: $119.99
Hot Features: 2MP auto-focus camera, Video sharing, Bluetooth - BlackBerry Bold 9700 for AT&TCarrier: AT&T
Retail Price: $299.99
Contract Price: $199.99
Hot Features: Great QWERTY keyboard, WiFi, 3.2MP camera with video capture - Pantech ImpactCarrier: AT&T
Retail Price: $149.99
Contract Price: $99.99
Hot Features: 3G data, GPS, 2MP camera with video capture, and full QWERTY keyboard
- Nokia 2720Carrier: T-Mobile
Retail Price: $69.99
Contract Price: $19.99
Hot Features: 1.3MP camera with video capture and playback, Bluetooth - BlackBerry Curve 8530Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Retail Price: $199.99
Contract Price: $99.99
Hot Features: 2.0MP camera, WiFi, Music Player,GPS - Motorola CrushCarrier: U.S. Cellular
Retail Price: $249.95
Contract Price: $129.95
Hot Features: 2.8" Touchscreen, 2MP camera with video capture, easyedge capable - Samsung Behold IICarrier: T-Mobile
Retail Price: $449.99
Contract Price: $229.99
Hot Features: Android device, 5MP camera with video capture and playback - Nokia 3711Carrier: T-Mobile
Retail Price: $159.99
Contract Price: $69.99
Hot Features: 3G clamshell device, 2MP camera with video capture and playback - Palm PixiCarrier: Sprint
Retail Price: $399.99
Contract Price: $99.99
Hot Features: Palm webOS platform,full QWERTY, linked contacts & layered calendar - Samsung ConvoyCarrier: Verizon Wireless
Retail Price: $99.99
Contract Price: $49.99
Hot Features: 2MP camera, Push to Talk, Ruggedized exterior
- Samsung Omnia IITechnology: CDMA
Announced Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Expected Release Date: December 2nd, 2009 - Pantech Impact Technology: GSM
Announced Carrier: AT&T
Rumored Release Date: Sunday November 22, 2009 - BlackBerry Curve 8530Technology: CDMA
Announced Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Rumored Release Date: November 20th, 2009 - Samsung ConvoyTechnology: CDMA
Announced Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Rumored Release Date: November 15th, 2009 - HTC HD2Technology: GSM
Announced Carrier: N/A but rumors have it going to T-Mobile
Rumored Release Date: Q1 2010 - Sony Ericsson Xperia X10Technology: GSM
Announced Carrier: Not available
Rumored Release Date: Q1 of 2010 - HTC Droid ErisTechnology: CDMA
Announced Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Rumored Release Date: November 6th, 2009 - Motorola DroidTechnology: CDMA
Announced Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Expected Release Date: November 6th, 2009 - BlackBerry Storm 2Technology: CDMA
Announced Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Rumored Release Date: October 21, 2009 (UPDATE: Confirmed by Verizon Wireless, October 28th, 2009 release) - Sony Ericsson EquinoxTechnology: GSM
Announced Carrier: T-Mobile
Expected Release Date: 10-28-09
Hot phones - check 'em out!Check out these cool phones. Get full specs, images, pricing, read user and expert reviews, watch videos and much more...Most Popular Mobile ContentCheck out these popular artist, ringtones & videos, or visit our mobile content section to get the latest chart toppers and other mobile content for your cell phone!
|
Dont' miss your chance to play our new instant-win game - PhoneDog's One-Paw Bandit. We're giving away the hottest phones, including iPhones, iPod touch, G1's and many more devices to come... - Play Today!
4.2 
i want to know if i buy the sidekick lx 2009 can i put my simcard in and will it work with pay as you go, the internet and everything?
and yes it is a tmobile sim card..
but its not unlocked , and i dont know were i can doe this
Please tell me i really wanna buy one thanks!!!
Godbless
and it can be use in thai ??