T-Mobile Sidekick iD Handheld Messaging Device Review
While most mobile phone manufacturers are adding features, making their handsets more versatile than ever, T-Mobile bucks the trend with its Sidekick iD, a seriously stripped-down version of its popular messaging device of pocket. One thing that the ID feature is not a budget-friendly price $ 100 after mail-in rebate making it a good choice for cash-strapped students who can not afford the twice-as-expensive Sidekick 3.
When we say that light is on iD features, no kidding. Compared to his brothers and sisters brawnier and more expensive $ 200, the Sidekick 3, which identifies the lack of a camera, MP3 player, Bluetooth connectivity, an expandable media slot, and support for Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) for fast mobile Web surfing. But it still offers much to love if you want a cheap, easy to use, no-frills gadget messaging.
The 6.2 ounces iD shares the signature of the other Sidekicks. The device 5.1×2.4×0.8 inches has a low resolution (240×160 pixels), 2.4-inch screen that turns 180 degrees to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. You will also find both a trackball and a directional pad to navigate easily in iD menus that are simple and easy to use. The keyboard is spacious and very comfortable, and while the screen is not brilliant, it is usable.
If you feel the need to accessorize, you can equip the Sidekick iD with interchangeable bumpers rubber, turning the device color putty a variety of bright colors, or even shine in the dark. (Kits bumpers, $ 19.99 each, are available at T-Mobile’s website.) They are a nice way to jazz up iD Bland-looking, but we broke a few nails trying to adapt bumpers on the device.
The ID is the primary work-messaging well. It comes preloaded with AOL Instant Messenger, MSN and Yahoo IM clients, and you can use all three services simultaneously to dredge up to 10 people at once. Text and multimedia messaging are also supported. In our tests, the IMs were quick-recipients have received our message only seconds after we’ve sent and text messaging was almost instantaneous.
Another key feature is the e-mail. Each ID comes with a T-Mobile will e-mail with acknowledgment message in real time. You can also set the ID to access the three POP3 and IMAP accounts, but the messages are delivered at intervals of about 15 minutes. Setup was simple for both accounts.
In our case, the biggest mistake of T-Mobile with the support of ID has been omitted for EDGE. The Not-So-cutting, GPRS, EDGE data connection enables Web browsing very slow, with simple pages like Google takes as long as 45 seconds to go, and more graphics intensive, which can accommodate up to two minutes fully charge. We are also a little puzzled why T-Mobile included a photo album, when there is no integrated camera. Presumably, images of album would e-mail or multimedia message, because the device does not have an expansion slot for moving files on the device.
Although we like the form factor for iD messaging, we are not crazy to use it as a phone, given its width, a bulky body. The device feels great and a bit awkward when held up to your ears. Fortunately, T-Mobile includes a mono headset for use in the 2.5mm jack of the headset. The ID also includes an address book that stores up to 2,000 contacts, and other standard features such as speed dialing, call forwarding, and a speakerphone.
We tested the ID in the New York area, and call quality is decent. We could clearly hear the call, and they could hear us very well in most cases. The speaker, though, is a bit nasal, and we wish it were louder. T-Mobile rate of the device for 5.3 hours of talk time and up to six days standby.
Pros
Inexpensive; easy-to-use interface; excels at instant and text messaging, e-mail
Cons
No extra features; slow Web surfing; low-res screen
Conclusion
T-Mobile’s latest iteration of the ever-popular Sidekick slashes features for the sake of affordability.
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