Tuesday, March 15, 2011

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A Legacy Lives On: T-Mobile Sidekick Reborn As The Android-Powered Sidekick 4G

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 09:00 PM PDT

Call me a nerd, or call me nostalgic — but I loved the Sidekick series. Though that love fizzled over time (partially due to hardware issues in the later Sidekicks, partially due to the fact that smartphone prices plummeted while their user-friendliness skyrocketed), the first three Sidekicks are still some of my favorite devices ever.

Today, just two weeks after T-Mobile and Microsoft announced that they’re pulling the plug on the old Sidekick cloud servers, T-Mobile is officially unveiling something they (and I) hope can bring life back to the Sidekick series: the Android-powered, Samsung-made Sidekick 4G.

From pictures of the hardware, it looks like Samsung has kept most of the things that Sidekick fan know and love. The overall shape remains unchanged, and it still packs a roomy-lookin’ 5 row key (which I’m really, really hoping is on par with Sidekicks prior). Alas, there is at least a change or two that the more devout fans might not like: the handset’s signature (and oh-so-awesome) display spin-out has been replaced with something they’re calling a “pop-tilt” hinge (we’ve confirmed that this display slides, rather than spins), and the physical trackball has been replaced with an optical trackball.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • 1 Ghz Samsung Hummingbird CPU
  • 3.5 inch touchscreen display (First Sidekick with a touchscreen!)
  • “Group Text” app (Seems to just be a “Reply All” type thing, rather than a managed Group Texting app a la Beluga or GroupMe)
  • “Cloud Text” app (Which they say “provides the option to text with friends and groups across platforms, from wherever a customer is, whether from the comfort of their PC's large screen and keyboard, or from their new Sidekick 4G”)
  • “Sidekick Media Room” app provides access to Youtube, Slacker, T-Mobile TV, and any audio/video that might be on the handset
  • Comes pre-loaded with Facebook and Twitter
  • Dedicated Jump key for jumping between active applications (It’s not quite clear how this works, but it sounds like it’s more than what simply holding the Home key usually provides.

We’ll be checking this thing out at CTIA Orlando (March 21-23) in just a few days — check back in then for our hands on impressions! In the mean time: what do you think? Is this a worthy revival of the Sidekick line?

Web Apps On iOS Being Throttled By Last-Generation Engine

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 08:06 PM PDT

This probably sounds worse than it is, but it’s strange that it should be an issue at all. It appears that web apps and games launched from the home screen (as opposed to being used in the browser) do not at present have access to iOS 4.3′s improved “Nitro” Javascript engine, and are restricted in using web-related cache and resources they would otherwise have when used in-browser. It could be that the Nitro engine simply hasn’t been extended for use by the non-browser web UI tools, but one developer says that the Safari team indicated the problem would not be fixed.

It’s a pretty serious oversight when Apple has indicated such an interest in HTML5 and standards-based apps, but it’s also worth considering that it has a large interest in making such apps available via the App Store, where they have editorial control and revenue possibilities. By refusing to give web apps that have “gone native” access to the improved Javascript engine or preventing them from being run while offline (another new trouble), they could be trying to subtly prod users in the direction of paid or ad-based “real” apps.

On the other hand, it could also be just a slow roll-out of a complicated new bit of code and the developers being affected could just be a minority being affected by this very specific problem.

If you’re interested, there are a number of threads and other sites investigating this issue collected over at Register Hardware.

Confirmed: Verizon’s first 4G phone, the HTC Thunderbolt, To Ship March 17th

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 03:23 PM PDT

Hey! You! Android fan! You might want to take a seat. Ready?

After months of rumored delays, endless whispers of potential release dates, and leak after leak after leak… Verizon’s first 4G phone, the HTC Thunderbolt, is finally about to ship.

Verizon hasn’t made the launch date official just yet, but we’ve got the next best thing: major third-party retailer Wirefly has just sent out word that pre-orders for the Thunderbolt will begin tonight, with the first shipments hitting the delivery trucks on March 17th.

Just tuning in to this whole Thunderbolt deal? Here are the specs:

  • HTC Sense 2.0
  • 4G LTE Support
  • 1GHz Snapdragon processor
  • 4.3" WVGA display (Resolution: 480 x 800)
  • 8 GB of Internal Storage, microSD support up to 32GB
  • 768 MB RAM
  • Dolby surround sound
  • 8-megapixel camera and HD video recording
  • Wireless DLNA media sharing
  • Dimensions: 4.80 x 2.60 x 0.52

What do you think: is the Thunderbolt a worthy entry as Verizon’s first 4G smartphone?

Study: T-Mobile Has The Fastest Smartphone Data Network (For Now)

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 02:51 PM PDT

Turning on the radio and listening to the big carriers all talk about their 4G network speeds is a bit like listening to children bicker:

“We’ve got the fastest network!”
“Nuh uhhh! WE’VE got the fastest network! And better coverage!”
“You guys are all liars, you know WE have the fastest network! And you’re all big smelly jerk-heads!”

PC World has taken the time to put all these claims to the test, measuring 3G/4G network speeds in 260 locations across 13 cities. The results? While Verizon’s 4G data network is by far the fastest right now for laptops, the lack of any 4G phone for Verizon sinks them into dead last for smartphone speed. Until VZW gets on the ball with 4G phones (which… should actually be later this week, with the launch of the HTC ThunderBolt on March 17th), the title for fastest Smartphone data network sits firmly in T-Mobile’s lap.

The report also found a bunch of other interesting tid bits, like the fact that Verizon’s 3G network is 7% slower this year than it was in the same tests last year. Be sure to check out the full 7-page report right over here.

AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint Waive Fees For Calling/Texting Japan

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 01:03 PM PDT


Just a quick PSA for those who might be trying to reach friends and family in Japan following the earthquake: a few of the major carriers are temporarily waiving all fees associated with calling or texting Japan. Here’s what’s been confirmed so far:

  • Verizon is waiving all calling/texting fees (to Japan) on wireless accounts, and calling fees on landlines.
  • AT&T is waiving all calling/texting fees to Japan
  • Sprint is waiving all calling/texting fees to Japan
  • T-Mobile is currently only waiving fees associated with texting shortcodes, such as those used to donate monies to the red cross

Certainly a cool move by the carriers (your move could be cooler, T-Mobile.) It’s not a lot — but for those with family and friends still unaccounted for, it’s one less thing to worry about.

[Via Phonescoop]

Kyocera’s Crazy Dual-Screen Android Phone, the Echo, launching April 17th

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 12:45 PM PDT

The critical reception for the Kyocera Echo has been about as two-faced as the handset itself. Some folks seem to think it’s the greatest thing in human history; others (this guy!) think it’s an oddly hobbled-together Frankenstein phone with features that can’t work properly without third-party developer support that it’s unlikely to ever get.

Oh well — on to the important bit: after being announced last month, the Kyocera Echo will hit Sprint’s shelves on April 17th. It’ll set you back $199, and has a 5 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and WiFi — but sadly (and surprisingly!) no Sprint 4G support. Want to absolutely, positively make sure you get one? Pre-orders start March 26th.

Verizon Now Waiving Tablet Activation Fees

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 12:26 PM PDT

One blip in the tablet pricing and contract shuffle that’s been going on for the last couple months was that Verizon would be charging you a $35 activation fee when you activate their 3G service. The question was, is this fee going to stick around, making de- and re-activation a costly prospect? Other carriers didn’t have the fee, and it looks like Verizon is backing up just a bit with a limited-time reimbursement policy.

The memo reads “VZW is automatically waiving the activation fee on any tablet purchased on a month-to-month contract term as part of a limited-time promotion.” So if you pick up a Xoom today at retail (or picked one up recently) you’ll see a $35 credit next to your $35 fee. Already paid the fee? Call up your local Verizon store and see if they’ll send a credit your way either, since you’re a loyal customer.

[via Phandroid]
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