Sidekick 3 review roundup

By the time the Bluetoothin', memory expandin' Sidekick 3 drops on T-Mobile come next month, it's our duty here at Engadget to make sure our readers practically know more about the phone than your average Danger employee. The next phase in that plan involves a barrage of reviews, presented here for your perusal. Complaints centered around the device's weak-but-common 1.3 megapixel camera, while the redesigned glossy keyboard earned mixed ratings. The critical reaction has been generally positive, with some reviewers suggesting that the third iteration of the Hiptop is the first one strong enough to serve as a dedicated phone.

Read - Mobileburn
Read - PC Magazine
Read - LAPTOP Magazine
Read - Phone Scoop

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 22nd 2006 4:00AM]

Will I buy one? Probably not. Despite what the reviewers claim about the SK3 rivaling a PDA phone, I do not see that happening. It's way beyond most phones, but I can't see how a mobile professional could use this and have everything he/she needs.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 23rd 2006 7:49AM]

I played with one of these yesterday at a tmob store here in Ohio. It is a lot lighter/sleeker and felt good to talk on. The store employess never had a sim to use on it so I used my sk2 card and it popped in and I was off, I was floored at how quickly pages loaded with EDGE. I didn't get to play with the music player (had no minisd with music on it) so I couldn't tell if you could stream stereo sound in a BT earpiece. The only real complaint I have is the keyboard. It still feels nice but I guess i'm just used to the rubberized one of the SK2. I hope that the new keyboard at least has a silicone membrane underneath it so water or what have you doesn't reak havoc on it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 23rd 2006 2:01PM]

Oh... I dunno...
http://news.yahoo.com/photo/060621/482/51fc9db6506e406c88a9395321d15207

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 25th 2006 8:26PM]

If you read around, there are some places that are already saying that if you are a current SK2 subscriber, you can purchase the unit "ahead of time", but what is the discount you get? Nothing. You are paying the same as if someone else decided to get a sidekick3, there are no rewards for having a sk2, no benefits. I spent $250 each last year on two SK2s (one for me, one for the deaf parttner) trying to wait until THIS year to renew my contract since T-Mo was being less than open about any kind of information about the sk3, now I find out unless I sign up with a 2 year contract (to get the $300 price) or a 1 year contract (for the $350 tag), i'm not REALLY getting any discount. This is really stupid and now making me consider switching to a blackberry for a measly $100 each with no price change in my plan, forget the SK3, that's way too much. Esp since then I will STILL have an sk2 that i can't do anything with. I don't have that kind of money to waste. Maybe if T-Mo GAVE away some of the SK3s to people who have been using SK2s for over a year instead of to celebrities that are gonna ditch them within a week, it would be fine.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 26th 2006 11:02PM]

Hey I was wondering if anyone knew if it was coming with a mini sd card or if you would have to purchase one separately? thank you

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 6th 2006 11:54AM]

After anxiously waiting for it's arrival..I finally received my sidekick III. After playing with it for some long intensive hours..I realized..it's WHACK! It wasn't worth the money.

It has no ALARM CLOCK..NO CALCULATOR..NO VIDEO RECORDER!!! I use those on a daily basis...Also, you can't import MP3 to convert to ringtones. You must strictly order from their download catalogue because I spent hours trying to figure out how to access the memory card to transfer data..but the SDcard is strictly for transferring pictures to the camera and MP3's to play on the MP3 player BUT THAT'S IT! my damn T809 had way more options then this...You'd think something that cost 399.99 would have EVERYTHING! But it doesn't.

It's hella technical too but if you already have a kicker...you should be use to it..but newbies like me..damn..it was hella confusing. So if you are planning to get it on its release date of JULY 10, 2006, I highly recommend NOT to get it. Save your money for something better or wait for the price to go down. It's only a slight upgrade to the Sidekick II !