Looks like your own clue meter is reading a pint low there, Johnnie. No one ever said T-Mobile uses Cingular's net exclusively--just that T-Mobile is Danger's preferred carrier because it does have access to Cingular's net.

I spent last week in a different state, and noticed the normal "T-Mobile" at the bottom of my Sidekick had changed to "Cingular Wireless" for the duration of my trip. Personally, I appreciate the extra coverage. It sounds to me like Danger is trying to convey that they selected T-Mobile as a carrier because it can piggyback on Cingular's extensive network.

Well, probably because I don't need 8,000 or 20,000 applications. The calendar is excellent, the email client is excellent (unless you want Outlook integration, which I don't), the IM client is very solid--even keeps your messages at the server for later delivery if you drop signal during a conversation. The phone is extremely inexpensive (what, $25 after rebates?) and Danger requires that its carriers offer unlimited data for a great monthly price.

I'm a Sidekick user, and have been delighted with the device. The built-in applications cover the majority of the features I want out of my cell phone, and the online catalog is already starting to expand--with solid and well-tested apps, rather than the bug-ridden crap one encounters and discards for a palm/pocketpc. With the new device coming up--built-in camera, slimmer form factor, additional apps--I think Danger is in a good position.

For what it's worth, I registered on your tiny little forum just to respond to your biased post. Your bashing of the sidekick is really disappointing--this device has a lot to offer. Get one and use it for a few weeks before you get all Palm-happy on us, would you?

Oh, I can't see spending my own $$ on a Sidekick.. as I'm rather much fond of capable devices, such as the XDA III PPCphone just 'round the bend. Although if Danger wished to provide one, I'd give it an honest eval.

'Just $25' is also misleading, as that requires a long-term contract, something my present menagerie of PDAphones do not.

I agree this was a very unfair and biased report on the Sidekick. I know several people that use the Sidekick and are very pleased with it. I understand it to be a very stable and user friendly device. I think it is wrong to write such negative statements about a device that you’ve never used. They obviously have their niche since they are on their 3rd generation, and like other devices, are improving with each new model. As Lertulo pointed out, not everyone needs 8-20K applications or Outlook connectivity. Not all users have the same requirements and the Sidekick is a perfect example of a user who needs more than a cell phone but less than a mini-laptop in their pocket. You have to keep in mind that not everyone is an IT “Poweruser”, nor should they have to become one just use a converged device.

Lertulo: I’m sorry that your first impression of this site was a negative one. If you’ll come back and have a look around, you’ll see that most of the post here are very constructive and that most of the people here are helping others get the most out of their converged devices, no matter what they choose to carry.

Hang on there John... we are an Equal Opportunity pdaPhone site... all pdaPhone users are welcome. It is debatable whether the Danger Sidekick qualifies as a pdaPhone, but we have tried to cover it as such. I've played with one briefly and found it to be OK for basic use, although not a power device like the XDA III. You can buy a Sidekick without a plan for a whole lot less $$$ than an XDA III without plan... so its not really an apples to apples comparison.

I agree with your interpretation of the source article... they were stating that T-Mobile uses a network built by Cingular. This is both incorrect, and very misleading. T-Mobile has their own network. And they have a roaming agreement... but I don't think the roaming agreement covers the 850Mhz band that Cingular and AT&T have recently started using. So this makes the statements in the interview kind of ridiculous in my opinion. Danger has really not been able to expand itself beyond T-Mobile, and they seem to be using this argument as a reason why. But, this little device which seems to be in a market segment all to itself, has managed to hang on... in spite of limited exposure and compatibility with other PDA apps. THAT ALONE, is probably a good measure of how good it is... it would have to be good to survive in that environment.

Lertulo... I'm happy to see a Sidekick user around... there haven't been a lot of you guys active around here. I do take offense to the "tiny little forum" comment. I realize you were annoyed with the writer... but bashing is bashing.

Let's take this thread to a more positive direction. Certainly a few other people may be attracted to the subject... and you now have an opportunity to reach them with your views on the Sidekick. If you don't mind, please give us a brief review of what you like, or dislike about the device. I know that one of the limitations that turned me off on it early on, was the inability to sync it with your PC files. Another one was the lack of 3rd party apps, but that was before the release of the developers kit.... have things gotten better since then? What lights you up about this device?

The devkit has its own perils, as this Slashdot poster notes:
http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?s...d&cid=10182951

But, if a Sidekick II appears, I'd be very happy to give it my best shot to review it.

I was an early adoptor of the sidekick and I have to say it is great for web browsing and AIM chatting - I will consider buying another one when the SK2 is released.

Well, with this link only shows another biased report. The comments listed below the link also explain the opposite of the original poster... I would prefer you wouldn't have started this thread seeing how you have never used this device.

BTW, since the Sidekick II is released now, will you be reviewing it, or was it just talk?

(G4TechTV also rated the Sidekick II over the Treo 600)