Comments on: Returned the Sidekick; got a Microsoft Windows-based phone http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2006/12/02/returned-the-sidekick-got-a-microsoft-windows-based-phone/ A posting every day; an interesting idea every three months... Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:53:43 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Alex http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2006/12/02/returned-the-sidekick-got-a-microsoft-windows-based-phone/comment-page-1/#comment-18736 Alex Tue, 05 Dec 2006 15:16:30 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2006/12/02/returned-the-sidekick-got-a-microsoft-w#comment-18736 The Sidekicks didn't really happen in Europe because the Windows Mobile 5 and Symbian S60 smartphones, which are technically 5 years ahead, landed before it. I've used the HTC/Qtek 8100 and S200, and the Hewlett Packard HW6915. Really short reviews: 8100 - nice basic semi-smart device, good music phone if you put in more SD storage. No WLAN, although the new version has it. S200 - large, touchscreen PDA-like device. Has WLAN. UI very bad, and it destroyed a 1GB MiniSD card. Avoid like the plague. HW6915 - Treo/Blackberry form factor. WLAN on board and works well, as does EDGE. GPS on board as well as good camera. Everything slightly, but significantly, better implemented.. The Sidekicks didn’t really happen in Europe because the Windows Mobile 5 and Symbian S60 smartphones, which are technically 5 years ahead, landed before it.

I’ve used the HTC/Qtek 8100 and S200, and the Hewlett Packard HW6915. Really short reviews: 8100 – nice basic semi-smart device, good music phone if you put in more SD storage. No WLAN, although the new version has it.

S200 – large, touchscreen PDA-like device. Has WLAN. UI very bad, and it destroyed a 1GB MiniSD card. Avoid like the plague.

HW6915 – Treo/Blackberry form factor. WLAN on board and works well, as does EDGE. GPS on board as well as good camera. Everything slightly, but significantly, better implemented..

]]> By: Tristan http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2006/12/02/returned-the-sidekick-got-a-microsoft-windows-based-phone/comment-page-1/#comment-18678 Tristan Mon, 04 Dec 2006 22:51:52 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2006/12/02/returned-the-sidekick-got-a-microsoft-w#comment-18678 The Calculator app on the Sidekick is available as a free download from the Catalog. When in the Phone app, and you type in a name, you are not using the address book so it makes sense that you should not see the address there, you are just looking up the phone numbers to dial. You can sync with Outlook using Intellisync which makes it so you don't have to go to the TMobile web interface. Scrolling the Sidekicks main menu (called the jump screen) will give you your upcoming appointments, recent emails, alarms, etc just by cycling though the application icons. There are been a few reports of echo on the Sidekick 3, and these are defective units. My SK3 exhibits no echo whatsoever either when using it as a handset or headset. The MDA has terrible battery life. When I tried it, it was literally only about an hour of usage. The Calculator app on the Sidekick is available as a free download from the Catalog.

When in the Phone app, and you type in a name, you are not using the address book so it makes sense that you should not see the address there, you are just looking up the phone numbers to dial.

You can sync with Outlook using Intellisync which makes it so you don’t have to go to the TMobile web interface.

Scrolling the Sidekicks main menu (called the jump screen) will give you your upcoming appointments, recent emails, alarms, etc just by cycling though the application icons.

There are been a few reports of echo on the Sidekick 3, and these are defective units. My SK3 exhibits no echo whatsoever either when using it as a handset or headset.

The MDA has terrible battery life. When I tried it, it was literally only about an hour of usage.

]]> By: David Wihl http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2006/12/02/returned-the-sidekick-got-a-microsoft-windows-based-phone/comment-page-1/#comment-18633 David Wihl Mon, 04 Dec 2006 01:02:20 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2006/12/02/returned-the-sidekick-got-a-microsoft-w#comment-18633 I've had the MDA since May and been very happy with it. Took it around Europe over the summer and it worked flawlessly. The connectivity is amazing from bluetooth in the car, wifi at home, USB in the office and GPRS on the road, it's always connected at the cheapest / best combination. In prototyping some mobile software at the office, it was always easier to develop for Windows Mobile than J2ME or Brew on every comparison project we've done so far. Get the unlimited data plan from T-Mobile - you'll find you are checking email at a red light. Now if only the Cirrus used bluetooth intelligently... I’ve had the MDA since May and been very happy with it. Took it around Europe over the summer and it worked flawlessly. The connectivity is amazing from bluetooth in the car, wifi at home, USB in the office and GPRS on the road, it’s always connected at the cheapest / best combination. In prototyping some mobile software at the office, it was always easier to develop for Windows Mobile than J2ME or Brew on every comparison project we’ve done so far. Get the unlimited data plan from T-Mobile – you’ll find you are checking email at a red light.
Now if only the Cirrus used bluetooth intelligently…

]]> By: Trevis Rothwell http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2006/12/02/returned-the-sidekick-got-a-microsoft-windows-based-phone/comment-page-1/#comment-18621 Trevis Rothwell Sun, 03 Dec 2006 19:07:08 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2006/12/02/returned-the-sidekick-got-a-microsoft-w#comment-18621 I'm on my second Treo 650, after the first one started failing sporadically. I totally agree about the flip-up cover (or lack thereof). In addition to protecting the screen from damage and the phone from unwanted use, the flip-up cover gives you a longer distance between the earpiece and the microphone. I find that my head is not very Treo 650-shaped, and it can sometimes be hard for me to both hear and be heard at the same time. I’m on my second Treo 650, after the first one started failing sporadically. I totally agree about the flip-up cover (or lack thereof). In addition to protecting the screen from damage and the phone from unwanted use, the flip-up cover gives you a longer distance between the earpiece and the microphone.

I find that my head is not very Treo 650-shaped, and it can sometimes be hard for me to both hear and be heard at the same time.

]]> By: Frank http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2006/12/02/returned-the-sidekick-got-a-microsoft-windows-based-phone/comment-page-1/#comment-18611 Frank Sun, 03 Dec 2006 16:34:15 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2006/12/02/returned-the-sidekick-got-a-microsoft-w#comment-18611 I concur with presidentpicker that you should check out the latest Nokia phones. Their <a href="http://opensource.nokia.com/projects/S60browser/" rel="nofollow">open source web browser</a> that comes with the phone is better than anything I've ever seen on a mobile phone. Most web sites look and work just like they do on my desktop. I concur with presidentpicker that you should check out the latest Nokia phones. Their open source web browser that comes with the phone is better than anything I’ve ever seen on a mobile phone. Most web sites look and work just like they do on my desktop.

]]> By: Sundeep Madra http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2006/12/02/returned-the-sidekick-got-a-microsoft-windows-based-phone/comment-page-1/#comment-18563 Sundeep Madra Sun, 03 Dec 2006 00:06:26 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2006/12/02/returned-the-sidekick-got-a-microsoft-w#comment-18563 You should really give the blackberry 8700 from T-Mobile a try. By far the best device I have every used! You should really give the blackberry 8700 from T-Mobile a try. By far the best device I have every used!

]]> By: presidentpicker http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2006/12/02/returned-the-sidekick-got-a-microsoft-windows-based-phone/comment-page-1/#comment-18556 presidentpicker Sat, 02 Dec 2006 22:51:56 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2006/12/02/returned-the-sidekick-got-a-microsoft-w#comment-18556 have you looked at Nokia's E61? have you looked at Nokia’s E61?

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