T-Mobile’s Sidekick line of pagers has been very popular with deaf and hard of hearing users since the first (with a grayscale screen, even!) Sidekick debuted five years ago this month. Now T-Mobile will be releasing the sixth model in the Sidekick line on October 24th. Rather than going with the obvious name, “Sidekick 4″, T-Mobile has chosen to call it the Sidekick LX (LuXury, Large eXtra, 60 - roman numerals, etc?)
What’s new and different about this pager - especially for deaf and hard of hearing users?? The most obvious change is that the LX has a much larger screen. The SK3 had a 240×160 pixel screen for a total of 38,400 pixels. The LX has a 3 inch diagonal screen based on Sharp’s Aquous LCD TV technology that is 400 pixels wide by 240 pixels tall for a total of 96,000 pixels, nearly triple that of the SK3! In addition, the LX’s LCD is widescreen. This certainly will make for a more pleasing viewing experience. It’s not immediately known if fonts will be proportionately larger, or if the ability to change font sizes will be included in the new version of the Danger OS on the LX.
Second major change is that the LX has a keyboard that is very similar to the Sidekick 2 - a rubberized cover. This may be good news for some who prefer the “softer” touch of that keyboard, and bad news for those who hated their keyboards warping or even coming off. We’ll have to see if the warping issue has been licked.
Another interesting addition is that of “mood” lighting. Rather than use the plastic bumpers like the SK2 or the iD, the LX has colored LEDs around the edge of the device that can be programmed to come on at various times and in various colors in response to events on the LX. It’ll be interesting to see if this serves as a better visual alert to incoming messages than the multicolor LED in previous models.
Interestingly enough, even though the LX sports pretty much the same form factor as the SK3, the weight has been shaved down from 6.7 oz for the SK3, by a full ounce to 5.7 oz for the LX. Unfortunately, battery life will probably be the same or worse for the LX as compared to the SK3 due to the larger LCD screen. The stock battery is slightly bigger at 1540 mAh, as compared to the original 1500 mAh SK3 battery. Too bad. Most other specs such as the camera, music player, memory card, etc. remain the same as the SK3.
A bit of good news for hard of hearing users, the LX’s HAC rating is M3, which should allow you to use your hearing aid with it. This has been a highly requested feature for this group of people. As always, you should test any phone with your hearing aid before purchasing. Don’t take our word for it, but test it out and let us know what you think!!
There have been various updates to the Danger OS, as shown via screenshots at BoyGeniusReport, but we don’t know if there have been tweaks beneficial for a deaf or hard of hearing user, like stronger vibration. We’ll have to wait for October 24th to find out.
The LX will be available in blue and brown on Oct 24th from T-Mobile, for $299 with a two year contract, and supposedly will cost $500 without a contract. Rumor has it that there will be a OS update for the LX after it is released to enable video viewing (probably via memory card, possibly via web streaming)!
It does look like the LX will be a worthy successor to the SK3 if you are a deaf or hard of hearing user that relies heavily on SMS/text, email, and instant messaging. You can’t beat getting a larger screen!
34 responses so far ↓
1 ASL Risen // Oct 3, 2007 at 8:44 am
Wondering if the SK LX will have both filming and viewing videos, too?? Pls do let me know so I won’t have to pack another both video and photo cameras in my purse. I do NOT like to drag my purse everywhere I go.. Please do advise with the update advance video SK pager accessible.. Thanks for your own time to read my msg. Respectfull yours, Shawn
2 ward Nyholm // Oct 3, 2007 at 10:44 am
I never use sidekick so far…. And, think about Palm Centro coming soon. Cheap!!!
Still using Treo! : P
3 marsha novick // Oct 3, 2007 at 12:30 pm
hello everytime i look for sidekick or that right now showing it for a new one that coming in oct 24 sidekick lx reason i cant buy it is because i have no cerdit card and must have one i was trying to see why cant they take for money order or check i dont get it why it always has to have cerdit cards that not fair is there any way that can be change or what so let me know wow that seem good one and wonder if there is any for payment ? because i am on welfare and that not fair so let me know if there is anyway for surport thanks!!!
4 Jana // Oct 3, 2007 at 12:57 pm
What about the fonts? Can it make it larger fonts?
5 RLM // Oct 3, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Many thanks for sharing this article with us about the incoming new SK LX pager. I truly appreciate it very much.
I profoundly agree with Marsha Novick about such unfair class formation of deaf “haves” and “have nots” within the use of wireless pagers.
I personally believethat the wireless pagers are too ####### people, who have shoddy credit history.
Marsha, you could get the free debit/credit card from your own bank or change the bank, etc.
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
6 Debbie Montez // Oct 3, 2007 at 4:52 pm
I am a Sidekick 2 and 3 user and Ican’t wait for the
Sidekick LX come out! I know I am gonna love the widescreen! I am hoping that they fix the distortion when I use for voice with my hearing aid.
7 Ameen smith // Oct 4, 2007 at 9:15 am
I would like to order for new sidekick LX I love it that wide screen it’s so perfect for me to vision….
8 Wayne Danforth // Oct 5, 2007 at 1:43 am
I been used sidekick part I,II,III at the past ,but not happy with fonts and poor picture. I am still happy with blackberry 8700 because of fonts and great beautiful pictures.
9 DLN // Oct 5, 2007 at 7:24 am
Looks great…sure hope Danger gets the hearing aid compatible situation right this time…!
10 bearlady // Oct 5, 2007 at 10:18 pm
I want to know what about MSN, ICQ,AIM,YAHOO MESSENGER?
What about Email Aol or Aim, MSN or hotmail?
What about TDD communicate to TDD pager?
What about Protection virus AUTO????
What about camera pager?
What about more other details ?
11 ZULAIRA DIAZ // Oct 6, 2007 at 3:07 am
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE NEW PAGER THAN OLD PAGER IS WORTHY IS LOOKS COOL WISH TO HAVE PINK ON MY SK LX LOLZ.. HOPE IS BETTER IMPROVING????
12 RAM // Oct 9, 2007 at 9:46 am
How about unbreakable?? So I dont have to worry about it if I would drop it just like blackberry
13 rosalind berry // Oct 13, 2007 at 4:50 am
i would like buy one as soon pls let me know bec when everything start modl pls let me know i wuld buy one thnkyu
14 Jordan // Oct 13, 2007 at 1:01 pm
I’m pretty conflicted about the sk lx
i really wanted the sidekick 3 for awhile
but now obviously i’d rather have the lx
recently im wondering if it’s worth it
someone with a sidekick already …
are you satisfied with it?
15 vcxvcxv // Oct 16, 2007 at 6:54 pm
help! should i choose the blackberry curve or sidekick lx? my mom just said go with what ever i won’t. and i’m only 12, i can’t make the decision on my own!
16 vcxvcxv // Oct 16, 2007 at 6:55 pm
please help me decide! write a comment and tell me please!
17 TPE // Oct 16, 2007 at 7:22 pm
I had the SK2 and SK3 now and I love it. Great for texting! But Poor picture quality, Only reason why I’m carrying other phone lol. I hope they do make video capibility added to the LX, it would totally be awesome. Everyone here owns a iPHONE, I can’t wait to be one of a few owners here with the Sidekick LX. I’m so gettin’ it when it comes out!!
18 Guy Graybill // Oct 18, 2007 at 5:29 pm
i have sk3 t mobile my home area on mountain not signal not enough just back to forth signals bit weak it . and i am think about later or soon buy a t mobile or sprint blackberry need strong singal i hope sooo . i would like same like sk3 email free and textmessgage free but i dont know if sprint and t mobile black berry has add email and text messgage a cost i not sure . if you know find out let me know a send to message . i am only deaf thank you . smile
19 lia // Oct 21, 2007 at 9:29 pm
hi everyone! i just got my new phone SIDEKICK LX! it’s so awesome. but one problem thing is sidekick lx dont have ip-relay and i711 wireless. now i am pissed off. i need them in it and its very important for deaf and hard of hearing. i am deaf. or do you know any about this like download it or something?
thanks
20 Robert // Oct 22, 2007 at 6:35 am
I am looking for lowest price so I can afford. i can’t wait want see Sidekick LX. I heard sidekick 3 sale for 99 dollars. I have problem with sidekick II no siginal several time,sick of it.
21 prettylilhoe // Oct 22, 2007 at 11:07 am
GWow ths SK LX is bout to cum out but I wnt tha purple 1 tho is looks omg so fukin G00d
22 JOJO // Oct 23, 2007 at 2:56 pm
I just got the sidekick LX today. I updated my Razr phone for it last week and finally got the shipment in this afternoon…. DON”T WASTE YOUR TIME!!!! I’m shipping it back to them tomorrow. I hate it… new video quality no pic quality nothing. For what you pay for it, its not worth it. Its the worst piece of plastic I have ever seen. The sidekick 3 design is better then this SKLX its just the worst design I have ever seen. When I took it out the box I seriously thought I was taking out a dummy phone… SERIOUSLY>>> no way.. I’ll be going with the blackberry curve.
23 deaf traveller // Oct 23, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Sidekick LX is the best ever I have. Higher Res Screen than before even you can change the Font size. For Built in Camera, it is same as Sidekick 3, it’s 1.3 meg. you should look at this. Even it is thinner than SK 3. If anyone prefer SK 2 over SK 3 then you would like SK LX.
24 kim // Oct 23, 2007 at 8:17 pm
I went to Tmobile store today evening to check out devices such as BB curve and sidekick. Even though, BB has everything I like, but the problem keyboard is so tiny and I have tendonitis in my right thumb. I tried to type on BB for several times, my right thumb could not handle it. Unless BB could design a better keyboard system, I’d rather get SK LX for now. My thumbs have no problem with SKs.
25 kim // Oct 23, 2007 at 8:19 pm
“Now T-Mobile will be releasing the sixth model in the Sidekick line on October 24th. ”
Umm, well, so far I remember:
B&W SK 1
Color SK 1
SK 2
SK 3
SK LX
It makes SK LX as the fifth model, not the 6th model. FYI
26 kim // Oct 23, 2007 at 9:57 pm
never mind. I realized that about sk ID.. so therefore, tmobile has to represent the 6th model.
27 ASH // Oct 25, 2007 at 6:29 am
i just got da sidekick lx yesturday on da release day..
and i love it so far tmobile really did a good job on the phone .. it may have almost the same features as 3 from what i know but the screen is so much sharper.. u CAN picture message the internet is wayyy fast than my sisters 3 and just overall appearance is sooo nice!!!
i love how the corners light up i got the blue one and im just inlove with it..
even the box of the sk lx was really nice.. good presentation on it
28 Dee // Oct 25, 2007 at 9:49 am
I just got my SK LX yesterday and I love it! The screen is amazing and to me the only downfall is the keypad, which varries from the ID/SK3 and takes some getting used to… the vibration is stronger and the LED lighting around the edges helps a lot- def. worth the money!
Dee
29 Abigail // Oct 25, 2007 at 10:40 am
I wanna one that.
So, that g00d f0r this 0f sk4 LX? well I need made sure of this what doing of in sk4 Lx?
I want vp put it 0n sk4 LX. but I dont know about that.
30 manuel // Oct 28, 2007 at 9:50 pm
I heard the new sidekick lx. is that good still running sidekick lx?? . I would like it .
31 kim // Oct 29, 2007 at 4:21 pm
I got LX on Oct 24 as well. I love it except for keypad which it is little bit hard. I prefer “glass” keyboard (SK 3 keyboard). That’s allright. I accept it.
I know SLIDE has glass keyboard.
32 alex sk lx fa // Nov 26, 2007 at 2:42 pm
i got the sk lx blue and i love it the camara has the same mega pixel as the sk3 but i think its a different camara brand because the camara throws way better pictures then the sk3 the screen is beautiful and i love the things u can do on the phone, the internet is faster then all the old sk’s .the lights are cool i love the blue lights on the side, i love that i can put my ipod headphones to this which makes the songs sound really loud like the ipod. IT DEFF wortht he price i paid $368
33 MARVENE // Dec 3, 2007 at 7:37 pm
I JUST GOT SK LX LAST WEDNESDAY, I LOVE IT, THEY ARE WAY ALOT MUCH BETTER THAN SK 1, SK2 AND SK3. THE CAMERA , WHOA WHEN I TAKE PICK THEY ARE VERY CLEAR . I AM SURE WHOSEVER WANT A NEW SK LX WILL BE HAPPY FOR YOU.
34 elreal G // Dec 14, 2007 at 5:43 pm
went would other colors come out…
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