On May 13^th, T-Mobile USA, Inc. launched the latest Sidekick LX™.  The Sidekick LX features 3G for faster data speeds and enhanced mobile access to popular networking sites, as well as improved video capabilities and GPS-enabled Live Search. Manufactured by Sharp Corporation, the hardware features a 3.2” high resolution (854x480 pixels) FWVGA flip screen, 3.2 megapixel camera with auto focus, flash, color & light settings, and spacious QWERTY keyboard.  Also, its brilliant screen and thin design is the very first to be delivered on a Sidekick.    

The Sidekick LX comes equipped with a suite of free applications, which includes MySpace™, Facebook™, Twitter™, and Live Search that will be automatically downloaded to the device. It provides quick and easy access to all your favorite social networking sites.  The GPS-enabled Live Search application lets you map your current location, get directions to a friend’s house, search for movie show times or check on real-time traffic.  The social applications can be found in the “Communities” folder of the main Jump screen, and the Live Search application resides in the “Applications” folder on the main Jump screen of the device.    

New Software and Feature Improvements*

The Sidekick LX includes Powered by Danger software and service upgrades to further enhance your mobile experience. Below is a list of what’s new on the Sidekick LX.

• Performance improvements: Browse the Web or get your email with optimized attachments at 3G speeds.
•  Built-in GPS support with Live Search: Users can now get directions, search for their favorite restaurants or map their current locations anytime, anywhere.
•  Web Browser: Now with high resolution and YouTube video streaming capabilities.
•  Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) enhancements: Users can now send audio postcards - including text and clips they record themselves – to other MMS-enabled phone.
• Media Player: Store your favorite streaming media links or play MP3 sound files and set them as ringtones.
• Camera/Video: Upload your favorite videos to sites like MySpace and YouTube.        
• Simultaneous voice & data – Take phone calls or respond to emails and IM while surfing Web.  (in 3G network coverage only)
• Instant Messaging: Enhanced features and functionalities in some of the IM clients may include animated buddy icons support, photosharing, and invisible mode capabilities.*

*Use of some features may cause customers to incur additional charges.  See T-Mobile.com for rate plan information, charges for features and services, and other details.

As an added bonus, T-Mobile is now offering a Friends & Family discount. For new T-Mobile customers, the new Sidekick LX will be $99 with a 2 year contract.  To order, simply call 1-866-464-8662.  Press option 3 (for new service) to speak to a T-Mobile representative who can check your eligibility status and who can help you place an order.  Make sure you mention the “Sidekick 2009” promo code in order to take advantage of the discount.  If you’re an existing T-Mobile customer, pricing for the device will vary based on how long you have had your contract.  For more information, visit www.T-Mobile.com.

 To learn more about the new Sidekick LX, check out www.sidekick.com

Now you can enjoy Photobucket right on your Sidekick.  You can upload your photos & videos directly to your album, share your photos & videos with everyone you know, browse the billions of fun photos on Photobucket and more!

Need more space to buy that game, application or theme you’ve been eyeing?  Well, your Sidekick/hiptop life just got better!  The uninstall feature on your device lets you save items that you’ve already purchased without taking up additional storage space.  When you’re ready to use that uninstalled application again you can reinstall anytime, at your leisure, for free.  Now that’s bang for your buck!  

Never used the uninstall/reinstall feature on your device?  No problem.  We’ve got you covered with our simple “how to guide”.  

Step 1 – Uninstalling an application 

1)       Within the Catalog, scroll and select “Downloads”

2)       From the Downloads screen, open the item you wish to uninstall

3)       Open the item details screen and select the Uninstall button (located on the bottom right hand corner)

       4)       The application is now uninstalled and can be reinstalled at a later time

Tip - items that are uninstalled will be denoted in italics

Step 2 – Reinstalling an application

1)       Select the Reinstall button on the application’s details screen

2)       An Applications Ready dialog box will appear.  Based on when you would like to receive the application you can select either “Install & Restart” or “Install Later”

3)       Your device will reboot itself and your reinstalled application will appear in the category section of the Jump screen

Tip - If you select “discard” instead of “uninstall”, item(s) will need to be repurchased in order to have it reinstalled. 

Why ponder over that new game or background due to lack of space?  The uninstall feature is available for managing your games, applications, backgrounds and themes. Check out your Uninstall feature today! 

Tony Hawk is bringing skateboarding, BMX and freestyle Moto-X across the country this summer in the sixth annual Boom Boom HuckJam, presented by T-Mobile Sidekick. Come out for the giant halfpipe action then join in the fun yourself. Check the official website for tour dates, locations and more info.

Did you know there’s a better way of searching for that particular ringtone, game or background? Well, life just got simpler. In addition to all the standard features that the devices offer, there is also a special feature to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Why waste time scrolling down the list to locate that artist or game? Use your “find” feature to instantly locate it.

Doing a find on your Sidekick/hiptop is easy. Simply do the following:

1. From within the Catalog, press Menu
2. Select “Find” from the menu (see sample screen below)
3. Enter the name of the artist/song, game/app or background/theme (see sample screen below)

Here are some tips on how you can find what you’re looking for.

• “Find” allows users to search for titles, so a user should try “Sonic” and not “Action” or “Game”.

• Searches are not case sensitive. 

• Vary your search for added results. If you’re looking for a song by Kanye West try using terms such as Kanye or K. West to broaden your results.

• The Find feature provides results for the entire catalog. Type in Sonic and results will include Sonic related games, backgrounds and themes.

So, now that you’re in the know with what your device has to offer, give your “Find” feature a try today! Feature availability varies by device(s) for each operator. Check your device for further details.

You might be a bit busy to hop on a bus and follow musicians around to hotspots around the country, but thanks to the Sidekick Roadies, you don't have to. Check in with Ed and Dave as they blog from the bus, on the road with the 50th Grammy Celebration Concert Tour, presented by T-Mobile Sidekick.Check out the tour site for the as-it-happens updates on the roadie blog, live concert video streams, photos and more as the tour rolls through Chicago, New York, Miami, Dallas and Los Angeles.If you happen to live in these 5 cities, you can even visit a couple local T-Mobile shops for your chance to win tickets to these exclusive events. If you own a Sidekick, even better: you have a chance to win VIP tickets to the concerts! (See the Web site for locations and details.)

In the latest episode of Strong Bad's Teen Girl Squad, Cheerleader counts on her Danger-powered devices as she turns to plan TXT to save Valentimes:

Plan TXT starts at 2:19.

What is your Danger-powered device saying behind your back? According to msnbc.com, it's projecting "hip, glam and constant connection." The article also notes that uers are "tech-savvy and always in the know with what’s hot."

Meanwhile, The Brisbane Times takes a look at the hiptop Slide and gives this warning: "But put one in the hands of any cyber-savvy youngster and then try to prise it from their grip. You won't do it without a fight."

Heading down under to Australia, we find rising star Xy playing games with - and in - his Danger-powered device. Check out the full video:

You've seen those T-Mobile commercials and thought you could do better. Now is your chance to put their money where your mouth is - T-Mobile has again teamed up with Current.com and is challenging you to produce a Sidekick spot. Tell your tale of always being connected and Current broadcasts your creation you'll cash in for $1,000.

Get all the details at Current.com.