Here is what Boy Genius Reports on the Sidekick 4G

Another well known blog Boy Genius Report aka BGR has had it's hands-on with the Sidekick 4G and another 30 pictures for you to enjoy

Here is what BGR says:

"As tech writers we get to play with a ton of phones, but nothing really takes us back to our high school days like playing with a Sidekick — and we just had a chance to sit down with the first one powered by Android. Built by Samsung, the Sidekick 4G features Android 2.2 (Froyo) and, despite our initial fears that it would be a lackluster device compared to the high-end beauties recently announced, we were pretty pleased with what the Sidekick 4G offers. It includes a horizontal-slider form factor, a throwback QWERTY keyboard with rounded keys, and more power under the hood than any Sidekick before it.  Hit the jump for our hands-on with the Sidekick 4G, and some initial impressions.

The Sidekick 4G is powered by a 1Ghz Cortex A8 Samsung Hummingbird processor, so unlike previous models that had a feature phone feel, the Sidekick 4G has enough kick to keep up with T-Mobile’s high-end smartphones. It felt well built and its display hinge felt very sturdy when we popped it open to reveal the keyboard. Moving around the custom user interface was fluid and fun, but we think tweens and teens will probably enjoy the colorful UI a bit more than we did. The Sidekick 4G has a 3-megapixel camera but sadly, it lacks a flash. For those up on video-chatting, however, there’s also a front-facing camera.

Overall, the Sidekick 4G felt light in the hand and well built, but it also reminds us a bit more of a feature phone than a smartphone. That’s OK, though, given that it has the power of a smartphone with the features users expect from a Sidekick: Easy and quick messaging with a great keyboard and a fun user interface."

AT&T says: "T-Mobile 3G phones will need to be replaced"

So as expected the pending AT&T and T-Mobile deal will indeed mean that there will no longer be an AT&T and T-Mobile specific 3G data hardware. AT&T will "over time" as they put it replace the hardware that the T-Mobile network uses currently.

While this might have a good implication in that it would simplify the somewhat fragmented mobile hardware market in the USA currently, it will also have negative implications such as any older device you might feel attached to from T-Mobile will just no longer work, for anything but voice and oldschool (E)GPRS data.

AT&T stated today Monday that: "T-Mobile subscribers with "3G" phones will need to replace those to keep their wireless broadband service working. But there will be plenty of time to do that. Some time after the closing, it plans to rearrange how T-Mobile's cell towers work. The airwaves they use for third-generation services, or 3G, will be repurposed for 4G, which is faster. That would leave current T-Mobile phones without 3G. They would need to be replaced with phones that use AT&T's 3G frequencies. Ralph de la Vega, AT&T's head of wireless and consumer services, said this will happen as part of the normal phone upgrade process.

"There's nothing for them to worry about ... it will be done over time, in a way that's good for customers and good for AT&T," de la Vega said in an interview.

The whole process will take several years, he said.

T-Mobile Sidekick 4G first look video in HD!

Here is a first look HD video of the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G Android phone.

Looking really good, or what do you think?

The new Android-powered smartphone pays tribute to its heritage with stylish good looks and a killer keyboard while redefining messaging and upgrading to 4G speeds. As one of T-Mobile’s fastest smartphones running on America’s Largest 4G Network1, the new Sidekick 4G is capable of delivering theoretical peak download speeds up to 21 Mbps.

T-Mobile’s Sidekick has long been known for its innovative and noticeable design, and the Sidekick 4G does not disappoint. The 3.5-inch display marks the first Sidekick to feature a touch screen and its sturdy “pop-tilt” hinge reveals the previously acclaimed, five-row QWERTY keyboard that has long been a Sidekick hallmark and the reason behind its status as an exceptional messaging device.

The new Sidekick 4G offers several other unique features to enhance messaging and the functionality of the device:

Group Text - lets customers create, name, manage and participate in reply-all group text conversations, enabling them to lead their social network in planning and conversation.

Cloud Text - provides users the option to text with friends or groups from the comfort of their PC’s large screen and keyboard. All messages are synchronized between the Web App and their new Sidekick 4G.

Social Media - Facebook and Twitter applications are preloaded for easy interaction with social networks, with features such as status updates straight from the notification pane and browse feeds from the home screen. Users can also sync social network contacts to the phone’s address book, which lets them instantly post to their friends’ walls or comment on a status.

Jump Key - multitasking is easier than ever with the Jump Key, an easy to access physical button that enables customers to quickly switch between active applications or assign keyboard shortcuts to favorite functions or applications.

Sidekick UI – a custom-designed User Interface brings Sidekick style to life, including artist designed wallpapers, themes and ringtones and many custom SMS capabilities like Sticky Widget, Notification Pop-Up, Universal Composer and more.

In addition to a communication hub, the new Sidekick 4G is now an entertainment hub. With speeds as fast as home broadband, enjoying a TV show or surfing the Web on-the-go is a breeze. Sidekick’s Media Room features one place to enjoy music, videos, movies, YouTube, T-Mobile TV, Slacker Radio and search for content regardless of the source. The integrated media player, also accessible through the media room, spans all media including music, video and Internet radio.

Complementing the messaging communication features, the new Sidekick 4G is equipped with a VGA front-facing camera and pre-installed T-Mobile Video Chat powered by Qik to ensure a constant presence within the social circle. Powered by Android 2.2 (Froyo) and a speedy 1 GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird processor, customers can keep up with their favorite blogs while on the move, search for the must-try dinner spots and map the way to their next destinations..

Offered exclusively to T‑Mobile customers, the new T-Mobile Sidekick 4G is expected to be available later this spring in two stylish colors: matte black or pearl magenta.  Pricing and availability information will be shared in the coming weeks.

T-Mobile Sidekick 4G high resolution pictures released, ENJOY!

Here are some high resolution pictures of the upcoming T-Mobile Sidekick 4G Android phone. Pictures provided by Samsung click on the pictures for full resolution.