T-Mobile is playing by "IGBYGB" rules?

I am sorry and this is not directly Sidekick (4G or any other model) relate but in an indirect way it is!

If you have been a long time Sidekick user you are surely frustrated at MS' move to buy Danger Inc. and now the fact that T-Mobile is (forced to?) discontinuing your Sidekick specific services.

At the same time for many of us "SK users" there seemed to be "light at the end of the tunnel" when the Sidekick 4G Android based phone was announced. Many of us thought wow, there is something we can move on to after all. We pretty much "knew" after some time that our so precious $19.99 all-you-can-eat DATA & TEXT packages were doomed, as they have been for years now, for new "signup-ees". Yet we it seemed maybe there is hope as various blog sites including my own calls to 611 (numerous of times) indicated that long time SK users would be eligible for special promotions and discounts.

Well having talked to customer service (611) and loyalty department now about 4 hours total in the past 2 weeks, and having purchased two SKs in my local corporate store on two different numbers, I can say there is ZERO consistency within T-Mobile right now. Not only does not one department have any clue what the other department is offering/promoting. One prime example is the screen-shot (and link by clicking on it) above. This was tweeted on April 28th no-one within T-Mobile sales was able to located such a package and insisted that I had misunderstood something! 

Now if you start looking at the numbers you will soon realize that T-Mobile is just shuffling figures around to distort the true picture! For instance if you take a look at T-Mobile current Family Plans you will notice that all and any plans that have DATA included also have UNLIMITED TEXTing included. Including the "low end" ones I chose to include in the screen-shot below (clickable picture takes you to their site):

So why is this important? Well remember the $19.99 all-you-can-eat DATA and text plan mentioned above? Well it appears that T-Mobile is CLAIMING to be grandfathering these to some Sidekick 4G users. However with a twist they charge for TEXT. For instance long time Sidekick user Mike Chapman  /ncmacsl was one that got treated to such a "deal" and while he seems to be perfectly content with it, to me it is just added proof how T-Mobile is joggling numbers around to their benefit and to create a vast smoke screen to the users!

When I called in to check what my options are for some cheaper monthly plan from the $80+ I originally signed on for with 500 minutes and 5GB ($30) data plan, I too was presented with a $10 option where they would "give" me the data not for $30 but for $20 however after he talked about a number of other things he at the end added "there will be a $10 fee for unlimited texting"bringing the end total to the exact same figure! At this point I finally then got the information about the VB (voice barred) package for $49.99 (after pushing for alternatives or&informing him I would "have to leave" T-Mobile if not) and this is what I am on currently as of the past five days. But now I run into this information:

This (if accurate?) would not only indicate that they in fact do allow for $19.99 data packages for the SK 4G (as was 100% denied to me over at TMo Loyalty Department, indicating "If I could do it for you I would") but even that they are allowing DATA ONLY packages not even at the 2004 price rate of $29.99 but even lower!?

T-Mobile at this point I feel you need to do some explanations as to what is up with you UP FRONT PUBLIC plans & rates and the ones you offer "behind closed doors" (read when people call in and really threaten to leave you!)

I am sure this all has to do with the AT&T acquisition pending and the half a million customers having left T-Mobile the first quarter of this year:

But frankly that should be of no concern to the consumer / user (not at this time nor frankly at any point). These HIDDEN PLANS and offerings are just creating a jungle that it appears not even T-Mobile internally has any clue what they are up to. To me it just seems like everyone there is running in their own direction prior to the ship sinking!? Seems to be a case of IBGYBG if you ask me!

Official date for the Sidekick 4G given as April 20th!

So exactly a week after Radio Shack decided to make the April 20th date known publicly T-mobile finally has stated in the tweet you can see above, that  the new Sidekick 4G will indeed be available starting the 20th of this month.

Can you wait? 

Danger's last Sidekick LX 09 compared to Samsung's first Sidekick 4G

On GSMarena's page you can compare the Danger designed T-Mobile Sidekick LX 09 with the new Samsung made T-Mobile Sidekick 4G:

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.