vB Easy Archive - Will Cingular ever compete with the Sidekick??

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Will Cingular ever compete with the Sidekick??
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Posted by: CLERiC_AJ

So will Cingular ever release a phone to compete with the sidekick (form and function without being a PDA phone). I have a 14 year old sister up my *** right now trying to get me to get her a sidekick to use on Cingular. I have repeatedly told her that even if I found an unlocked sidekick she would have very limited functions. She and all her little teeny bopper friends love the sidekick and either have it or want it (her case bc we have Cingular).

The point. Will Cingular ever have anything like the sidekick or can I just keep my current expectations of being dissappointed by their lack of quality phone choices and their incredibly slow pace at bringing new phones to the market?

Posted by: ikjeft1b

A person wants what they want; you can explain the cons of doing it to your sister until you run out of oxygen but I doubt it'll sink in. Since the SideKick is available from T-Mobile on a prepaid plan, you might consider that; prepaid plans aren't a bad way to go when dealing with a teenager.

Which devices get offered is all about marketing. Since Cingular has thus far not shown interest in targeting the market segment(s) to which a SideKick has appeal, I doubt they will in the future.

Posted by: jrwoods

As ikjeft1b said, T-Mo prepaid or have her try the Treo 680.

Prepay might be the way to go since you won't run into crazy overages from a bunch of 1 word text messages...

Posted by: CPcrazyfly

its not Cingular's lack of quality phones, are you serious? its one phone, not a very good one for that, ive had both the SK1 and SK2, niether were worth the hype. teenagers are just so easily influenced. teenagers. how is it that because a teenager wants it, cingular lacks at bringing out quality phones?

Posted by: CLERiC_AJ

I knew I was going to get it for the "quality" line. You are right, that is not the right word. My beef with Cingular is that lately* (past 1.5-2 years) they have been very bad at bringing the "latest" phones to the market. They tend to lag behind everyone else in getting new phones out there, such as the V3i. Usually by the time Cingular releases something it is dated and something better is out there, yet Cingular still puts it at $400.

This is why I asked about the Sidekick, because Verizon now has the VX9900 which is similar** so obviously they want to get into that market, why doesnt Cingular?

Posted by: awesome_sauce

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLERiC_AJ

I knew I was going to get it for the "quality" line. You are right, that is not the right word. My beef with Cingular is that lately* (past 1.5-2 years) they have been very bad at bringing the "latest" phones to the market. They tend to lag behind everyone else in getting new phones out there, such as the V3i. Usually by the time Cingular releases something it is dated and something better is out there, yet Cingular still puts it at $400.

This is why I asked about the Sidekick, because Verizon now has the VX9900 which is similar** so obviously they want to get into that market, why doesnt Cingular?

LG CU500?
Samsung Blackjack?
Cingular 8525?
Treo 680?

And also, I wouldn't hope my breath in hopes for Cingular getting a Sidekick device. Cingular has plenty of quality QWERTY devices, but they SUCK at data plans, and if you do get lucky enough to score a cheaper one be prepared to get a phone call saying you need to pay $40 a month. T-Mobile's main draw is that they are Sidekick exclusive. I'll bet more people on T-Mo have SKs than regular phones.

Posted by: Rcadden

Cingular tried with two LG phones that were in that form factor, and also a Samsung, all with QWERTY and none of them big smartphones, and they all bombed. Also had the 6820. All were more advanced than the Sidekick that was out at the same time as them.

The current Sidekick is awfully expensive for what you get.

Posted by: FLiPinoy9oNe6

[QUOTE=awesome_sauce]LG CU500?
Samsung Blackjack?
Cingular 8525?
Treo 680?QUOTE
Bro, they already have one. Its called the 8125 and the 8525

. much better than the sidekick.

Posted by: fractured

Contrary to pop culture lore, the Sidekick doesn't sell that well. I am too lazy to look for the article on the actual sales, but just like Apple computers, it occupies a very niche market.

Posted by: Marcster

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lurs

Contrary to pop culture lore, the Sidekick doesn't sell that well. I am too lazy to look for the article on the actual sales, but just like Apple computers, it occupies a very niche market.

One niche market they probably never planned on is the deaf.

One of my cousin's is deaf. She has a Sidekick with an unlimited data plan and uses it to keep in touch with her friends.

Posted by: fractured

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcster

One niche market they probably never planned on is the deaf.

I agree with that, but Blackberry and other QWERTY devices also address this. My point is that the Sidekick, save for the design, isn't that unique or popular (globally speaking).

Posted by: ikjeft1b

Quote:

Originally Posted by awesome_sauce

T-Mobile's main draw is that they are Sidekick exclusive. I'll bet more people on T-Mo have SKs than regular phones.

Nope. T-Mobile's "main draw" is price, and the SideKick is also available in the USA through SunCom and in Canada through Fido.

Posted by: i0wnj00

At least for Fido, they did sell those devices but their recent lineup doesn't indicate that they sell (HTs/SKs) or the associated data packages anymore. I imagine some kind of support for existing customers, but it doesn't look like their trying to lure new users for these devices and I can't see Rogers bring them back for Fido since their trying to get UMTS/HSDPA online in more major cities and bring certain service aspects more "in line" with Rogers.

Posted by: Eric5273

See if you can find her an LG F9200. I'm sure there are some stores on the web that still have new ones available at discounted rates, or you could probably find one on ebay. It has a QWERTY keyboard, IM client, and a web email program (AOL, Yahoo, Hotmail), and a lousy camera that's probably about as good as the one on the Sidekick. While it's not as good as a Sidekick, it's probably close, and is definately easier to use as a phone.

Posted by: pen25

lg moto both have the same type of phone. but the same concept of the ipod. people dont want just an mp3 player though maybe an mp3 player might be better then an ipod. fm/bluetooth/voice recording without any extras they want whats fashionable. when us old farts get into the ipods then the ipod craze will be over. just as yuo see the iphone and the zunephone soon to be released. the sk was decent for what it was 3 years ago when i had my sk1.

but as soon as you try the other devices liek the treo or 8125 you realize theres so much more. take her down to the cingular store with a lil mini sd card loaded with mp3's and show her how that one device can do so much more. load it with some rings and what not and then take her to tmo and let her try out that sk3 and then ask about how to get ringtones and have her try to do other things that 8125 can do.

Posted by: ikjeft1b

Quote:

Originally Posted by pen25

lg moto both have the same type of phone. but the same concept of the ipod. people dont want just an mp3 player though maybe an mp3 player might be better then an ipod. fm/bluetooth/voice recording without any extras they want whats fashionable. when us old farts get into the ipods then the ipod craze will be over. just as yuo see the iphone and the zunephone soon to be released. the sk was decent for what it was 3 years ago when i had my sk1.

but as soon as you try the other devices liek the treo or 8125 you realize theres so much more. take her down to the cingular store with a lil mini sd card loaded with mp3's and show her how that one device can do so much more. load it with some rings and what not and then take her to tmo and let her try out that sk3 and then ask about how to get ringtones and have her try to do other things that 8125 can do.

I think you've missed the point entirely. A 14-year-old girl wants a Sidekick, and I'm pretty sure that want isn't fueled by an interest in technical specifications. Giving an 8125 to a kid who wants a Sidekick is bound to be the same kind of disaster that giving a Creative Rio mp3 player to a kid who specifically wanted an iPod is bound to be.

Posted by: roamer1

Quote:

Originally Posted by awesome_sauce

T-Mobile's main draw is that they are Sidekick exclusive. I'll bet more people on T-Mo have SKs than regular phones.

The problem with T-Mobile is that when people "outgrow" the Sidekick and wan something that's more business-oriented or more open, they are a little short on options. Yes, the Dash and the xDAs are nice, but no Treos?

-SC (Sidekick on T-Mobile -> unlocked Treo 650 on T-Mobile -> Treo 650 on Cingular -> Treo 680 on Cingular

)

Posted by: roamer1

Quote:

Originally Posted by i0wnj00

At least for Fido, they did sell those devices but their recent lineup doesn't indicate that they sell (HTs/SKs) or the associated data packages anymore. I imagine some kind of support for existing customers, but it doesn't look like their trying to lure new users for these devices

AIUI, Rogers is phasing the Hiptop out.

-SC

Posted by: ikjeft1b

Quote:

Originally Posted by roamer1

)

I think the real problem is picking a GSM carrier based on branded phone selection. There are some exceptional cases, like data devices that use specific servers (SideKick, Blackberry), but in general, with GSM you should pick the carrier based on things like coverage, rate plan, price, etc. Obviously, if you have T-Mobile and want a Treo, you can have one.

Posted by: roamer1

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikjeft1b

Obviously, if you have T-Mobile and want a Treo, you can have one.

True, but most people are either unaware of the option of unlocked phones or (more commonly) are unwilling to pay the premium that unlocked phones often command.

FWIW, I switched to Cingular not so much because of T-Mobile's lack of Treos -- although that certainly played a factor -- but because of coverage, M2M, corporate discount, etc.

-SC

Posted by: eimajuno

I currently have a Sidekick 3 that I carry along with my Cingular line. I definately think that the SK3 is for the younger crowd with all of its features and such. Its not a smartphone but it has smartphone features. One thing that I have noticed with mine is the reception is very sub par. My house its very hard to grab reception with any carrier but for some reason the SK3 sometimes has trouble grabbing reception out in the open in a high coverage area. I only use mine for data and texts. I could not imagine using it to make calls with the reception so varied.

Posted by: CLERiC_AJ

I am not bashing Cingular for a lack of QWERTY phones, they have plenty of great SMARTPHONES, but as I said this is for a 14 year old girl, I dont think she needs a PDA with Windows Mobile 5.0, etc etc. I might try to track down an LG F9200 if I can, I wish Cingular would release the V6 Maxx, I could probably cell her on that as a music player over a sidekick.

Posted by: reas0n555

Cingular had a chance to compete when they got rid of the att "ogo". It had a ui similiar to the sk,I think no 14 yr old should have a treo,blackberry,and for sure not a wm5 pda,I say get her a prepaid sk its only 1$ a day and you can browse 24/7.have unlimited text. Use aim/yim/msn,have your own email(no need to use a pop3 account)basically there's nothing else that can compete with it ,if we are talking about simple and very functional. Nothing can replace the sidekick

Posted by: nskgti23

Why don't you buy her a video camera that does night vision? We all know girls that love sidekicks put those to good use...

Posted by: RulinSmoove

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLERiC_AJ

So will Cingular ever release a phone to compete with the sidekick (form and function without being a PDA phone). I have a 14 year old sister up my *** right now trying to get me to get her a sidekick to use on Cingular. I have repeatedly told her that even if I found an unlocked sidekick she would have very limited functions. She and all her little teeny bopper friends love the sidekick and either have it or want it (her case bc we have Cingular).

The point. Will Cingular ever have anything like the sidekick or can I just keep my current expectations of being dissappointed by their lack of quality phone choices and their incredibly slow pace at bringing new phones to the market?

get a sk unlocked.

Posted by: nskgti23

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLERiC_AJ

Will Cingular ever have anything like the sidekick or can I just keep my current expectations of being dissappointed by their lack of quality phone choices and their incredibly slow pace at bringing new phones to the market?

Considering Cingular currently has the most diverse selection of phones and possibly the most robust phone available in the US (8525) I would hardly see how they are lacking quality phones. I guess it is a matter of opinion.

Posted by: Superpimp

Quote:

Originally Posted by RulinSmoove

get a sk unlocked.

But the data functions, which is what the person wants it for (IMing, web surfing etc) would not work all "unlocking" really does is allow you to place voice calls and sometimes send text messages

Posted by: pen25

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikjeft1b

not at all. i understand the point. the point is the 14yo hasnt been shown how these other phones are better. instead people just buy them. noone takes the time to enlighten and educate and then let them decide. why i suggested showing the 14yo the other phones and then showing her the sk3. wasnt saying dont show her the sk3. just allowing the 14yo a choice and a little education. BTW good example on the ipod rio. but i went with the zen instead and the 14yo girl loved it. but again it took some time to educate her in realizing there are more things out there then one product line. she realized that for what she got was allot better for her.

Posted by: XninjaR

The SK is a one of a kind device, I hate it but it’s a very unique design that attracts pop culture, due to stupid people in hip-hop who aren’t smart enough to use a PPC or Smartphone device (I am sorry but its true; 50 cent doesn’t exactly show the essence of scholarship).

I don’t know what to tell you man except you cant please a irrational 14 yr old and try to appease her with a device that is the same or better then a SK3, she’s going to want that. If I was in your situation I would explain to her that when I was 14, I didn’t have a cell phone and the sheer fact that she has one is a miracle. I would tell her that she’s spoiled and if she wants one she can get it prepaid at any t-mobile store and pay about a dollar a day. If she inquires as to how she’s going to pay for it explain to her that in the real world people who whine about wanting new things generally find ways to create a revenue, I think they are called jobs. I hope you will be the first to stand up to annoying little siblings as, I cannot, I write like I can but I just bought my little brother a moto a1200 "Ming" because he wants it (still dosent know how to use linux mobile) hopefully you will be a champion for us abused older brothers/sisters/ATM machines everywhere.

Posted by: XninjaR

btw cingular releases awesome phones, t-mo dosent have 3g, no blackjack, no 8525, no treo 680, no lg cu500, no samsung a707, STILL no SLVR (if that is considered an awesome phone). They are seriously behind when it comes to releasing phones. they JUST released the v3i, almost a full 6 months after cingular. they only have a few cool phones one of them is the SK3 and the t809/t629, maybe the "trace" and "dash".

Posted by: ikjeft1b

Quote:

Originally Posted by pen25

No, you missed the point: it's not about which phone is "better"; it's about pleasing a 14 year old.

How many 14 year olds do you deal with? They don't want to be "educated" they want what their friends want and what the "celebrities" they look up to have. At the moment, it's a Sidekick, and I doubt all of the "education" in the world will make a significant dent in that want.

Posted by: secrecyguy

Sidekicks is garbage. I used to have it and I am glad I got rid of it. Check out my chart and you will see why.

http://www.geocities.com/sk3vsbb8100/

If she only wants one because everyone else have one, she doesn't have to do that. In fact, she can find a phone that can do more stuff than the Sidekick and show off her new phone. Than people will say, "Gee... I wish I have that phone instead of the Sidekick!"

Cingular don't need a phone to compete against the Sidekick. In fact, they do have phones that is better than the Sidekick.

I am sure you will find one.

http://www.cingular.com/cell-phone-...smartphones.jsp

Posted by: fractured

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikjeft1b

it's about pleasing a 14 year old... They don't want to be "educated" they want what their friends want and what the "celebrities" they look up to have. At the moment, it's a Sidekick, and I doubt all of the "education" in the world will make a significant dent in that want.

I agree with you in one respect. That aside, as a parent or an adult, doing everything just to please a child/teen isn't the most sound way to raise them; nor should you do everything just to please you. I think one has to find a way to strike an appropriate balance between wants and needs or between pleasing a child and educating a child. A teenager wanting a Sidekick is more about being cool and though one can chase cool, cool changes and that chase can get expensive.

Posted by: ikjeft1b

Oh, believe me, I used to teach... I've dealt with hundreds of 14 year olds (thankfully, no more...). Anyway, you're absolutely right, there's a middle ground that must be walked.

I was aiming at the posts with the "you just show the 14 year old that there's a better phone out there" theme. That kind of approach might work... but it'll definitely be a long, uphill trudge...

Posted by: GregGebhardt

Dosn't the SideKick have cartoon figures on the home screen. Do you really want to look at these everyday? I got to boardroom meetings 3 days a week and the last thing I want it to get caught with a teenage phone with cartoons.

Posted by: Palito

Quote:

Originally Posted by secrecyguy

Sidekicks is garbage. I used to have it and I am glad I got rid of it. Check out my chart and you will see why.

If she only wants one because everyone else have one, she doesn't have to do that. In fact, she can find a phone that can do more stuff than the Sidekick and show off her new phone. Than people will say, "Gee... I wish I have that phone instead of the Sidekick!"

LOL Geez. Not everyone who wants a phone needs a clunky pocket pc/pda phone just because it can do more stuff, specially a 14 yo girl who just wants to text her friends. The sidekick is a good phone for that segment of the market. All the pda/smartphones are targeting a different user

Posted by: pen25

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikjeft1b

Oh, believe me, I used to teach... I've dealt with hundreds of 14 year olds (thankfully, no more...). Anyway, you're absolutely right, there's a middle ground that must be walked.

I was aiming at the posts with the "you just show the 14 year old that there's a better phone out there" theme. That kind of approach might work... but it'll definitely be a long, uphill trudge...

wasnt saying it had to be a you do this or that i was suggesting it as a way to maybe get her away from the sk3 rather then just giving the 14yo something everyone else has. again you missed my point. no kids dont want to be educated. its our duty as fathers/mothers/brothers/sisters to not just roll over to those kids who demand they get what only they want. if they dont want the nokia 6030 cause it isnt cool thats when you hand them the firefly and say ok fine then this is yuor phone. yes i deal with kids not allot but i deal with kids. and there is no middle ground. its the person giving the phone's way or no way at all. same with a car. pisses me off to watch parents give thier kids everything thier kid wants only to ***** moan and complain cause thier kid acts the way they do.

again you take a kid to see the cool stuff such as the 8125 or even the lg 9200 let them know there are more out there then the bick everyone else has and want.

whats funny is when i pul out my jamin and friend's kids say " that thing is awesome. my friends has this cool phone xxx and its what i wanted but hey this thing is cool i want this thing now" and yes i have had them do that.

Posted by: pen25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palito

very true. but if thats all they want then give them the 6030 or compiarable phone cause we all know phones txt.

Posted by: CLERiC_AJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikjeft1b

I was aiming at the posts with the "you just show the 14 year old that there's a better phone out there" theme. That kind of approach might work... but it'll definitely be a long, uphill trudge...

Definitely an uphill battle with her. The problem is that it is all about getting what her friends have and not about finding a better or cooler phone, you could give a 14 year old girl the best phone ever made, but if her friends have something else and that is what is "cool" then that is what she wants.

I am not about to suggest that she is moved from her $9.99 family share cost to a $60.00 per month voice and data T-Mobile plan, and odds are she wont be getting any new phone for her birthday unless the V6 is magically released by Cingular (yeah right).

Really the point is that Cingular tries to target the market the sidekick fills with their little "world's smallest phone" that they have. The PDA phones are great for those who need them, she doesnt nor would she be satisfied with it. Also this is not something she demanded, she just wants it as her birthday gift so I thought I would investigate, at this point I have already told her it wouldnt be happening. Again the problem is that I dont have anything else to offer, PDA phones are not the way to go with a 14 year old girl and its hard to pump up a phone like the V3i over the V3 when it is already outdated and not a drastic improvement. The A707 may be on the table, but we will have to see.

Posted by: fractured

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikjeft1b

Oh, believe me, I used to teach... I've dealt with hundreds of 14 year olds

I still teach and deal with those 14 year olds. I know the territory too well.

Posted by: mindflayer

I work with a few deaf people who live by their Sidekicks - having AIM on their desktops and also on their Sidekicks is a winning combo.

So no, it's NOT only just 14 year olds.

Posted by: m03mckinnie

Well, being 14, I can say this,

Windows smartphones, treo's, and other various PDA's don't appeal to us. We want whatever we think is cool at the time. That's why you see almost every teenager with a RAZR, because it was cool and we made our parents buy it for us. If she wants a sidekick, trust me, she wants a sidekick and nothing more. There is absolutely NOTHING you can do to change her mind. I have always wanted one, and "educating" us about PDA's or smartphones is NOT going to change our mind!

Unfortunately for parents everywhere, the only thing that will make us stop is buying it for us.. just how we are programmed.

Posted by: XninjaR

Quote:

Originally Posted by m03mckinnie

Well, being 14, I can say this,

Windows smartphones, treo's, and other various PDA's don't appeal to us. We want whatever we think is cool at the time. That's why you see almost every teenager with a RAZR, because it was cool and we made our parents buy it for us. If she wants a sidekick, trust me, she wants a sidekick and nothing more. There is absolutely NOTHING you can do to change her mind. I have always wanted one, and "educating" us about PDA's or smartphones is NOT going to change our mind!

Unfortunately for parents everywhere, the only thing that will make us stop is buying it for us.. just how we are programmed.

NICE, so you admit your ignorance, case closed. Man little kids are dumb, what I find funny is that kids want the hottest cell phone out there, why? Because it shows they are cool (wow this is the society we live in, how sad). My point is, in real life your only cool if you have that phone if you could afford it. Cool=money basic principal of life. I’m not going to lie, most of us who use this forum probably spend more extra money on cell phones then the average consumer, however with the exception of Jojo the 14yr old pop star here most of us earn our keep. Whatever, kids are dumb I am going to punch the next 14 yr old I see on the street in the face.

To the guy who started this thread: dude if I were you id tell her to find a way to pay for it on her own (maybe mention that you would pay for half her monthly prepaid bill) and get her a nice sweater vest for Christmas, and put the kibosh on it all.

Posted by: m03mckinnie

Quote:

Originally Posted by XninjaR

Kids are dumb, nice. You don't even know me and you consider me dumb just because of my age. Just because I am 14 does not mean I can't know things. People use this forum for different reasons. I see you get on here to bash people you don't even know. I was just saying it how it is, we're teenagers and it's just how we are, we want what we want. Call it ignorance or whatever you want to call it but I'm pretty sure you were 14 too.

Posted by: closet410

Quote:

Originally Posted by XninjaR

50 cent doesn’t exactly show the essence of scholarship).:

But he is worth millions and has numerous business ventures outside of rap including vitamin water, a book publishing company, films, magazines, etc. that are also worth millions. No scholarship but he is doing something right that most people arent. I'm not a fan or "condoner" but I respect his business sense.

Posted by: ikjeft1b

Quote:

Originally Posted by closet410

I respect the "business sense" of his Business Manager, Agent, Law Firm, Bank, and Investment Firm.

Posted by: UnrealTechno

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLiPinoy9oNe6

LG CU500?
Samsung Blackjack?
Cingular 8525?
Treo 680?
Bro, they already have one. Its called the 8125 and the 8525

. much better than the sidekick.

The CU500 is nothing like a sidekick

8125 and 8525? she's 14...absolutely not

Blackjack...eh...

I agree with a 680 though. it's certainly not as trendy, i bet the threaded sms would probably be cool for the text happy teen...i was one once

Posted by: macfreak

There are many phones that do more than a Sidekick.

But what a Sidekick does, it does simply and more elegantly than any of them. It's the best designed communication OS in the world at this moment.

Not the most robust - but the best designed.

I love/hate my Sidekick. I have tried to retire it three times, but no other device does more with less effort. When one exists, I'll trade.

I also carry a Nokia E61. Beautiful phone, stunning web browser and screen. But browsing, e-mailing, IMing... everything takes five more steps than a Sidekick. It just does.

Posted by: Jeremy Balisong

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikjeft1b

I respect the "business sense" of his Business Manager, Agent, Law Firm, Bank, and Investment Firm.

True that, but thus far he had managed to avoid "one-hit wonder or "album flop" status. that does come somewhat from his persona as well.... and i know your rebuttal... His persona may come from his what his management tells him to do. But, give the same requirements to some normal person off the street with no charisma, and see if he can do it. 50 may not be making all those steps himself, but he definitely has the charisma and the personality of a winner.

Posted by: Palito

Quote:

Originally Posted by macfreak

I also carry a Nokia E61. Beautiful phone, stunning web browser and screen. But browsing, e-mailing, IMing... everything takes five more steps than a Sidekick. It just does.

yep, thats the reality. The sidekick is well designed for what it does. Pocket pc, smarphone, symbian os etc are more flexible, but usability is terrible. with cryptic settings and inconsistent interface.

Posted by: chnky18

the sidekicks are a piece of shite. you can get a 8125 or 8525 and its close to the same form factor and you get a phone that wipes its arse with a sidekick. just my .02

Posted by: ikjeft1b

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy Balisong

No, I wouldn't rebut this at all; in fact, I agree completely. My original point was that the "show" and the "business" are two entirely different beasts. A lot of very talented "show" people wind up poor very quickly because the "business" eats them alive. Few of us get the kind of up-bringing necessary to prepare us for being rich and famous adults, so it takes a cadre of "people" to make sure that you survive fame: I give him total props for his "show" talent and for the "business" sense to pick the right "people".

Posted by: reas0n555

Quote:

Originally Posted by chnky18

the sidekicks are a piece of shite. you can get a 8125 or 8525 and its close to the same form factor and you get a phone that wipes its arse with a sidekick. just my .02

Remeber we are talking about a 14yr old ,I would give a 14yr a 8125 or a 8525,it would be destroyed in a matter of days. I love my sda and think it has so much more than the sk3 but you don't want a 14yr old going rom. Hunting because the browser isn't running correct.

Posted by: chnky18

or better yet, tell a 14 yr old they can have the phone you give them and thats the end of the discussion. I didnt get a cell until I got a car at 16 and it was the nokia "brick". A simple no you cant have a sk is all that needs to be said.

Posted by: zenojones

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPcrazyfly

its not Cingular's lack of quality phones, are you serious? its one phone, not a very good one for that, ive had both the SK1 and SK2, niether were worth the hype. ?

Truthfuly the only thing i will say to back the sk up is that no other device can muti task like it and i have had a bb8700,and 8125 and yeah its fun to expand and all but you can only do one thing at a time how fun is that

Posted by: pen25

ya know i dont think its an actual problem of the sk itself. i think its cause its locked down so tight. youcan only get the ringtones they want you to have. you can only add apps they want you to use. if thats what you want fine go for it. but anyway dont sell a 14yo short. they just might suprise you when you least expect it. a 14yo destroying a pda? not hardly. my e125 is on its 3rd teen and still going strong. IMHO the e125 was the best form factor for gaming.

Posted by: StattlichPassat

T-Mobile and Sidekicks are for kids. Cingular and BlackBerries are the real deal.

Posted by: Lil Moshi

Are they getting any phones with qwerty?

Posted by: fractured

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil Moshi

Are they getting any phones with qwerty?

Not that I know of, but I recently got myself an unlock Nokia E70-2 (the American version) and I'm loving it more each day.

Posted by: Lil Moshi

I was looking at that, but isnt that more of a pda phone?

Posted by: m03mckinnie

They actually had a Cingular branded SK2 on ebay, Probably a scam but it actually had cingular branding on it, and it was only availiable for local pick-up.

They said it was "Cingular's prototype model"

Posted by: CoreyTheGent

I always found it pathetic how Motorola just dropped the A630 instead of perfecting it. One of many stupid decisions.

I sometimes think to myself "What would I do if I was put in charge of such and such company?" When it comes to Motorola, one of my first orders of business would be prototyping and proposing a RAZR-thin Sidekick device to Cingular that competes with the aforementioned handset and Verizon's VX-9900.

Then I wake up and go back to whatever I was doing.

Posted by: Lil Moshi

Quote:

Originally Posted by m03mckinnie

They actually had a Cingular branded SK2 on ebay, Probably a scam but it actually had cingular branding on it, and it was only availiable for local pick-up.

They said it was "Cingular's prototype model"

Can I have that link

Posted by: m03mckinnie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil Moshi

Can I have that link

I'm afraid not, the auction was around September-Octoberish. I would have bought it, but I'm in Illinois and there's no way I'm driving to California to pick up a phone..

Posted by: Lil Moshi

Oo did it just look like the sk2 only instead or t-mobile it said cingular? Or was it different?

Posted by: m03mckinnie

It looked like a sidekick 2. Live picture, with Cingular branding. The second I saw local pickup only in California I closed it. Can't seem to find it anymore.

Posted by: m03mckinnie

But, back on topic:

To the OP, just get her a prepaid one on t-mobile. If it doesn't work in your area then you are going to have to tell her that it doesn't, end of story.

Posted by: pen25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil Moshi

Oo did it just look like the sk2 only instead or t-mobile it said cingular? Or was it different?

wouldnt matter anyway since they do not have the danger servers. would be worthless