Your 3G Sidekick LX questions, answered

Does the new T-Mobile Sidekick have Wi-Fi? What about YouTube videos? Turn-by-turn directions? How much is it without a contract? Read on for the answers.

Any Wi-Fi on the device, or have they still not gotten it together that we want Wi-Fi?
Besides 3G and GPS, Wi-Fi is probably the most-requested Sidekick feature—and sadly, no Wi-Fi on the new LX (check out my hands-on report here). That's a shame, because speedy though T-Mobile's 3G network is, I've noticed spotty coverage on my LX review unit—especially indoors—and built-in Wi-Fi would be a handy addition. Why no Wi-Fi? Good question.

Can you watch YouTube and other videos on the Sidekick?
Yes indeed—just visit YouTube's mobile site on the Sidekick's Web browser, click on a video, and playback begins automatically. You can also transfer MPEG4/H.264 videos onto the Sidekick's microSD memory card.

How is the GPS? Turn by turn directions?
GPS on the new Sidekick is pretty accurate—outdoors, it pinpointed my position right down to my backyard, although indoors the GPS receiver couldn't get a fix. No turn-by-turn directions, at least for now, although you do get Microsoft Live Search for finding nearby businesses and getting point-to-point (if not not turn-by-turn) directions.

What about an accelerometer? And could we install third-party mobile browsers?
Nope, no accelerometer, and while you could theoretically install Opera Mobile or another third-party browser on the LX, T-Mobile has yet to offer any on the Sidekick download catalog.

If you take a picture on your Sidekick LX, can you set that picture as the wallpaper/background?
You know, I've long been a big fan of the Sidekick user interface, but I've always been puzzled that you can't use snapshots as wallpapers or screensavers, and the LX is no exception. You can buy themes and backgrounds over the Sidekick's download catalog, but they'll cost you $2.99 and $1.99 each, respectively.

How is the speaker volume during calls? You can't hear anything on the old Sidekicks.
Pretty loud, if you ask me. I cranked it all the way up and the sound is just shy of ear-splitting, and the LX's slimmer profile makes it easier to hold the phone to your cheek, with the speaker right by your ear. The speakerphone does the trick too, although it's a bit tinny for my taste.

How does the screen come out? Does it do that pivot thing, or does it slide upward?
As with older Sidekick models (except for the Motorola-made Slide), the LX's display spins around and up, revealing the QWERTY keypad beneath. Unfortunately, as I mentioned in my hands-on post, the display on the LX can be tricky to snap open; after some trial and error, I got the best results by nudging the small ridge on the bottom left of the display out, rather than up, with my thumb.

Nice phone, but what's the cost for the 3G data service? The phone's $199 price tag is the least of your worries. It's the monthly charge that kills you.
Here's the official word: If you get the LX with a voice plan, you can get unlimited Web surfing and 400 text messages for $24.99 a month, or $34.99 for unlimited Web and texting. Without a voice plan, you'll pay $44.99 (for unlimited Web and 400 messages) or $54.99 (unlimited Web and texting).

How much does it cost without a contract?
The good news is that you can get the LX without a contract, but prepare to shell out $449.99 for the privilege; for the discounted $199 price, you'll have to sign a two-year service agreement with T-Mobile.

Would people be able to buy this phone pre-paid. like with the usual Sidekick plan of paying $1 a day for unlimited texting, IM, and Web?
Indeed you can, although you'll have to cough up $449.99 to get the new LX without a contract.

Is it worth upgrading from a Sidekick LX?
Yes, I think so. In my review of the original LX, I bemoaned the lack of speedy 3G access, GPS, and streaming videos/music—and the new LX solves all those problems in one fell swoop, for $100 less than the first ($299 with contract) LX. Also, don't forget the updated display (a whopping 854-by-480 pixels, compared to just 400 by 240 on the original) and upgraded camera (3.2MP and auto-focus, although image quality still isn't as sharp as I'd like). If you don't mind spending more money after barely a year and a half with the old LX, I'd make the jump.

Now, for those considering the LX over, say, the iPhone or the T-Mobile G1, I'd consider the fact that the Sidekick still doesn't have a touch display, and that its Web browser is showing its age; also, the Sidekick's download catalog isn't nearly as extensive as the iPhone App Store or the G1's Android Marketplace.

That said, there's no question that the LX is a major improvement over its predecessor.

More questions? Post 'em below.