Sidekick Survey About What’s Important
T-Mobile has hired a third party research firm to question current Sidekick users about what they feel a “Sidekick” really is. The questionnaire asks what defines a Sidekick, what features could or could not be included, and what features/capabilities would be the most satisfying on a device. The features/capabilities in question seem to be:
– D Pad – directional button/keys for navigation
– Easy to hold and type
– Audible sounds when navigating
– Unique, recognizable form factor
– Home key that jumps to the homescreen
– Controls on both the left and right sides
– Phone’s menu is in a “ring” format on the homescreen
– Visual notification of messages and alerts
– Easy to remember shortcut and jump keys
– Big, high definition screen
– QWERTY keyboard
– Unique, recognizable opening mechanism that reveals a keyboard
– Audible opening (aka Hinge sounds)
– Personalizable shells
– Distinctive “look”/silhouette when open
– Flashing/Colorful lights for messages or alerts
– A screen that swivels open to reveal keyboard
– “Best in class” gaming experience
– Fun to use
– An integrated messaging experience (IM, SMS, E-mail)
– Intuitive to use features and functions
– Access to social networking apps
– Ability to have multiple conversations at once
– A download catalog for applications, themes, music
– Desktop PC-like web browsing experience
– Touchscreen
– The ability to quickly navigate through various features and functions
– The ability to “open” the phone with one hand
– Outside dialing without opening the phone
– Wide variety of free and/or paid apps available for dowload
– Single, unlimited data plan
– Secondary display that shows a preview of messages
– Ample storage for messages
– Ability to use a WiFi Internet connection to make phone calls
– Reliable back up of all information on the phone
What do you guys think? Which of these features defines a Sidekick? Which features are important to you? Which ones could be dropped/added to the next Sidekick? If you want to check out all of the pages in the questionnaire, check out the gallery:
June 8th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
This of course my own intepretation and speculative opinion, but from this survey I would guess that T-Mobile are looking to gauge the reaction of what “Sidekick” features users like, and will be trying to find another phone that they can apply the branding to that offers many of the same features, since MSDanger will not be giving them another device.
Personally I’d love an Android-powered Sidekick. The G1 is already like the Sidekick on steroids.
June 8th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Is there a site where we can actually fill out the survey? How are they surveying people? I know the most important things for me.
FREE Download Catalogue
Swivel mechanism that opens to a keyboard
Wi-fi
The buttons and stuff need to stay the same
Back up of all data on server (Don’t get rid of the Desktop Interface, it’s 1 of the things that keeps me using the sidekick)
Alerts and everything
More email space
June 8th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
I love the sidekick 08 but id def like to see the same body but would be nice if it had android, wifi, more selections for the download category (esp ringtones), and text threading. Touchscreen I could live with as long as it still kicked and had the keyboard AND rollball. Damn, they have a lot to work on haha.
June 8th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Definitely a new application catalog
Threaded text
More storage for e-mail (especially since this is a messaging device),
Customized backgrounds (without buying a $6.99 theme architect app),
A re-modeled home and sub-folder screen (The bubbles are getting kind of old)
A much improved browser
wifi.
Everything else is fine.
June 8th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
You can already do custom backgrounds for free without needing any application: https://www.sidekick-themes.com
June 8th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Why do people want threaded texts? You can’t save or forward threaded text. I can do without threaded texts
June 8th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I love everything about the kick and the way it works. All I would do is add some featues that I became comfortable with on the G1.
Touch screen. Its funny because I let people use my phone and the first thing they do…..is touch the screen lol
Auto-rotate. I loved that I was able to use the G1 vertically with one hand. I think that would be awesome.
More storage for emails, and threaded text.
I would not eliminate anything from a sidekick, but these features from the G1 would be nice additions
June 8th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I agree with you 100% bro
June 8th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
You can forward a single text in a threaded conversation. I’ve done it before on the G1.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
If they ever do make a touch-screen Sidekick, I would like it to have an accelerometer and when held vertically (trackball down, screen closed) a numerical keypad would appear for text messages… there are some times that I would prefer easier one-handed texting.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
and what are they going to do with this?
June 8th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
I’m assuming that they are observing normal scientific research procedure and will sample a random selection of the population, but how are they contacting the people that they chose? I’d love to participate in this study.
This is a very interesting post and I hope we see a follow up to it.
June 8th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
-FLASH! (If its possible please)
-improved browser with tabs
-wi-fi
-bluetooth earpiece voice recognition dialing and incoming call name playback (able to hear the person who’s calling name through the earpiece).
“F” threated text! Don’t need it, don’t want it, had bad experince from it.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Flash & full java would be AWESOME. A touch screen would be nice ONLY if we could still keep the full QWERTY keyboard underneath for typing. Like the touch screen would have a keyboard too once you go into the text/aim/browser/email applications & the user could choose which keyboard to use. Tabbed browsing would rock. Turn-by-turn gps navigation would rock as well.
Please keep the multitasking ability, the back end data storage, & the task bar alerts.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
To me, the BIG full qwerty keypad and the super AIM application that notifies you is why I still use the Sidekick. Did you guys know the Sidekciks are the ONLY smartphones that allow you to enter AIM buddy chatrooms? If I couldn’t do this on a sidekick, I’d be extremely upset, because yes… I use the buddychatrooms a lot.
To me, I think this survey makes clear that T-Mobile is wanting to know, directly from us Kickers, what makes a Sidekick because Danger isn’t going to be making the next one. Will they reattach the name to an already existing device? I don’t think so. I think they’re planning on taking the input and hiring some manufacturer to make them a new Sidekick. Here’s to hoping Sharp’s still in the running. If not, I think HTC might be someone they’re looking at.
Either way, I think they’re at least treating the Sidekick as a flagship device that deserves their upmost attention, and even though Danger may be out of the running, I have high hopes that the next guys carrying the baton are going to be good.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Seriously though… where is this actual survey? And/or how can WE fill it out???
June 8th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
I’m sorry to say this, but a touch screen does NOT belong on a Sidekick. The Sidekick is already easy to navigate enough with the trackball. The touch screen would just be a gimmick and kinda useless, if you really think about it.
What the Sidekick really needs, however, is a tabbed web browser. I’m tired of having to switch back and forth between webpages on mine. You’d think the would’ve come up with that by now…
June 9th, 2009 at 7:15 am
I love what the sidekick has to offer.
Threaded text or not, they need to have more storage for them.
Only being able to see 100 (130) at a time gets old.
And email could have more storage.
TOUCHSCREEN would come in handy especially with accelerometer.
Flash & full Java would be a dream come true.
Androd-powered would be good too…
(You can already make your own ringtones with the 2009)
I mean is this really asking to much? Haha
June 9th, 2009 at 7:20 am
I love what the sidekick has to offer.
Threaded text or not, they need to have more storage for them.
Only being able to see 100 (130) at a time gets old.
And email could have more storage.
TOUCHSCREEN would come in handy especially with accelerometer.
Flash & full Java would be a dream come true.
Androd-powered would be good too…
And tabbed web browser.
(You can already make your own ringtones with the 2009)
I mean is this really asking to much? Haha
June 9th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Heath, MSDanger own the patents for the proxy system they use which is what allows the SK AIM client to function the way it does. They also own the patent to the flip motion.
If T-Mobile brands another device as a Sidekick without MSDanger involvement, you can say goodbye to both those things.
June 9th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
whoever can take the survey can you put good things so if they deside to use your ideas they will make a better kick plz
June 9th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
and where can anyone else take the survey??
plz answer!!
June 9th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
HEY HIPTOP 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, go to youtube and type in sidekick lx 2009 colors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, its freakin crazy!!!
June 9th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
que gay!!
June 9th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
i want the same kid
June 10th, 2009 at 9:59 am
I agree with you! Touch screen phones always tend to freeze alot and get annoying after a while. Trust me i had my share of touch screen while i was rockin the sidekick on prepaid. (MDA, Wing, and G1)
June 10th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
who has taken the survey?
June 10th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
You might noticed some of my answers in the images 😉
It was a random survey where they asked if I wanted to answer questions about the Sidekick to maybe win $200. I said yes.
June 13th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
what site did you take it on?
June 13th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
The G1 allows me to forward messages just fine.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:05 am
you hate touchscreen phones because the phones that had touchscreens you mentioned are crap. get a phone with a great touchscreen and then say they are crap. and no im not just talking about the iphone.
June 20th, 2009 at 6:29 am
Looks like the first poster is right. The next sk might not be made by danger. It may also not have the aim proxy (which means good bye chatrooms and still being signed on the subway), and flip motion, since ms owns those pantents BUT it also means no more shitty web browser!
It seems like the next sk will have touchscreen. People want it so bad that if usearch sidekick lx on google one of the suggestions are sidekick touchscreen lol. I really hope the next sk is a lot faster and more responsive than the sk09.
Also if the next sk is andriod that would be awesome. We get a better market with more free aps and games (no more paying for an alarmclock or weather) better web browser and even finally threaded texts. Danger os was getting a little dated anyways. (But I will get jealous when ms finally releases msdanger os, you KNOW ms will up the ante a little)
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:34 pm
HD, video call and conferencing, hdd 160GB, qwerty touchscreen keyboard and two double screen touchscreen, 4G unlimited service, porn/professional/adult, movie, closed captioning, TV show. HD camera, HD Film record, night vision, private, rich-3D graphics, Flash, sexy model, free theme. WiFi, xbox live with zune HD, OLED, faster speed, more memory and more chip, more cpu, vibrating wtih movie, games, music, caller ID, free text/pictures messaging, free e-mail, free aol/yahoo/msn/google/spype, but (video chat) video call and conferencing cost one plan $30.00 unlimited 4G service, better powers larger life 24 hour, HD picture, setting language (Spanish, japan, french, more), facebook IM (other), wallpaper. free apps store, micro sd slot, google maps G1… Microsoft office mobile. I like to speak idea new a create model i am deaf a guy…
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:15 pm
HD, video call and conferencing, hdd 160GB, qwerty touchscreen keyboard and two double screen touchscreen, 4G unlimited service, porn/professional/adult, movie, closed captioning, TV show. HD camera, HD Film record, night vision, private, rich-3D graphics, Flash, **** model, free theme. WiFi, xbox live with zune HD, OLED, faster speed, more memory and more chip, more cpu, vibrating wtih movie, games, music, caller ID, free text/pictures messaging, free e-mail, free aol/yahoo/msn/google/spype, but (video chat) video call and conferencing cost one plan $30.00 unlimited 4G service, better powers larger life 24 hour, HD picture, setting language (Spanish, japan, french, more), facebook IM (other), wallpaper. free apps store, micro sd slot, google maps G1… Microsoft office mobile. I like to speak idea new a create model i am deaf a guy…
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:24 pm
it will have winmo before it has android.
July 4th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I really think that a touchscreen would help, so the phone could be held portrait style. this would make it soooo much easier to do stuff one handed. That’s what i want the most from sidek!ck.
July 4th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Are you effin serious??! To do stuff one handed?
The sidekick is definately not for you.
The point of the sidekick is so you won’t have to do things one handed. It makes it easier for the user not to have to use one hand.
Who the hell wants to type with one hand now a days anyways.
July 8th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Hmmmm touch screen would be nice but not for the sidekick. I hope it will have a bigger screen but maybe the phone will be too big. I’m happy with the sidekick how it is, well the new lx , they just should improve on the gps , camera , catalog , web browser and storage space for emails and text. The threaded texting isn’t a big deal for me.
July 9th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
not everyone likes touch screens. and touchscreen definitely DOES NOT define a sidekick. there isnt even a touchscreen sk so how would that have anything to do with an sk. personally i say touchscreen and sk dont mix. it would make the whole point of the swivel and such obsolete.
July 9th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
seriously people, touchscreen is useless to the sidekick
July 10th, 2009 at 2:16 am
having a touchscreen would not make anything obsolete. phones like the n97 and the x1 both have touchscreens as well as a qwerty keyboard. the good thing about that is, you dont have to open it up all the time to type. to make the sidekick keep with the times (which at the moment its not) is for people to open there minds to new things. the sidekick is seriously getting left behind.
July 17th, 2009 at 7:27 am
ummm it would be better if they lower the price for the new sidekick that might come out and 24 thats a lot for internet in the sidekick lower it to 10 at least faster internet unlimited recording wifi touch screen would be good too more signal strength =)
July 31st, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Hey, I made this survey on Survey Monkey so everyone can take it if you like. If enuff people do then I’ll send the results to hiptop3.com. Enjoy!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=VhlRoqBfK9J8tyvEhmp2gg_3d_3d
August 6th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Y does sk make such powerful phones with such a weak battery. They come with so many features but the battery dies within a few hours. Also u cant talk and charge ur phone simutaniously. Those are my main reasons i no longer enjoy my 09 my 08 lasts longer. Please make sure the battery is strong enough to support everything u offer so we can actually enjoy them.
January 13th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
Omg I would love a touch screen sidekick and I would love if I had more texting storage and were you can use the sk as a modem for your computer I love the keybord and the ball and more free apps like the I phone better colors If ya agree reply oh and a media packages for term papers
January 13th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Omg I would love a touch screen sidekick and I would love if I had more texting storage and were you can use the sk as a modem for your computer I love the keybord and the ball and more free apps like the I phone better colors If ya agree reply oh and a media packages for term papers and more specific lockin application