31 July 2008

T-Mobile’s new Sidekick mobile phone, powered by technology from Microsoft subsidiary Danger, introduces innovative software, services and hardware customisation to the mobile experience.

The new Sidekick features key software improvements including support for video capture, playback and sharing; wireless stereo music and media sharing via Bluetooth; quick friend search and optimised group chats in instant messaging (IM); customisable Web browsing; and universal search across all phone applications and data. In addition, the phone’s shell is customisable, creating a unique look for every device.

“Mobile phones aren’t soulless devices. They’re personal expressions and our lifeline to the people that matter to us as we navigate through all of life’s moments,” said Roz Ho, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of premium mobile experiences. “Playing such a significant role in our lives, mobile phones should reflect our individual style. T-Mobile clearly understands this, and we’re very excited about what the new Sidekick will offer consumers.”

The Sidekick presents a streamlined Web browsing experience that allows users to either view Web pages vertically, as with previous models, or to pan and scan Web pages, much like a typical personal computer. Users can also visit the Download Catalog to preview and select from hundreds of games, applications, themes and other content and receive purchases instantly.

Starting with an always-on connection for true IM and push e-mail capabilities, the Sidekick also allows users to see IM status on e-mail messages and in the address book, so they always know when friends are available to chat.

The Sidekick is brought to life by software and services from Danger, a subsidiary of Microsoft and a component of the Microsoft Premium Mobile Experiences (PMX) group, which focuses on innovative mobile experiences for consumers. The company says that software and services are playing an increasingly important role in the mobile world, where rich social interaction and ease of use are the main priority.