In this second part of the “showdown” between the two major wireless device choices for the deaf user, I’ll take a closer look at the latest devices from each camp. The slimmer and sleeker T-Mobile Sidekick 3 “SK3″ has been chosen to represent the Sidekick camp, and the T-Mobile BlackBerry 8705g “8705g” is nominated to carry the BlackBerry torch in this showdown. Read on to see who will take home the “Deaf Heavyweight Pager” championship belt! Scoring will be on a scale of 0 to 5 stars.

Wireless Network and Carrier

The first round is a wash. Both devices run on the same T-Mobile GSM/GPRS wireless network, which sadly, only offers 2.5G EDGE speeds. The 8705g can be used as a wireless modem, but the EDGE network speeds are quite slow, about the speed of a dialup modem at your house. Pricing for both device data plans is also the same, $29.99/month. To qualify for this T-Mobile pricing, users need toto pass a credit check. If you don’t want T-Mobile checking your credit, GoAmerica offers the same devices on the same T-Mobile network at a higher monthly rate, $39.99/month with no credit check at all. However, even though the T-Mobile SIM cards are interchangeable between both devices, the data plan setup is different for each device, so a call into T-Mobile customer service is needed if you plan to switch from one device to another.

It’s a tie between the contenders in the opening round, even though both come out swinging. They can’t help it if they both have the same wireless network/carrier.

Score card: SK3 .5, 8705g .5.

Appearance

The second round isn’t much harder. The 8705g keeps the nice rugged update to the BlackBerry looks of the 8700 series, and the casing feels pretty much like the same sturdy case plastics RIM has used over the years for its BlackBerry line. The 8705g comes with the standard RIM plastic holster, offering excellent face-in protection, and with this holster, you can feel the vibrations very well. Squeezing the 8705g to see if there are any creaks, yields none.
The SK3 has been redesigned to attract a larger user-base this time around, making it slimmer and more phone-like, while retaining its signature swiveling screen and horizontal keyboard. Its case plastics seem to be significantly more glossier and scratch-prone, than its predecessor. However the switch to Sharp for design & manufacturing of the hardware was definitely a good move because it passes the “creak” test. The SK3 comes with a cheap black pleather case that has already started wearing out even though it’s been only worn a couple of times, and it does not transmit the SK3 vibrations very well.

The 8705g wins over the SK3 in this round, due to its sturdier casing that has been refined over generations of BlackBerries, and its nice adjustable plastic holster that will stand up to abuse, and transmits the vibrating alerts better.

Score card: SK3 .5, 8705g 1.

Keyboard

The 8705g keyboard is pretty much the same RIM keyboard layout, but the keys are redesigned with a bevel on one side, supposedly helping you to find the key you are looking for. The keyboard width is perfect for typing on with one hand, but the new keys feel too flat and hard to find. If you need to do more typing than your thumbs can take, you can get one of several external portable keyboards on the market that work with various BlackBerry models.
The SK3 keyboard no longer has the nice rubberized feel of the previous Sidekick model, but then again this means the SK3 no longer needs to be embarrassed by the rubber cover tearing or coming loose. New hard glossy & backlit keys make for a nice tactile click and feel. The glossy keys have the letters/symbols embedded within them, making rubbed off lettering a non-issue for the SK3. Even though the SK3 overall size has been reduced, the keyboard feels like it has retained the excellent wide spacing, but its depth feels much deeper and the edges dig into your thumbs. Two handed typing works very nicely, but it’s near-impossible to do it one-handed. Both devices do offer autotext features so you can type shortcuts that will be automatically expanded, saving your thumbs.

The 8705g is bloodied by a nice uppercut from the SK3’s improved keyboard. The 8705g’s keys are too flat, causing it to lose its footing and falls to the floor, but not before planting a nice one right on the SK3’s kisser, due to the fact that the 8705g can use an external keyboard.

Score card: SK3 1, 8705g 1.

Power

The SK3 has a nice 1500 mAh battery that is now removable. However, the SK3’s battery cover is quite difficult to get open. I’m sure that once it’s been opened a couple of times, it’ll be easier to open. Even though the SK3 appears to accept the same charger that the older Sidekick II’s used, there are anecdotes going around that T-Mobile customer service is telling SK3 users not to use a SKII charger with a SK3. Too bad, because we can’t preserve our investment in chargers with the SK3. Why the SK3 maintains a separate charging port with its own proprietary connector, even as it sports a mini-USB connector like the 8705g does, is beyond me. It’s my opinion that all phones should use the same charging connector, and it should be a mini-USB connector which is quite universal. The SK3 lasts a day or two (or even three) depending on how heavy you use it.
The 8705g, quite sensibly, uses the mini-USB connector mentioned above for charging, but in spite of its bulk, has a quite weak 1000 mAh battery. Access to the battery is easy, and there are third-party batteries for the 8705g that have much more power capability, going as as high as 2400 mAh! The 8705g seems to last a little longer than the SK3, being more miserly with its smaller battery.

The SK3 has a bigger reserve than the 8705g, but it seems like it is running out of steam sooner. The 8705g is able to conserve energy for later rounds. The SK3 corner is somewhat confused about what to do at the end of this round, but the 8705g’s trainer is an expert.

Score card: SK3 1, 8705g 1.5.

Screen

The SK3 keeps the same 240×160 pixel screen that was used with the previous model, making it quite dated. Graphics look nice, but compared to the 8705g’s crisp and high resolution 320×240 pixel screen which packs twice the pixels, the SK3 screen looks positively cartoonish. It doesn’t help that the 8705g’s screen is slightly smaller, making the pixels even smaller, meaning that things look even better.
Another aspect where the 8705g shines is in its adjustable screen fonts. This is great for those whose eyes just are getting tired of all those little itty bitty fonts out there. It’s also good for those with vision issues. Out of the box, the 8705g has 14 different fonts, coming in sizes from 7-14 points. Another nice feature of the screen is that it will automatically brighten and dim according to the ambient light (i.e.; if it becomes darker while reading your 8705g, the screen will brighten up by itself, and so forth).

For some reason the SK3 keeps trying the same dodge and swing trick, and the 8705g ducks every time, and finally lands a nice roundhouse punch on the SK3, sending it to the floor. The 8705g has a much better screen and adjustable fonts.

Score card: SK3 1, 8705g 2.

Operating System/Software

The 8705g claims to rule the ring because of its expandable operating system that has been honed over generations of BlackBerries. If you’re a power user, you can customize your 8705g to your heart’s desire. The 8705g does come with the basics, even though you need to download the T-Mobile provided Instant Messaging client manually. The BlackBerry OS still feels clunky, requiring you to click the thumbwheel everytime you need to move around menus, programs, and interfaces. It is hard to learn how to navigate the system. Your data can be easily synced to/from your 8705g to your computer with free software that is included with your purchase. However, if you lose your pager and have not done a sync, you can say bye bye to your information.
For the majority of users, the SK3 comes set up with everything they probably will ever need on a pager. Instant messaging clients now include AIM, Yahoo! and MSN. You can purchase programs via the Danger servers (formerly Download Fun, now Download Catalog) to expand your device’s capabilities, but you get the feeling that the SK3 holds your hand all the way, never letting you go free. This is especially true regarding your data. Once it goes into your SK3, you have to pay for software to sync it, and even with that, it’ll be extremely hard to save your emails from your SK3. However, if you lose your SK3, you do not need to worry. You can access your information via the internet. The new trackball does feel nice, and makes navigating the Hiptop OS menus much more fluid, and easy to learn this new OS - it’s nearly like using a mouse and clicking.

The judges disagree on this round and split the scoring. Different perspectives mean different needs are met. This round is a draw!

Score card: SK3 1.5, 8705g 2.5.

E-mail

The BlackBerry is the king of email, and is very well respected for its email stability and security. The 8705g offers you its own email account, and can seamlessly integrate with any of your existing email accounts. However it does get frustrating when your emails are sent from the 8705g with your BlackBerry email address. BlackBerry users can talk directly to each other faster via PIN messaging/instant messaging. We need to remember that the BlackBerry has been designed as a business email solution, so it has to be rock solid.
The SK3 email functionality is pretty good as well, but after all has been said and done, it ultimately is a consumer email solution, and isn’t as rock solid as the 8705g and other BlackBerries. Like the 8705g, you will get your own email address for your SK3, but you can also have your SK3 check up to three of your other email accounts. Unfortunately, the SK3 will only check your email every 15 minutes, so retrieval will not be instanteous. IMAP support is terrible, though, so what looks like integration may only lead to confusion.

Several punches have been exchanged between the SK3 and 8705g, but at the end of the round, it’s clear to see that the 8705g got the upper hand in this round. Score card:

SK3 2, 8705g 3.

Relay

Both devices offer good options for using relay. The SK3 has built-in instant messaging clients that can be used to contact IM relay services. The 8705g, as mentioned earlier, has to have its T-Mobile client downloaded by the user, but it also does a good job. It’s my opinion that IM relay is better than the majority of dedicated relay programs for both the SK and BB platforms, because you can be notified when a message comes in by the device vibrating. If you want a program that can do more than just relay, check out GoAmerica’s i711.com on both platforms.

The SK3 wins this round because its IM applications are already pre-loaded, giving you immediate access to IM relay providers, and just by going to its Download Catalog, you can download two different dedicated relay applications.

Score card: SK3 2.5, 8705g 3.

Notification/Vibration

The SK3 is very customizable in this area. You can set up different LED colors/vibrations so that you know when your significant other is sending you an IM, as opposed to getting an email, or getting an IM from your boss. Playing with various tunes can ensure that you get a nice long vibration increasing your chances of noticing the alert. However, the vibrations do not translate too well via the included black pleather belt pouch. It also is too easy to bump the volume keys on the bottom of the SK3, changing your Sound Profile - it’s possible you could be embarassing yourself by having your Sound Profile changed from ‘Silent’ to ‘Maximum’.
The 8705g carries on the BlackBerry tradition of having good strong alert vibrations that transmit themselves easily via the hard plastic holster. Vibrations are not customizable at all, though.

The SK3 can bob and weave in many different ways, but unfortunately, when it counted, the SK3 just couldn’t duck the 8705g’s haymaker punch.

Score card: SK3 2.5, 8705g 3.5.

Camera/Video

The SK3 has a built in camera, and the 8705g doesn’t have anything. Both devices cannot stream or play back video. Maybe it’s not all their fault since they both are on T-Mobile’s 2.5G network?

The 8705g is really winded and only because it stumbled, the SK3 was able to land a decent punch that knocked the 8705g into the ropes. Both corners complain that the ring floor is not being taken care of.

Score card: SK3 3, 8705g 4

Other

TTY compatibility: Both devices do not have TTY compatibility built in - meaning that they don’t offer a mode where they can be plugged directly into a TTY so that the TTY can use the wireless phone minutes to communicate with relay or another TTY.
Hearing aid compatibility: The 8705g states that it is M3 and T3 compatible, meaning that people who are concerned about the 8705g causing interference with their hearing aids, or working well with their hearing aid T-coil, can be assured that it has passed testing and may work well with their hearing aids.

There is a lot of resting on each other in this round, but ultimately, the 8705g is able to land several good blows on the SK3. Now it is up to the judges to determine the winner.

Score card: SK3 3, 8705g 4.5.

After both devices go back to their respective corners, the ring announcer booms out, ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present the Deaf Heavyweight Pager Title to the T-Mobile BlackBerry 8705g! It has won this showdown by a score of 4.5 to 3! Congratulations, both of you fought a good fight!’

If you are looking for a reliable pager, you can’t go wrong with either of these devices, but for now, the BlackBerry 8705g wins on points over the Sidekick 3. If we had a 8705g from Sprint or Verizon, it’d probably be a knockout, because of the high speed EVDO networks from these carriers. Stay tuned…we may have a new challenger for the title!

T-Mobile Sidekick 3
Rating:

T-Mobile Blackberry 8705g
Rating:

Our thanks to GoAmerica for providing the SK3 and 8705g used in this review. You can purchase these GoAmerica devices via DeafPagers.com’s online store here