DeafPagers.com Blog

T-Mobile deaf favorite shootout: BB Curve vs. SK LX

admin — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 07:04:28 +0000

Comparing the Sidekick 3, iD, LX, and Slide

admin — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:57:06 +0000

The Sidekick series is enjoying the most diverse lineup T-Mobile has ever offered. There are a total of three models on the market. We updated our comparison table so you can see how they compare with each other, and with the most recent discontinued model, the SK3. Enjoy!

Features	Sidekick 3	Sidekick ID	Sidekick LX	Sidekick Slide
Photo (not to scale)
Instant messaging	Yes - AIM, Yahoo, and MSN	Yes - AIM, Yahoo, and MSN	Yes - AIM, Yahoo, and MSN	Yes - AIM, Yahoo, and MSN
Built in Camera	Yes - 1.3 megapixel	No	Yes - 1.3 megapixel with flash	Yes - 1.3 megapixel
Bluetooth	Yes - Bluetooth 1.2	No	Yes - Bluetooth 2.0	Yes - Bluetooth 2.0
MP3 player	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
mini-SD card slot	Yes - up to 2GB	No	Yes, 128MB card incl.	Yes
Removable rechargeable battery & estimated life	Yes - 1500 mAh = 4.5 hours talk time 3 day standby	Yes (?)= 5 hour talk time 6 day standby	Yes - 1540 mAh = 6 hour talk time 4 day standby	Yes - 1130 mAh = 5 hour talk time 3 day standby
Keyboard	QWERTY (Solid)	QWERTY (Solid)	QWERTY (Rubber)	QWERTY (Solid)
Text messaging (SMS)	Yes - Unlimited with Data only plan	Yes - Unlimited with Data only plan	Yes - Unlimited with Data only plan	Yes - Unlimited with Data only plan
Web Browsing	Real web browsing	Real web browsing	Real web browsing	Real web browsing
Size	5.1 x 2.3 x 0.8 inches	5.1 x 2.5 x 0.87 inches	5.2 x 2.4 x 0.7 inches	4.6 x 2.4 x 0.7 inches
Display	2.6 inches diagonal 65,000 colors 240×160 pixel resolution	65,000 colors 240×160 pixel resolution	3 inches diagonal 65,000 colors 400×240 pixel resolution	65,000 colors 320×240 pixel resolution
Weight	6.7 ounces	6.2 ounces	5.8 ounces	5.3 ounces
Navigation	small trackball	small trackball	small trackball	small trackball
Relay Service	IP-Relay and i711	IP-Relay and i711	IP-Relay and i711	IP-Relay and i711
Hearing Aid Compatible (M3 or M4)	No	No	M3	No
TTY?	Yes - Option offered by i711	Yes - Option offered by i711	Yes - Option offered by i711	Yes - Option offered by i711
Vibration?	Yes - Email, SMS, IM, and Phone	Yes - Email, SMS, IM, and Phone	Yes - Email, SMS, IM, and Phone	Yes - Email, SMS, IM, and Phone
Network / Frequency	T-Mobile / International capable GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850 MHz;1800 MHz;1900 MHz	T-Mobile GSM/GPRS 850 MHz;1900 MHz	T-Mobile / International capable GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850 MHz;900 MHz;1800 MHz;1900 MHz	T-Mobile / International capable GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850 MHz;900 MHz;1800 MHz;1900 MHz
Adjustable Fonts?	No	No	Yes, 3 sizes, approx 18, 16, 14 points.	Yes, 3 sizes, approx 18, 16, 14 points.
MSRP: (often will be cheaper due to contracts and rebates)	$299.99	$249.99	$399.99	$299.99

Motorola’s Sidekick slides back into stock!

admin — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:53:26 +0000

Good news! The Motorola-manufactured Sidekick Slide is finally available via T-Mobile again. T-Mobile had stopped selling it after an issue had been identified where the battery apparently would lose touch with the Slide’s internal contacts and kill power to the Slide whenever the screen was opened or closed one too many times. This issue has been fixed, and now the Slide is being sold by T-Mobile again.

iPhone Deaf/HoH Issues

admin — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:00:23 +0000

The iPhone has been a hot topic among deaf and hard of hearing users lately. On DeafMac.org, there was a “special” iPhone plan announced for the deaf, which would have been offered through an AT&T store in Colorado. Apparently the store manager was sympathetic to the fact that there was no official data-only plan for the iPhone. However this special offer never really saw the light of day, after AT&T Corporate got wind of this plan, and shut it down. TUAW.com also got wind of this and posted about it, bringing this issue to the attention of their regular readers.

TUAW.com also posted earlier about the fact that it was possible for some iPhone users to REMOVE the DATA plan to save money. It seemed like it was not fair, being able to get voice only plans on the iPhone, and not data only plans. However, this was too, short lived. The ability to remove data plans from the iPhone is now gone.

There seems to be a silver lining to the issue of having a TAP/data-only plan for the iPhone - TUAW was able to get what seems to be a promise from AT&T that they are working on a TAP/data-only plan for the iPhone. Hopefully this won’t take too long to come to fruition.

On the hard of hearing side of iPhone matters, you may remember that I originally reported that the iPhone apparently was undergoing HAC testing. Unfortunately, it appears that the iPhone has gained an exemption from the FCC from being required to be HAC compatible. Strangely enough, the Apple document linked in my earlier article still says “Testing is in progress”! This development is quite unfortunate. I can understand a small company with a single cell phone getting exempted, but this is Apple - surely they can afford to get the iPhone tested, and it’d be another thing that they can point out, that the iPhone is accessible to those who depend on hearing aids.

Hopefully these issues will be only temporary, and sooner or later, Apple will do the right thing in both cases! If you are an Apple shareholder, you can always contact management and express your displeasure and encourage them to do right by us deaf and hard of hearing people!

i711 Wireless relay client finally available on Sidekick LX!

admin — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:36:52 +0000

Customers have been emailing DeafPagers.com customer service and complaining that the IP-Relay and i711 Wireless clients are not available via the Download Catalog for the new Sidekick LX. Good news! Last Friday, Danger added GoAmerica’s i711 Wireless relay client software to the Sidekick LX Download Catalog. Also, DeafPagers recently spoke with IP-Relay Staff, and we were informed that the IP-Relay client will be added to the Sidekick LX’s catalog very soon.

If you have not yet loaded the i711 Wireless relay client on your new Sidekick LX, you can visit the i711 web site to see instructions on how to add it to your Sidekick LX.

We are monitoring the status of the IP-Relay client. When it is added to the LX’s catalog, we will post a update here at our Blog.

Sneak Preview of i711 Wireless relay service for Sidekick LX and Slide

admin — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 10:00:21 +0000

Are you an early adopter of the new pair of Sidekicks from T-Mobile - the LX and the Slide? Are you finding yourself wanting to go to i711 Wireless when you need to make a relay or TTY call but can’t because it’s not available from the Download Catalog? Well, you just have to hold your horses a little longer. GoAmerica has been fixing up its i711 Wireless application to bring it up to par with the high resolution displays of the LX and Slide, and has submitted the application to Danger for approval. I was able to play with the same pre-release build of i711 Wireless (on a SK LX) that GoAmerica submitted to Danger for approval, and got permission to share a little about it with readers of this blog.

GoAmerica really has stepped up and made i711 Wireless a great looking application on the LX’s gorgeous high resolution display. You can clearly see the difference in the screenshots below:

(with SK LX Large font size enabled)

All the i711 Wireless functionality you are used to - such as dialing from your Address Book, looking up recent calls, making new contacts directly from the i711 Wireless main screen, changing font sizes (i711 Wireless apparently still uses its own font and sizes) and colors, and so forth - are still present in this new version.

You can still subscribe to the Wireless Toolkit and gain access to TTY calling, TTY messaging, direct pager-to-pager messaging, direct access to AAA emergency services, and InSight Cinema information on captioned movies. Pricing remains the same at $9.99 per month with a six-month minimum.

With the upgrades to the Danger OS running the Sidekick, some nice benefits come to i711 Wireless users. The high resolution screen looks like it makes it possible to squeeze more characters in on a relay call - you won’t have to scroll up as often to read what was said earlier. Also, it’s even easier to switch to i711 Wireless with the new QuickJump feature which is accessed by hitting Jump/End at the same time.

I used this new version of i711 Wireless with pretty much no problems at all. It was nice to have direct access to relay functionality, and not fumble around while I was inside AIM trying to recall the number I needed to dial, or even try to copy and paste the phone number. It feels like you’re using a Sorenson VP - with direct access to VRS right there on the main screen. I like being able to switch to i711 Wireless from wherever I am in the SK, and dial a number just by typing the name of the person I want to call, and i711 just looks it up directly from my Address Book! It is nice to be notified with a strong vibration when i711 connects to an operator or the TTY on the other end picks up the call. I do wish that i711 Wireless would vibrate the SK when the call was ringing, just like a regular phone, so I wouldn’t have to keep looking at the screen, making it easier for me to multitask. Speaking of multitasking - I was able to switch out of i711 while on a relay or TTY call, look up some information in my calendar, and then switch back, and continue the call without any problems.

If you have a Sidekick LX or Slide, you will find i711 Wireless indispensable for your communication needs, and a pleasure to use. You will need to be patient and wait for Danger and GoAmerica to make the new version of i711 Wireless available through your LX or Slide’s Download Catalog. i711 Wireless is also available for previous models of the Sidekick via your device’s Download Catalog.

Many thanks to GoAmerica for providing the loaner SK LX and a preview copy of i711 Wireless for this review.

T-Mobile Pulls Faulty Sidekick Slide

admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:41:31 +0000

T-Mobile USA has suspended sales of the Slide as of last Friday
evening (Nov. 16th) and issued this statement: “Motorola - the
manufacturer of the device - confirmed that some devices may
inadvertently power off when the slide door on the front side of the
phone is opened or closed. T-Mobile has taken this action to help
ensure our customers only receive devices we’re confident will perform
at their peak.”

Motorola also released a statement, saying that its “product engineers
are currently reviewing the facts and will investigate all possible
causes. We are unable to comment further on specifics until we have
fully investigated
the facts.”

T-Mobile has offered any current Sidekick Slide owner a free upgrade
to a Sidekick LX, made by Sharp.

Deafpagers.com already has taken early action, and has begun informing
customers about the issue with the Slide as of Monday morning (Nov.
20th). We have been offering customers who ordered Slides over the
weekend the opportunity to switch to the Sidekick LX. We strongly
encourage you not to order a Sidekick Slide from other dealers who
ignore T-Mobile’s instructions. If you want a Sidekick Slide, please
wait until T-Mobile informs us that we are able to sell the Slide
again.

WARNING: We checked other deaf dealer’s web sites and most of them
continue to sell the Sidekick Slide against the wishes of T-Mobile
USA! Please be careful!

Deafpagers.com Team

Review of the Sidekick LX

admin — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 12:47:19 +0000

I’ve spent a couple of days with the Sidekick LX - a dark blue one to be specific. (It’s also available in brown) It still looks like a Sidekick and has the familiar flip-around screen that every Sidekick has had since the original Sidekick (other than the brand-new Slide).

Hit the link to read more on this new version of the Sidekick!

(more…)

T-Mobile slides in new Sidekick from Motorola

admin — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 06:10:52 +0000

Yesterday T-Mobile released their new Sidekick Slide, adding another device to the Sidekick lineup. This is the first time T-Mobile has had several different Sidekick models, which historically have been popular with deaf and hard of hearing users, available at different price points. The introduction of the Slide also marks the first time that there have been Sidekicks available from different manufacturers. Sharp currently manufactures the iD and the LX, while Motorola manufactures the Slide.

What’s the big deal about the Slide? Initial rumors had the Slide being a “Razr-like” version of the Sidekick, evoking visions of a very thin Sidekick with metal casing. However, this wasn’t to happen (yet). The biggest difference is that the Slide’s screen, well, slides up to reveal the keyboard, rather than the signature swiveling screen of the Sidekick series.

There’s a new keyboard that seems to resemble the Sidekick 3’s keyboard. The Danger OS has been upgraded, and like the LX, one new feature that many deaf users have been asking for is that the font size will be adjustable. Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to find out what type of Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) T and M rating the Slide has. All documentation we have been able to find on the Slide does not mention the rating (probably because HAC testing was not completed when the documentation was written). It will be interesting to see if Motorola’s extensive experience in manufacturing wireless devices translates into a better Sidekick, especially for the deaf and hard of hearing!

At first glance, the Slide does look like a worthy addition to the Sidekick line. Stay tuned for more in-depth coverage on the latest Sidekicks!

T-Mobile Coverage on Deaf Cruise 2007

admin — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 04:14:50 +0000

I would like to share some exciting news with people who will go on the Deaf Freedom Cruise 2007 this weekend! I called T-Mobile Customer Care to ask about wireless coverage on the cruise ship for the Deaf Freedom Cruise, Freedom of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship. T-Mobile provides roaming coverage on this ship via the Cingular/AT&T network, and I wanted to see what the costs for using my T-Mobile pager would be while on this cruise. I could not believe what the T-Mobile rep said! Apparently, data only plans for Sidekicks are included for no extra charge on this cruise! However, do not take my word for this, since the rep I spoke to might be misinformed. I suggest that you call T-Mobile to make SURE that this information is true. As for myself, I will have a different person in my office call T-Mobile again to double check.

T-Mobile charges for roaming on Cingular/AT&T on the Deaf Freedom Cruise ship “Freedom of the Seas”:
Voice service: $4.99 per minute.
Text/SMS service: 35 cents per message up to 160 characters.
Data only plans: Apparently no charge (according to T-Mobile customer care rep).

Again, we strongly suggest you contact T-Mobile before you get on the cruise ship to avoid any expensive surprises when you return home!! Also don’t forget to check T-Mobile’s roaming coverage on the landfalls that the cruise will make on its route.

If you have had good experiences with T-Mobile roaming on cruise ships, please leave a comment explaining your experience (and don’t forget the name of the cruise you went on!).

Deafpagers.com will be along on the cruise. We will have a small number of chargers and cases, just in case you forgot to bring, break, or lose yours. Don’t worry! All you need to do is to just find Drew Gutches somewhere on the ship, and you can purchase a replacement! Selection will be limited to Sidekick and BlackBerry compatible products.

Danger Finally Listens to Deaf Sidekick Users About Fonts!

admin — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 05:04:48 +0000

I would like to share with you what I learned today. I was looking at the new Sidekick LX that was released today. Guess what? The Hiptop OS that comes with the Sidekick LX now features adjustable font sizes! No more squinting at your Sidekick because you can’t change its font! Finally Danger has listened to its deaf customers! The complaints about the small fonts on Sidekick devices go back more than five years!

The Deafpagers.com Blog will have a complete in-hand review of T-Mobile’s newest Sidekick, the LX, also known as SK4 sometime next month. Watch out for this review! If you have any questions regarding the LX, feel free to ask away and we’ll do our best to answer in our review.

Easily Convert Deaf-related video for your BlackBerry!

admin — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 09:00:49 +0000

Do you have a BlackBerry (BB) with a MicroSD memory card slot(Curve/8300/8320, 8800/8820/8830, or Pearl/8100)?

Do you wish you had time to watch all those great deaf-related videos online? Wish no more! The good news is that you will be able to convert Deaf-related videos into a format that you can watch on your BB with the built in BlackBerry Media Player!

You MUST have a good sized (512MB or larger) MicroSD memory card already installed in your BB, or you will not be able to watch anything on your BB. For easiest video installation on your BB, you will need to make sure you have the latest BlackBerry Desktop software (4.2 SP2) which comes with Roxio Media Manager.

Roxio Media Manager allows you to drag and drop video files to your BB, converting them automatically to the correct format needed to play it on the BB. You won’t have a problem with most MP4, WMV, and H.263 videos, per RIM’s note here. You will need to do a little more work if the video does not convert or play correctly, such as video from Google Video, YouTube, or iTunes, etc. Converting from one video format to another is called transcoding, and RIM has some information on transcoding for the BB Media Player.

Are some of the tools mentioned in the RIM transcoding article just not your thing to figure out? Do you have a DVD that you want to watch on your BB? Check this great BlackBerry Video Converter out! It’s free! However all the tools discussed here are for Windows. If you use Mac or Linux, you probably will have better luck using Handbrake with the settings mentioned in the RIM transcoding article, or using VMWare/Parallels to run Windows on your machine and use the tools mentioned here.

Of course, these tips can be used to convert any type of video, not necessarily deaf-related, for watching on your BB - but it’s gonna be neat to watch the latest deaf vlogs and videos on your BB, won’t it? Enjoy!!!

On a related note - making videos to watch using your BB - unfortunately, the BB’s can’t record video via their built in cameras yet. The Pearl 2 (8130) is supposed to support video recording to a media card, but it’s not available to the public yet.