T-Mobile temporarily pulls Sidekick Slide--updated

T-Mobile Sidekick Slide

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

It's lights out for the T-Mobile Sidekick Slide--well, temporarily anyway. T-Mobile and Motorola pulled the new Sidekick from the carrier's lineup last Friday after confirming that some devices are powering off after opening and closing the phone. Motorola says it's currently working to identify the cause of the problem, but geez, that's no way to make a first impression. If you'll remember, the Slide is the first Sidekick not to be made by Sharp. We should note that the Sharp devices, including the T-Mobile Sidekick LX and Sidekick iD, do not suffer from this power glitch. Affected customers have several options; you can either:

1. Keep your existing Sidekick Slide until T-Mobile and Motorola have more information about the issue
2. Exchange it for a T-Mobile Sidekick LX at no additional charge
3. Return the device and apply the value of the original purchase price to a different handset or device.

Now, we had our review Sidekick Slide for a couple of weeks and never ran into the power outage problem, but are there any Slide owners out there who did? I'm curious to hear what happened, so sound off below.

Update: Today, T-Mobile released this statement: "Motorola has determined that the intermittent power cycling on some T-Mobile Sidekick Slide devices was caused by a minor issue relating to the battery contacts. Motorola also has identified and tested a solution, which it will implement for existing devices, and incorporate into newly manufactured ones. T-Mobile expects to begin offering the Sidekick Slide again beginning next week. If a customer has a Sidekick Slide that is experiencing the intermittent power cycle issue, they may contact T-Mobile Customer Care or go to a T-Mobile retail store for assistance and to discuss available options."

[CUnninghizzizam]

I have one.

I bought one almost as soon as it came out.

My phone hasn't had any problems, but I also don't want it to in the future.

It's taken me about 48 hours to try to "upgrade" to the LX. I might be able to get
it done today.

Just be warned.

[ncmacasl]

not all made by Sharp

the Sidekick 2 was made by Sharp based on plans and specs supplied by Danger. The Original Sidekicks (SK-1/B&W and SK-Color) were made for Danger by Plantronics (the Headset company) based on Danger's plans and specs.

The Sidekick 3, ID, & LX are all Sharp from top to bottom. Danger only supplied the operating system.

[aznmystyk]

happened to me!!!

bought the slide the first day it came out and exchanged it for 2 others. It did the same thing on all. It turned off on me when sliding it. It would restart itself sometimes aswell. Not a problem expected coming from motorola.

[kristy1178]

happened to me too :(

i bought the slide without knowing the reason for it being pulled off the market. Got it on Tuesday, and it's happened twice in 2 days :( I thought the battery died but then it came right back on...also, all of my contacts were gone for a little bit and it showed that all of my text messages were unread...I'm planning on calling TMO this weekend but am hesistant to switch to the LX bc the colors are horrible...

[Naomie1125]

Sidekick slide BS...

Hello,


I saw your post on this side kick i'm dealing with the same thing and wondered what you ended up doing for a new phone? They haven't fixed this i'm sure of it and i'm getting the run around. Thanks!

Ruth

[jsbilek101]

Happens to me all the time....
I just got mine a week ago and it turns off all the time. I manage to not let it happen by closeing it slowly but sometimes it still restarts. When it restarts it sends me everyhting again as if it was unread. The phone is pretty kewl but doesnt work right.