Sidekick tricks, hacks & tips
Sidekick Hidden Tips and Tricks
End of July look for the new Sidekick. This phone has been called "Gekko" and "Aspen". Think 2 meg camera with video capture, better web browsing, and customization. Don't forget to read about Microsoft buying Danger, makers of the Sidekick.
I love the Sidekick. I've had several: a Sidekick II, a Sidekick 3, and now a blue Sidekick LX. I switched to a Dash but couldn't stand it and ran screaming back to a 'kick.
The Sidekick family includes several phones. There are sections here about the Sidekick LX, the Sidekick iD, and the Sidekick 3. Each phone's page has information specific to that device.
The following tips, tricks, and advice are to be used at your own risk. Many work on several Sidekick models. Don't come whining to me if you mess up. I'll only laugh at you. One simple trick passed on to me by a helpful TMobile employee is to turn your 'kick off once a day. This re-registers it on the network. Sorta like jiggling the toilet handle.
Let's address the Sidekick's most glaring problem: the inability to add one's own ringtones. Why? Because Danger and/or T-Mobile want to sell you ringtones and other applications and they're too short sighted to open the box up to 3rd party developers. Meanwhile this reference tells you how to install your own custom ringtones on a Sidekick. A more indepth guide can be found here. Enter at your own risk.
There's a new Sidekick web wiki. Hiptop Nation is a blog made for Sidekick users. hipTools is another site for 'kick users. Hiptop411 is a guide to the Sidekick. Looking for a Sidekick online photo gallery? Try HIPalbum. Feeling nerdy then you need Hiptop/Sidekick Developer Resource.
The new Sidekick LX now supports MP3, WMA, AAC, MIDI, AIFF, and WAV files. The SidekickLX also supports stereo headphones making the LX a true PMP. And speaking of the Sidekick LX, don't forget the mood light dance:
ON - (jump screen) menu + shift + p
OFF - (jump screen) menu + shift + p
SnowBored is a hidden game. Press the Menu/Settings/About Sidekick. Then press Menu + Shift + 8. Click or click & hold the scroll wheel. Holding it down moves the dude up and releasing moves him down. The black button restarts the game.
If you're flying you can't use a cell phone. That doesn't mean you can't use your 'kick. Menu/Controls/Wireless turns off the radio leaving you with a PDA/game machine.
Diagnostic mode - Menu/Settings/System Info then Menu + Shift + D
Extended system info - Menu/Settings/System Info then Menu + Alt + M or Menu + Sym + M
User name/password - Menu/Settings/System Info then Menu + Shift + U (why who knows)
Your IP etc. - Menu/Network Status then Menu + M
System log - roundKey + Shift + S
flashlight - Menu + F
Camera - Menu + D, thumbnail/full-screen toggle; Menu + W, picture zoom
Web Browser - Menu + Shift + B or Menu + Alt + B, recent pages; Menu + Shift + T, toggles the title bar; Menu + Shift + W, clears the browser cache
AIM - Menu + J to enter a chat room
#646# - voice minutes balance
#225# - account balance (if supported)
#686# - What is my Phone Number?
#674# - messages used
#793# - resets your voicemail password [to the last 4 digits of your phone number]
#31# (phone number) - block Caller ID info on call (this prefix can be savd in Address Book numbers)
SMS Messages - Type *noti# at the beginning of a message body to receive a message report.
POP3 email accounts - Menu + U, retrieve e-mail from all POP3 accounts.
Tell your friends about this page, link to it from your site, spread the word! If you know other tips, tricks, or hacks, please feel free to pass them on. While you're here, take a minute to explore the rest of JetCityOrange. Read about cellphone tips. There are plenty of toys of all kinds, wallpaper images for a new look, movie suggestions for a self-confessed film freak, uses for all those empty Altoids tins, and valuable travel tips.