Feeling a little left out, non-T-Mobbers? Keep your chins up, because the Tony Hawk cut of the Sidekick LX is now available to each and every one of you after a limited release exclusively to current subscribers (not the first time they've engaged that tactic). Expect to shell out $299.99 on contract after rebates for the privilege of being just as cool as your favorite skateboarder -- just don't go trying your luck at the half-pipe now, you hear?

The riff raff need not apply just yet (you know who you are), but current T-Mobile subscribers can now get in on Tony Hawk's totally tubular Sidekick LX, featuring the skateboarding mogul's branding and a healthy dose of "grip tape" texture around back. Pricing will vary depending on your upgrade situation, but most folks will hopefully have an opportunity to pay less than the $449.99 full retail sticker. Right now T-Mobile itself appears to be the only source for the phone, but Best Buy should be coming online shortly if that's how you prefer to roll.

[Via Hiptop3.com]

Leaked inventory screens from Best Buy (also known as Poor Buy, So-So Buy, Decent Buy, or Alright Buy, depending on how you feel about the place) suggest that the big box expects to take inventory of the Sidekick Gekko (or "Gecco," depending on whose spelling you believe) along with the Tony Hawk LX come the 27th of this month. That's just about on schedule with the expected release dates for both devices, so it seems believable enough -- and with the memory of the iD fading fast, an entry-level Sidekick with changeable faceplates is just what the doctor ordered (as for the Tony Hawk LX, we're really not sure who ordered that, but it certainly wasn't the doctor).

Well, we heard it was on the way, and it's here. Danger's Sidekick LX recording live action video. Unfortunately, the results are far from exhilarating; truthfully, they're downright embarrassing. The first preview we've seen shows a stamp-sized (read: 176 x 144 pixels) video with less-than-stellar quality, but hey, it's a Sidekick LX recording video. So, still eager to see this rolled out en masse? (Wait 'til you check the sample in the read link before answering that.)

[Thanks, Oscar]

It's not very frequently that official availability of anything -- be it hardware or software -- ends up beating the rumors, but that's exactly what has happened here. Hot on the heels of some whispers that a big, fat update for T-Mobile's Sidekick LX would be dropping on June 25, we've gotten word straight from the carrier that the rollout will actually be kicking off some time this week. Video capability, an integrated alarm clock, stereo Bluetooth support, and a host of other goodies make this a worthwhile upgrade, so let us know when it finally hits an LX near you, alright?

Boy Genius Report has published a laundry list of changes, additions, and fixes expected in the long-rumored OTA firmware update for the Sidekick LX, and if the list is even close to accurate, let's just put it this way -- we think it was worth the wait. Highlights include comprehensive video support, stereo Bluetooth, significant enhancements to the IM client, cross-application keyword search, and an integrated spell checker, among many other things. The site claims that the rollout will kick off on the 25th, and if past updates are any indication, it'll take a little while for the goods to get pushed out in batches. Patience, friends -- or barring that, be sure you have at least friend with an updated LX you can swipe come next week.

The rumored Tony Hawk edition of the Sidekick LX is said to be making its first public appearance today, looking every bit the part with a "skateboard look and feel" made complete with "grip-tape-texture" and the skateboarding icon's name plastered across the display's bezel. This one isn't just about branding, though -- it's being said that T-Mobile will use the occasion to launch a rather hearty LX firmware update that includes video recording, stereo Bluetooth, additional themes, some sort of video sharing capability, and more; it'll be available to all LX owners some time this summer via an over-the-air update. Meanwhile, the very special Tony Hawk piece should be made available to buyers in mid-July.

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Take your focus off of that forthcoming Tony Hawk hiptop a minute and key in on that image above -- looks like Danger's Sidekick LX may be getting video after all. After questioning whether this very device could indeed support video late last year, it looks like the answer could be just around the corner. Unfortunately, the shot above along with one other in the read link is about it for details; we're still waiting to hear whether YouTube / H.264 will be supported, and beyond that, when the update will be made available. Still worried sick over Mr. Hawk? Yeah, we reckoned not.

We'd recommend taking this one with a healthy dose of salt, but word on the street has it that Tony Hawk -- being the unashamed Sidekick lover that he is -- is gearing up to receive his very own limited edition LX. Oh, and his adoring fans can snap one up too if they're quick. Details about the unit itself are scant, but it will obviously be Tony Hawk-branded and able to do a 900 on command. We are hearing, however, that it's slated to land on July 16th -- just in time for the T-Mobile sponsored Boom Boom HuckJam, too.

[Via Hiptop3, image courtesy of AOL]

In the process of spelunking through Danger's latest software development kit for the Sidekick, one enterprising developer discovered a handful of dormant functions for controlling video playback. That got us to thinking: on the Sidekick LX's glorious widescreen display, isn't video support a totally obvious feature? Can't you just imagine perusing YouTube clip after YouTube clip -- or better yet, dropping a movie on the microSD card? We're being told that the specific functions aren't usable yet, but it's pretty reasonable to think that a future update could grace the LX with full support. And hey, Danger, if that wasn't in your plans, may we suggest you consider it?

[Thanks, Mr. P]

Sorry, T-Mobile veterans, the window of opportunity to flaunt your recently-acquired Sidekick LXs just expired. That's right -- everyone's now entitled to lay paws on Sharp's latest lovechild with Danger now that existing subscribers have gotten their fill from a limited launch on October 17. To celebrate the glorious occasion, the Sidekick Wiki's giving away handsets to two lucky souls; entering the contest isn't a bad idea, but for anyone looking for a more direct, surefire way to get hold of a unit, T-Mobile stores should be rocking these things in full force now for $299 on contract. So what's it gonna be: blue, brown, or wait for the Slide?

The full-scale launch doesn't come until the 24th, but current subscribers can get their grubby paws on Danger's latest and greatest starting today. Needless to say, the Sidekick LX is the best Hiptop to date; we were pleasantly surprised with the handset's build quality, the blue shell with chrome trim looks pretty slick, and the bright, crisp widescreen display is simply glorious. Can't get to the store just yet? No worries, we've got you covered with a bunch of shots that should make the day fly by just a little quicker!

Most of us have to wait until late October to get our hands on Danger's latest Hiptop sensation, but Boy Genius Report? Yeah, not so much on the waiting. Mr. Genius has scored a retail example of the LX, playing with the device and shooting a handful of glamor shots in the process. Despite its size -- it's quite a bit larger than its Slide stablemate -- it's said to be thin, comfortable, and "right" in the hand, the operating system is predictably Danger perfect, and the display is supposed to be a total stunner. Makes the wait that much harder, doesn't it? Hit the read link for the full gallery!

Capping off months of rumor and speculation, T-Mobile and Danger have announced two new Sidekicks today targeting decidedly different segments of the market. The Sidekick LX takes over as the new king of the Hiptop hill, boasting a Sidekick-first wide QVGA display -- touted as incorporating technology borrowed from Sharp's AQUOS televisions, no less -- along with configurable mood lighting, 1.3 megapixel camera with flash, and 128MB worth of bundled microSD memory. Meanwhile, the 4.6 x 2.4 x 0.68-inch Sidekick Slide becomes the first Hiptop device to come from Motorola, the first to ditch the trademark swivel display, and the first to go on a serious diet (anyone who's used a Sidekick of old knows that it ain't exactly small) while still packing the same functionality and 1.3 megapixel cam as its big sib. Look for the LX to hit store shelves come October 24 in your choice of "midnight blue" and "espresso brown" for a cool $299 on contract; the Slide slides in (sorry, couldn't help it) two weeks later on November 7 in a black / deep purple combo for a Franklin less at $199.

Even though it looks like T-Mobile will be launching the Sidekick LX on October 24, some lucky individual has the chance to own one before launch thanks to an eBay auction. With bids starting at $600 and just over nine days to go, the highest bidder can be the envy of all the tweeners on the block. There's no way for the Engadget staff to validate the authenticity of this auction, but if you feel inclined to bid (and win) -- drop us a line and let us know what you think of it!

[Via Hiptop3]