14 DAY TRIAL // It looks like the Federal Communication Commission has recently approved a Sharp device going under the name of PV-150.
The new model seems to be a stripped down version of the Sidekick 3 (PV-200) and it looks like it's meant to be a more affordable version. Just for the purpose of comparing, the Sidekick 3 features a built-in MP3 player, a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth for connectivity and a MicroSD card slot for memory expansion.
The new Sidekick that just got the FCC's approval will apparently come without the Bluetooth and while this is not certain, it is said to come without the built in camera and music player as well.
While it's clear that it will be a tri-band GSM device (850/1800/1900) we'll have to wait a little more to see if it comes with EDGE or even the more basic GPRS.
So, basically, it might end up not having any of the features the Sidekick 3 is appreciated for. While the Monaco cradle for Sidekick was useless for data transfer in the case of Sidekick 3, if the new Sidekick does in fact lack Bluetooth, you might find it useful after all.
Most of the documents regarding the handset are still confidential so it'll take some time until more about it is revealed, approximately until mid-April when the confidentiality request expires and the FCC will offer more details.
We have yet to find out if the handset will be sold along with its Sidekick brother through T-Mobile. This new device is expected to be announced this Spring and hopefully some photos of it will pop out by then.