Why Microsoft killed the T-Mobile Sidekick

Prior to the iPhone, the best SmartPhone for someone who didn't need Outlook access was arguably the T-Mobile Sidekick. It provided excellent cloud capabilities (all contacts, calendars, photos, etc. were synced auto-magically) back when "the Cloud" was still conceptual to Microsoft and Apple. It was a good phone with strong battery and antenna. It had an excellent screen, a unique design, and an excellent hard keyboard. And it had the cheapest unlimited data plan out there, appealing to low-end users. Then, it was bought by Microsoft who promptly let the servers die, losing customer data, and then turned it into the Kin. Which they promptly killed, in favor of Windows 7 phones.

Why did Microsoft buy such a valuable piece of technology and then abandon it? Insiders claim it was a combination of factors: (1) the psychotic obsession with making every operating system a branch of Windows (pushed by the release by 18 months), (2) the internecine squabbling within the Microsoft mobile division amongst managers, and (3) a complete lack of actual vision for what the behemoth wants to produce for a phone.

Overall, it appears that Microsoft simply never saw the Apple/Google SmartPhone revolution coming. So, every move in the last 3 years - Windows Mobile 6.X, the Windows Phone 7 announcements, the Sidekick/Hiptop/Kin moves, the Microsoft Courier project - are all signs of panic as they try to figure out how to proceed and who to copy. Expect more casualties in the months ahead.

Rest in Peace, Sidekick. You will be missed.

Why You Should Get Rid of Your Cell Phone

I got a cell phone in 1999 or 2000. It was simple. It was about the size of a cordless phone handset, it had an address book, and it called people. I could operated it easily without looking at it. It may have done a few more things, but it was nothing special. Most importantly, the phone worked well.

I now have a Cingular 8125 Windows Mobile smartphone. It plays music and videos, it surfs the internet, it can connect over WiFi, I can even remote control our Windows servers. Oh, yeah, I can also call people on it.

Back in 1999, my phone was for "emergencies", short "where are you?" conversations, and the occasional call to order take out while traveling home from school. If I left my cell phone at home, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Now, my cell phone is apart from me. If I forget it at home, I worry about what I'm missing. (To be fair to myself, I have gotten a little better recently.) I've sometimes wondered, "What would my life look like if I didn't have a cell phone?" Then my mind starts racing with all of the reasons I can't give up my cell phone. "What if someone needs to get in touch with me?" "A cell phone is so convenient when I need to make calls." "It has games on it for while you're waiting for something."

Wired has up a post entitled "Ten Reasons To Throw Away Your Cellphone". I know I have to agree with "It makes you perpetually available" and "It must constantly be recharged".