The only way that the ID isn't "lite" is in size: somehow it has nearly the same dimensions and weight as the Sidekick 3 (the ID measures 5.1 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches and weighs 6.3 ounces.). That's too bad, as the feature we wanted to change most with the Sidekick 3 was the size. The once super-sleek Sidekick now looks hefty next to most of its competitors.

This sidekick focuses on the communications features that matter the most to its users (people in their teens and early 20s) and to lower the price so that more people can afford one. The Sidekick ID sells for $99 with a two-year T-Mobile commitment in stores, although a representative told us that buyers could get it for $99 with a one-year commitment by calling T-Mobile.


                  Sidekick ID's main menu.

Surprisingly, we rarely missed the Sidekick ID's missing features. The Sidekick experience has always been about keeping in touch with your friends, and the ID delivers that just as well as the others.

The phone comes with three instant messaging clients (AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger) and supports up to 10 IM sessions at one time. It also has an e-mail client (one that's beautifully easy to set up, since you don't need to know the e-mail protocol you use, and you don't need to enter both an incoming and outgoing e-mail server address) and a text messaging client. Users also get a Web browser, organizer, photo album (for e-mailed photos), and one game.


    Sidekick ID, with the screen swiveled up

Communicating with the Sidekick ID is just as enjoyable as with previous models, thanks to the Sidekick interface, which is as simple and intuitive as the iPod's interface. Users scroll around the circular menu system with a thumb wheel. Buttons on the left and right sides let users call up a menu, return to the main screen, exit an area, or go one menu back.

As before, the screen swivels upward to reveal a thumb keyboard. The number keys are now a completely different color, which makes them easier to find than with some previous models.


              Sidekick ID's Web browser.

If you're not sure which Sidekick to buy, consider how much you'd use the missing features. The Sidekick 3's 1.3MP camera struck us as pretty poor during testing, so losing it was no big deal. The lack of MP3 playback and a memory card slot is surprising for a phone aimed at young people, but most of the users probably have an iPod or some other dedicated device for music.

Lack of Bluetooth won't be a problem for people doing more IMing than calling.


Sidekick ID's instant messaging menu.

The feature we missed the most was EDGE support for Web browsing. T-Mobile's EDGE network is no speed demon, but it's faster than GPRS, which Sidekick ID users will rely on. When Web browsing, stick to the WAP bookmarks already on the device; the pages will load quickly, which can't be said for regular Web pages on the Sidekick ID.


Sidekick ID with included belt clip.

The Sidekick ID did gain a few improvements over previous models. It has removable "bumpers" along the top and bottom, so that you can add a favorite color to your phone (for $19.99 a set). It also has a better battery than the Sidekick 3, with 5.6 hours of talk time and 144 hours of standby. That's a welcome increase and one that will keep ID users talking, IMing, and e-mailing for longer than ever.