A Sideways slide to web action

The new Motorola Sidekick Slide is said to be ideal for deaf users. Jamie Trounce tried it out

My first impression of the Motorola Sidekick Slide was that it looks like the Nokia N-Gage, or even a hand-held games console. It’s designed to be held horizontally (landscape), rather than vertically (portrait), and it slides open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard – hence the name.

It is a really well-built handset, and feels strong and solid in the hand, and the slider itself is strong without being overly resistant.

The keyboard buttons are small but not too small, while the main buttons are quite big and easy to use. The menus are navigated by use of a rolling “trackball”, making it very accessible for most people.

The phone contains many impressive features, such as a web browser, email, instant messaging, SMS, organiser, camera, and music player. Of course, it can be used to make phone calls, too! At first it is a little confusing to navigate through all of these features, but there are quick start instructions that help you to get used to it quickly.

The web browser in particular is very good, and because of the trackball is much more accessible than some other handsets on the market. I was able to browse many websites, such as BBC, Disability Now and many more. I would probably say the browser is my favourite thing about the Sidekick.

The email is also impressive and very easy to set up, and is similar to the Blackberry.

The “attention vibration” is great for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, as is the “strobe” mode, which uses coloured lights to alert you to calls or messages. The screen is large, about two inches, which is a good size for a mobile and will be beneficial for those who find some displays too small.

However, the phone does have its drawbacks, in particular with the camera. The pictures are a bit dark and blurry in “normal” mode, and the night mode isn’t much better. The controls are also a little complicated and the buttons are different from those that control the other features. It would also be good if it had a flash.

The battery life is average, but use it too much and the power can easily drain within a day. Make sure your Bluetooth is always switched off unless you are using it!

Personally, I think it is a good phone for hard-of-hearing and deaf people. I am deaf, and found it quite useful, especially the QWERTY keypad, though it would be even better if the handset was a little smaller and a little less chunky.