T-Mobile has updated its Sidekick II with the not-too-excitingly-named Sidekick 3 (we wonder if T-Mobile thinks we can't cope with three Roman numerals?). If you are familiar with the former device then this update won't surprise you much in terms of looks and functions.

In the looks department the Sidekick 3 is, well, quirky. Less like a phone than a portable games console at first glance, its front screen is large - 2.6 inches corner to corner - and designed to be looked at in wide format. This means Web pages viewed through the built-in browser are nicely formatted.

To the left and right of the screen are controls that sit neatly under each thumb. A navigation button, miniature trackball and buttons for manipulating on-screen menus are accompanied by very phone-like Call and End buttons.

It is only when you prod the top right or bottom left corner of the screen that you get to see the built in QWERTY keyboard. The screen swivels round a hinge at its top centre and does a quick 180-degree pivot of its display so that what you are looking at stays the right way up for your eyes. And underneath it is the keyboard. This has a real 'wow' factor when you demonstrate it in public, but it results in hardware that is absolutely huge in the hand.

Meanwhile, where functions are concerned, the Sidekick 3 is a Tri-band handset with GPRS and a range of fairly predictable applications built into its proprietary operating system. Address book, calendar, to do list, notes application, the aforementioned Web browser, e-mail client, AOL instant messenger and a camera, music player and a couple of games.

The music player only plays MP3 format files and the 2.5mm connector for the supplied headset makes using your own preferred set a challenge as you'll need an adapter for their jack. The camera is limited to 1.3-megapixels and not especially impressive.

There is no PC synchronisation with the Sidekick 3. Instead you get an area of password-protected Web space all of your own to which calendar, to do list, address book, notes and camera images are automatically backed up. Make changes at the Web space and they are reflected on the Sidekick 3. You also get an e-mail address accessible from the Sidekick 3 or Web space, and the Sidekick 3 can handle three more POP3 or IMAP addresses.

This means your Sidekick 3 data is safe if the device itself gets lost, but without the ability to synchronise with full-blown desktop PIM software such as Microsoft's Outlook, serious PDA users are out in the cold.

The Sidekick 3 concept is sound, and its automatic data backup and BlackBerry-like e-mail push both appeal. But as a Smartphone the device is unsophisticated in its capabilities. It is, perhaps, best described as a no-brainer Smartphone for the young and trendy with large enough pockets to carry it around.