October 10th, 2009
Danger/Microsoft lose ALL Sidekick data, do not reset your device
Engadget tipped us off on the news that all Sidekick users may lose their data due to a failure of the server that backs up and syncs all the data. I started out my wireless data experience with the original T-Mobile Sidekick, but thankfully have moved on to using services that I back up both locally and in the cloud. According to the T-Mobile forums data services provided by Danger, a Microsoft subsidiary, were experiencing a major service disruption that has now results in a loss of contacts, calendar entries, to-do list, and photos that were backed up on the server. This is pretty bad news for Sidekick owners and maybe the remedy should be for T-Mobile to replace Sidekicks with Google Android devices and drop the Sidekick line for good, seeing as how they will soon most likely be phased out anyways with the ownership of Danger by Microsoft.
Here is what T-Mobile posted on the forums:
T-MOBILE AND MICROSOFT/DANGER STATUS UPDATE ON SIDEKICK DATA DISRUPTION
Dear valued T-Mobile Sidekick customers:
T-Mobile and the Sidekick data services provider, Danger, a subsidiary of Microsoft, are reaching out to express our apologies regarding the recent Sidekick data service disruption.
We appreciate your patience as Microsoft/Danger continues to work on maintaining platform stability, and restoring all services for our Sidekick customers.
Regrettably, based on Microsoft/Danger’s latest recovery assessment of their systems, we must now inform you that personal information stored on your device - such as contacts, calendar entries, to-do lists or photos - that is no longer on your Sidekick almost certainly has been lost as a result of a server failure at Microsoft/Danger. That said, our teams continue to work around-the-clock in hopes of discovering some way to recover this information. However, the likelihood of a successful outcome is extremely low. As such, we wanted to share this news with you and offer some tips and suggestions to help you rebuild your personal content. You can find these tips in our Sidekick Contacts FAQ. We encourage you to visit the Forums on a regular basis to access the latest updates as well as FAQs regarding this service disruption.
In addition, we plan to communicate with you on Monday (Oct. 12) the status of the remaining issues caused by the service disruption, including the data recovery efforts and the Download Catalog restoration which we are continuing to resolve. We also will communicate any additional tips or suggestions that may help in restoring your content.
We recognize the magnitude of this inconvenience. Our primary efforts have been focused on restoring our customers’ personal content. We also are considering additional measures for those of you who have lost your content to help reinforce how valuable you are as a T-Mobile customer.
We continue to advise customers to NOT reset their device by removing the battery or letting their battery drain completely, as any personal content that currently resides on your device will be lost.
Once again, T-Mobile and Microsoft/Danger regret any and all inconvenience this matter has caused.
They are trying to recover some data, but it is highly unlikely. I understand that all Sidekick owners will get this month’s data fee credited to their account and that is a reasonable start. This is not good news for Microsoft in the mobile space, following their disappointing Windows Mobile 6.5 launch earlier this week. I feel bad for the T-Mobile reps who will be getting all the calls and for the people who may now leave the carrier due to these issues. I don’t think T-Mobile had a lot to do with the direct data loss and they do appear to be working to do all they can to help out customers. This is just not a good situation for anyone and goes to show you cannot rely on 3rd party servers to always keep your data safe.
Maybe someone on the Microsoft Pink team sabotaged the servers so they can come in with Pink devices and save the day 
Matthew Miller is an avid mobile device enthusiast who works during the day as a professional naval architect in Seattle. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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| 10/11/09
