BEIJING, Sept. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- T-Mobile USA is updating its Sidekick cell phones, adding a high-end model and the first Motorola-built entry in the line of quirky gadgets with a screen that swivels to reveal a keyboard.

    The new luxury model, the Sidekick LX, has a 3-inch screen with more than twice the resolution of the Sidekick 3. The LX will go on sale online Oct. 17 for 300 U.S. dollars with a 2-year contract, T-Mobile USA said Wednesday.

    The LX is slimmer than previous models, with a more elegant styling. It's an attempt to broaden the Sidekick user base among older customers, said Leslie Grandy, vice president of product and systems development.

    The LX is also the first Sidekick to allow text messages with attached pictures. Previous models allowed pictures from the built-in cameras to be e-mailed, but Sidekick users prefer text messaging, according to Grandy.

    T-Mobile also announced the Sidekick Slide, which breaks away from the Sidekick line in two ways: It's made by Motorola Inc. rather than Sharp Corp., which makes the others; and its screen slides up to reveal the keyboard, rather than swiveling.

    The Slide is smaller than the other Sidekicks and is more tightly focused on messaging, lacking a music player. It will cost 200 dollars with a 2-year contract when it goes on sale Nov. 7.

    (Agencies)