Put simply sideloading is transferring content or data from a computer to a mobile phone.

Sideloading is a great thing, it cuts down the cost of transferring ringtones, wallpapers etc to your phone. So instead of paying $6 day/week/month or whatever over priced fee they offer, you can copy your favourite mp3 across to your phone for free.
Another bonus is that you can also transfer things off your phone and onto your computer.

I get quite snap happy with my phone when I’m out with my friends. To transfer my pictures via wap or email costs me a fortune, so it was very rare I bothered.

My current phone (Motorola V6 Maxx) connects directly to my computers USB port with the same cable I use for my digital camera.

A survey conducted by Orange shows that 13% of users are now sideloading ringtones onto their phones.

Cellphone carriers were initially cool to the concept of sideloading. It cuts back on their revenue as you no longer need to use your data allowance to transfer ringtones, nor do they get their share for putting the cost of the ringtone onto your phone bill. (sometimes up to 50% of the price the consumer pays).

Some carriers restrict the sideloading feature on the phones they sell with firmware but this seems to be reducing as demand for the service picks up.

I can see sideloading taking off over the next few years as more modern phones penetrate the market and people get used to the concept. I can’t wait !