Danger! A Cool New Handheld

In terms of raw cleverness, Danger's "Hiptop" smart phone (aka the Sidekick, and available through T-Mobile) is one of the coolest gadgets out there--from its swiveling design to its usable keyboard to the way it crunches Web pages down to size so they work on its tiny screen. In fact, we liked the first color version so much that we named it the Product of the Year in our 2003 World Class awards. Some PC World editors even went out and bought Sidekicks with their own hard-earned money--always a sign of a product that's truly won our hearts.

But there were two common complaints about last year's Sidekick: It seemed a little fragile, and when it came to voice calls, it didn't shine. Now, as my colleague Richard Baguley reports, Danger has announced the Sidekick II. It's a tad smaller than the original. It has a built-in camera (the original had an external one). The software has been beefed up. And Danger says that it's both sturdier and a better phone than their first model.

I liked the original enough that I flirted with getting one, and the new one looked awfully good during a recent demo here at PC World. I still wish that the Sidekick was an open platform with lots of third-party software, and that it did more to talk to other products I use, such as desktop PIM software. But when it comes time for me to buy a new phone, I'll take a look at the Sidekick II (especially if PalmOne doesn't release a higher-resolution Treo anytime soon).

Comments

geeks !!

Not a geek

August 06, 2004

1:21 PM PT

geeks !!

Not a geek

August 06, 2004

1:21 PM PT

Hi Harry,

you mentioned a key point third party software solutions, I think that's where the treo wins.

I think though the Sidekick will get better as the Sidekick II is only the 3rd out... The treo is the 5th or 6th... Their move with Sharp to do the hardware was excellent!! It took it from a device that looked like a highschool science fair winner to a serious contender... With moves like that they will only get better...

As of now although more expensive the Treo wins on the spectrum for a combo phone... For reliable push e-mail the blackberry is still the undisputed(they can make a lighter version for just e-mail, don't combo)....

EZ...

Wise

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