Danger Hiptop 2, Sidekick II Review
The T-Mobile Sidekick 2, also sold as the Danger Hiptop 2, is a fun-loving converged device. This device is targeted at consumers in the 16 – 30 year old age range. It is not being marketed as a corporate style business device, but rather a phone, Internet and camera converged device for every-day life outside of business. Ironically though, the Sidekick 2, priced at $199 in the U.S., is more innovative, usable and clever in certain ways than the palmOne Treo 600 or HP iPAQ 6315, converged devices targeted at grown-up business users willing to spend $600.
Specs include:
-Form factor: Flip screen (Opens to expose QWERTY keyboard. Closes for compact storage)
-Size: 130 x 66 x 22 mm (5.1″ x 2.6″ x 0.9″) (Width x Height x Depth)
-Weight: 184g (6.2oz)
-Display: 240?160 pixels, over 65,000 colors (16-bit color), Transflective TFT screen viewable in bright sunlight
-5-row QWERTY keyboard , dedicated number row , dedicated 12-key dial pad area , includes easy access key for @ symbol
-Backlit screen and keyboard with light sensor
-Integrated VGA (640 x 480 pixel) camera, supplemental LED for close-range illumination , night mode setting for darker environments, convex mirror for self-portraits
-Navigation and Controls
-Scroll Wheel with push capability
-Send/End buttons (with page up/down capability)
-Directional pad
-Control buttons: Menu, Jump, Done, Cancel, Volume up/down, Power , Application-specific shoulder buttons
-Front and back speakers
-Speakerphone
-12-voice polyphonic sounds
-Vibration Motor
-GSM/GPRS radio Tri-band (900/1800/1900 MHz) Multislot Class 10 functionality
-Wireless off “airplane mode”
-Memory: 32 MB RAM, 16 MB Flash
-Battery, Rechargeable internal Lithium polymer battery
-Interfaces: Audio jack, Power jack, Lanyard attachment
Danger is a company based in California that a couple of years ago designed and released a device called the Hiptop, the predecessor to the Hiptop 2/Sidekick 2 being reviewed here. T-Mobile bought the right to sell the Hiptop under their own branding and called it the Sidekick. Danger is a one trick pony in terms of products; it has designed only the Sidekick and now Sidekick 2. They have designed these devices and then relied upon manufacturing partners to actually make the device based on specifications provided by Danger, and then they rely on wireless carriers to sell and market this device. Sharp signed a deal with Danger to manufacture the Hiptop 2, so they’ve got a great manufacturing partner there. In the U.S. T-Mobile and Suncom market and sell the Hiptop 2 to their customers. T-Mobile sells it as the Sidekick 2 and Suncom sells it as the Hiptop 2. There is no difference between the Sidekick 2 and Hiptop 2, same device with a different name and slightly different logo design on the case.
The Sidekick 2 is indeed a uniquely designed device. The flip up screen rotates clockwise after giving a little lift at the bottom. In a word, this screen design is fantastic. By rotating around, the screen is able to take on a form factor of being somewhat external to the device as you type on the built-in keyboard while browsing the web or instant messaging friends. Rotating the screen back so it’s cradled in the device again means it serves as a very nice display for phone status or viewer for other functions you can perform without needing access to the keyboard, such as camera usage. The way the screen actually springs around into place would make you think it might propel right off of its hinge eventually. After a while you become convinced such a disaster will not befall the device and are happy it is so reactive when being flipped open.
The most important aspect of a converged device is its usability. Melding the functionaliy of multiple devices into one and making it simple to use still is a challenge. Danger has made this device one of the simplest and most straight forward to use converged devices out there. The fact they have tight control over the device by providing their own operating system and consistent user interface actually goes a long way in helping to achieve this. The User Interface and applications on this device are all coded in Java and run on the devices own OS and virtual machine. The graphics have a Japanese anime feel to them, so they’re certainly not complimentary to a tool being used in a corporate environment.
The Sidekick 2 is a fun converged device with a lot to like. It’s easy to use, has a great keyboard, the form factor is innovative and can keep you connected in various ways to your friends and family. It is not a good replacement for a PDA, unless all you demand of a PDA is the most basic of applications. At the price of $199.99 this device is actually a bargain for what you get. Compared to the Treo 650 or iPAQ 6315 that cost well over $500, you get a device that performs the same core functions. The fact the OS is proprietary means you’re highly limited in what you can do outside of what’s included, but that means Danger has tight control over the device and keeping consistent look and feel between applications. For those in small businesses or if you’re a young person that wants to stay connected with email all the time then this definitely could be for you. AOL IM junkies of course would be thrilled by the Sidekick 2. Being able to bring up a map, weather or check the latest news on the web is a great feature too. So overall, a thumbs up to getting this device if you think it would serve your needs and can afford the monthly data plans offered by your wireless carrier.
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