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SuperPhonez: Danger Hiptop is Here


What sounds like a comic-book character, looks like a tricked-out pager, and is being marketed like a toy for AIM addicts? It’s the Danger Hiptop phone/communicator device, and it’s definitely no toy; this latest gadget has some serious applications for business users, too. The device is to be marketed next month by TMobile (formerly VoiceStream) for just US$200 (est.) for new customers. (TMobile will call it the “Sidekick.”) The GSM/GPRS Hiptop has a full QWERTY keyboard, rotating backlit 2.6″ diagonal 240×160 mono swiveling display, 16M RAM, 4M flash memory, LiIon battery, IrDA/USB, vibration, an illuminated LED push wheel, MIDI ringtones and a 12-voice MIDI synth, and support for accessories like a camera, all in just 180 grams and 4.5″x2.6″x1.1″. The Hiptop does web browsing, SMS text messaging, AIM, e-mail, games, photos (with the camera), PDA features (address, calendar, to do, notes), and, yes, is even a phone. Unfortunately, you can’t use phone and data at the same time, the lack of a speakerphone eliminates one option for accessing PDA functions while chatting, and while you can upload data from your computer to TMobile and the phone (assuming this is possible with the Mac, which we don’t know yet!), there are no features for synchronization. I’ll stick with the advanced sync features of my Bluetooth-compliant Sony Ericsson T68i, thanks, even if it means sticking on an ugly keyboard. But the design and low price of this product at least merit a look, and they’re a good sign for what’s to come.

[Update 11/08/2002] Amazon.com is selling the Sony Ericsson T68i color, Bluetooth mobile phone for only US$50 for a limited time.

By Jason O'Grady

Founded the PowerPage in 1995.