Danger Secures Wireless Distributor For Hiptop Device

Danger T-Mobile

T-Mobile, also known as VoiceStream Wireless, plans to release the device, which will be called the T-Mobile Sidekick, this fall. The wireless carrier will market the product to teenagers, a company spokesman said.

Danger also has contracted with a number of developers to create applications for the device. Pumatech plans to deliver software that synchronizes personal information between the Sidekick and a user's PIM information on the desktop. Seven Networks is working to provide mobile professionals with secure, realtime access to enterprise applications and data.

Other developers are working on gaming and instant messaging applications, Danger executives said.

The start-up developed the Hiptop to be sold through the carrier market. The company had been shopping the design around at trade shows last year. The Hiptop is a handheld device with a screen that sits on top of the keyboard. With the screen down, the device can be used like a PDA with touch-screen and voice capabilities. The screen can be flipped up to access a keyboard, which allows the device to be used much like Research In Motion's Blackberry PDA.

T-Mobile, which is absorbing the VoiceStream Wireless brand within the new few months, has not yet released Sidekick's pricing.