Danger's Sidekick II gets a quiet upgrade

Danger's T-Mobile Sidekick II handheld device is receiving an upgrade, but users may not be notified of the change before it's about to install.

Some owners of the Sidekick II, which combines a cell phone, camera, instant messaging, e-mail and Web access, have reported seeing a version 2.3 file of the device's proprietary operating system. Users aren't notified when the 5MB file begins downloading, but they are informed when it's ready to install.

Credit: T-Mobile

Danger, which also makes the Hiptop handheld device, has acknowledged plans for the Sidekick's upgrade. New features include Javascript functionality in the Web browser; customizable screensaver; improved headset support; buddy icons for AOL's instant-messaging client; an "undo" feature for text editing; better search for text on Web pages; phone numbers that turn into links that launch the phone application; and the ability to create slide shows from your photo gallery.

The upgrade will also allow users to purchase and install an application, then inuninstall and reinstall it later without paying twice.

Danger says that the new operating system is initially being downloaded only to a select set of T-Mobile Sidekick users.

"We are beginning to test the next version of our software with a very limited group of users to ensure quality of service. We plan to announce the details and begin a complete rollout later this month," Danger spokesman Matthew Flegal said.

The upgrade, sent to a handful of users in mid-September, was then stopped for unknown reasons, according to users who have seen the upgrade. About a month later, people reported receiving the update again.

The device got widespread attention after reality television star and socialite Paris Hilton reported her Sidekick had been hacked. In the case, a teenager was caught, plead guilty and was sentenced to serve 11 months in a juvenile facility.

[s4xton]

Hiptop Upgrade

This is probably the last upgrade before the Sidekick 3 which is around the corner for
2006. I got the upgrade about a week ago and I have to say that
the browsing is much faster and a lot of sites render much better.
I'm really digging the AIM improvements too.

[mhedstrom]

too little too late

We bought 2 Sidekicks last December, and keep getting promises of new apps, and new and better functionality. Well our Tmobile contract was up so we bought a couple of the new HP6515 windows mobile phones, and they're 1000 times better than the Sidekick 2. I've been disappointed at how Danger has handled the SK2, pretty much marketing it only to teenagers and early 20 somethings who just want games and ringtones. Too late Danger!