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Apparently your cellphone is from the last stone-age. Every cell phone I've seen in the past two years or so has predictive text input, so when you're tapping out a message you only have to press each number once and it guesses the most frequently used word. Then you push a button to go down the list if the word it guessed isn't the one you wanted (which is rather rare, all things considered). It works very well, and takes most of the pain of typing on your phone out.

But as far as taking what you're talking about literally, seems to me you're thinking about either a Danger Hiptop or a Palm smartphone such as a Handspring Treo. I happen to have the Treo 300, which works with Sprint, and it's quite the gadget - not sure if I could live without it now. Best thing about Sprint? Unlimited Vision (Sprint's faster-then-dialup data services) for $10/mo. If you buy a Hiptop (aka Sidekick) from T-Mobile, you get unlimited data for the first year, but after that you have to pay their standard rates for data, which pretty much blow - $10 for 10MB, and that's assuming you don't go over. Both of these devices have input methods better then your standard touchtone keypad, and both have gotten decent reviews, so if you want something smarter then your typical cell-phone, I'd check them out.

So far, I've been most impressed with the Danger Hiptop. It's not color but has a real crisp greyscale display. It's Java based and a SDK should be available soon. True desktop syncing with your PIM should be here shortly too, but the export to the T-Mobile website isn't too bad. It's been available for as little as $50 with rebates recently. It has it's own mail and can check other POP accounts (and IMAP in a limited/unsupported fashion), you can browse regular websites, it does AIM and overall can be considered a consumer version of the Blackberry.

Another device to consider if you're a CDMA fan (Sprint & Verizon) is the Kyocera QCP-7135. I don't have an eval unit yet as Verizon hasn't certified it yet, but it looks to be one of the best Palm/phone combos.

It'll be nice to finally see a P800 after all this hype, but there are other good options now.

Yeah I did too, for my girlfriend in Tokyo: Tokyo Tidbits. The cell phone also takes videos that are posted too. aliases, procmailrc, some perl ...what can't you do?

I have a Danger Hiptop here in the U.S. and we have a private blog for our personal communications/media. It makes dealing with a long distance relationship much more bearable.

I have a Danger Hiptop / T-Mobile Sidekick and I don't think it's 5 years behind Japanese phones. It has a real keyboard, which is not as important in Japan, but is important here if you actually want to do e-mail or web searches or IM. Yes, it can do SMS if you can find one of the other 3 people in the US who can use it, but it also does AOL IM and thus you can talk to just about anybody. It's also $40/mo for unlimited data, plus more phone minutes that I can use (though if you yammer you will probably want to upgrade to the $60 plan).

Drawbacks: grayscale screen instead of color. Although it's done in Java, the SDK is not open -- blame Deutchse Telekom, though, not the US industry, for that one.

I think the device fares quite well compared to Japan's Java-enabled color phones, because it has a real keyboard and real applications that are useful. If I want to play Tetris in color, I'd get a game boy.

And yes, it has Beatnik 12-voice polyphonic ringtones that sound great.

Her blog isn't really set up yet, it's still using the default Moveable Type design and we haven't settled on a domain name / title for it yet so I didn't want to post it. But you could find it easily enough with a few mouse clicks I guess.

A two camera phone sounds nifty, does this phone do video streaming too?

For myself, I just ordered the danger hiptop which seems to be the best such thing we've got so far in the States. It was only $99 (after rebate) through the amazon.com link

I have used every brand of PDA over the years, from the Newton 110 on. This is why I can say with absolute certainty that the Sidekick (made by Danger and offered through T-Mobile) is the best yet. Always-on internet makes synching a thing of the past, and the browser and IM client are honestly useful. The always-on internet is truely a big, huge, happy addition to the PDA concept, an addition that indeed transforms the things into something unique, useful, and even important.

With the promise of Danger pushing over-the-air software updates to the device, and the upcoming developer kit, I am honestly thrilled to own the thing, knowing the the very device I already own witll get more exciting and useful as time passes.

Other than those features, it sucked. I took mine back just inside the 30 day satisfaction guarantee period. There were many times that I nearly threw it across the room in frustration and I don't even have a temper. The UI is that bad.

I turned it off on accident many times because logging off of the internet and turning the phone off are the same action in different places. The auto keylock only works if you return to the first screen. If you get a page while the keys are locked, it says "read now?", then when you press "yes" it says "keys are locked", and this is before it even shows you a hint as to the contents. Oh and we ended up in a conversation with the police one day because the keylock doesn't stop the emergency dialing of 911. Also, the web browser was worse than the CDPD mitsubishi that it was replacing. There were many other quirks too, these are the ones I remember.

I took mine back without a second thought and got a HipTop a.k.a. a T-Mobile SideKick instead. Ah.. Such a pleasure to use.

Oh, BTW, I'm typing this on a SideKick now. Try that with your favorite phone.

--tif

T-Mobile Sidekick

GSM Phone + GPRS data access. Custom hardware and OS by Danger, Inc.. Web Browser, AIM, Email, SMS, PIM, Camera attachment, and games. Built-in thumbboard behind a very cool flip-up screen. Hi-res grayscale screen. Polyphonic ringtones provided by the Beatnik Audio Engine.

Unlimited GRPS Data browsing, unlimited email, 1000 SMS messages, 200 anytime minutes and 1000 weekend minutes per month, for $39.99. The device costs $99 after rebates from CompUSA ($249 - $50 T-Mobile rebate - $100 CompUSA rebate).

I have had one of these since they launched about a month ago, and I absolutely love it. The web brower can render just about any site (obvious exceptions being Flash, audio, and javascript. All browsing happens through compression proxies, which re-arrange the pages (and do a great job of it), and compress and decolorize images, to speed up browsing. No horizontal scrolling. All emails and PIM data (contacts, calendar, to-dos, etc.), and photos are constantly synched with the Danger/T-Mobile backend servers, so all of your data is accessible via a custom website at T-Mobile. You can even use this page as a webmail account, if you want. This way, if you run over the Sidekick with the car, you get a replacement, sign in with your username and password, and within minutes, all of your emails, contacts, and photos are synchronized back to the new device, and you're in business.

The geek coolness factor of this little gadget is off the charts - I have single-handledly disrupted staff meetings, classes, and and other events but just having it visible, nevermind using it. Once I flip open the screen (kind of like the flip phones in The Matrix), it's all over. :-) It's got a tiny camera attachment that can hang on your keychain, and when plugged into the accesory port, takes 120x90 pixel color pictures that you can email on the spot. Plus, it's got a cool scroll wheel that can supposedly) display 65,536 different colors. I don't know if it's that many, but it's definitely cool.

The best feature, though, has to be the unlimited GPRS data. Granted, web access is through compression proxies, and so far, no one has found a way to use it as a GPRS modem for a laptop or PDA, but the fact that I can pay $10 more per month than I was paying before, for the same number of voice minutes (200 anytime, 1000 weekend), and get unlimited GPRS data, well, that just sealed the deal.

I love my Sidekick! Email me on it at jabancroft@SPAMBLOCK.tmail.com (remove the SPAMBLOCK)!

Jenova_Six

Unfortunately Kaga, memory does not serve you right.

Sidekick is NOT a Windows CE device.

Here you go:

Q. What Operating System does the hiptop device use?

A. Danger has developed its own virtual machine operating environment. Applications written for the hiptop platform can be developed using industry standard development tools such as Metrowerks CodeWarrior-J(TM) and Microsoft Visual J++(TM), and then automatically converted to execute in Danger's lightweight and optimized environment.

More information here

From thier FAQ it looks like it's a java-based device with a custom VM. It should be fairly easy to either port one of the existing java ssh clients or write a new one.

- Ed Y.

According to the T-Mobile website it will sync.

Karma is what happens between the posts.

Pumatech has signed an agreement with Danger that will enable users of Hiptop enabled devices to synchronize personal information with desktop applications such as Microsoft Outlook.

Danger's objective is to make the hiptop application platform open to all developers. At this time, we are working with select developers on an individual basis. We intend to launch our formal developer program in early 2003. If you're interested in becoming a developer for Danger, please email us: developer@danger.com.

Anyone who thinks simpler, cheaper Palms won't grow Palm's market share is spending too much time around other geeks. I recently gave my old m100 to my mom - all she wants is a portable datebook. She has trouble with Graffiti, but not too much.

And don't forget all those little geek-larvae out there, kids who just want a PDA but don't have the luxury of getting high-paying tech jobs while they're still in high school, like we did. (On second thought, those kids will all want Hiptops.)

$.02/KB (or more) over 2MB, file sharing sounds like a steal! Seriously, until the rates for data tranfers goes down (save for maybe the Hiptop device) file sharing over a cell network is not going to be popular.

...a built-in camera, synced with iPhoto? (Hey, Danger is pretty close to doing this.)

You're not the only one wishing for a mobile device that works in tandem with your desktop. The kind of scenarios you describe are the stuff of my dreams, too. The only problem I see is that Apple already has a handheld device on the market -- the iPod.

MP3 playing is one of the primary functions people want in a good handheld, and I don't see Apple competing with itself by offering two handheld mobile devices.

Could Apple evolve the iPod into this new dream handheld by slowly adding features? I don't know. The iPod's genius is in its form factor -- it's perfect for playing MP3s. Unfortunately, the same thing that makes it a great MP3 player makes it awkward as a general purpose device. And redesigning the iPod to make a better general purpose device would make the MP3 player experience worse.

I think this, frankly, bites, because Apple is the only company that can pull off the user experience I want in a mobile device. I want it wirelessly synced with every aspect of my desktop, I want to be able to plug in a pair of headphones and watch video while lying in my hammock. I want it all integrated seamlessly, and only Apple can pull that off. But I suspect their experience with the Newton has soured them on the idea, and the iPod fills its niche so well, there's not much room left to grow. More's the pity. The iPod's a great MP3 player, but it's not anything close to what Apple could do if it tried.

Thanks for the great post.

Keys and wallet I can't help, but why not get a hiptop and replace the watch, PDA, blackberry, and your mobile? I don't work for Danger, but maybe if they see me pimping them out I'll get a free one : )

It seems from the demo this device comes closest to a way of accessing information and communication while being on the move. Vendors don't seem to understand that I don't want to do *everything* on a mobile device. And with PocketPC all developers can think of is porting desktop applications to a smaller form factor. Clearly the issues of human cognition and ergonomics is neglected by developers who are only concerned with enablement. Enablement is so often misunderstood for actual benefit or relevance. The Mac in 1984 understood this, including the one button mouse. The hardware wasn't exactly efficient as far as raw computing is concerned but it was efficient for human use. The QWERTY keyboard in Hiptop is example of this. Sure it is familiar. Sure it extends what is already out there. But is it useful. I recall anecdotaly that the QWERTY keyboard was designed to slow down typists. In any case it is meant for typing by a set of ten fingers than two thumbs.

That keyboard issue aside, the device screen shots look quite efficient in the manner they get the user from one function to other. The FAQ mention that they have their own virtual machine. This is important. A container environment, I think, is the best way to deploy applications (or rather applets) in a small device. A system of applets should surround data and provide "chaining" just like the Unix shells' filter/redirection rather than the desktop idea of apps/data. This might be a good way to approach mobile devices rather than the standalone app and file format crud.

It seems from the demo this device comes closest to a way of accessing information and communication while being on the move. Vendors don't seem to understand that I don't want to do *everything* on a mobile device. And with PocketPC all developers can think of is porting desktop applications to a smaller form factor. Clearly the issues of human cognition and ergonomics is neglected by developers who are only concerned with enablement. Enablement is so often misunderstood for actual benefit or relevance. The Mac in 1984 understood this, including the one button mouse. The hardware wasn't exactly efficient as far as raw computing is concerned but it was efficient for human use. The QWERTY keyboard in Hiptop is example of this. Sure it is familiar. Sure it extends what is already out there. But is it useful. I recall anecdotaly that the QWERTY keyboard was designed to slow down typists. In any case it is meant for typing by a set of ten fingers than two thumbs.

That keyboard issue aside, the device screen shots look quite efficient in the manner they get the user from one function to other. The FAQ mention that they have their own virtual machine. This is important. A container environment, I think, is the best way to deploy applications (or rather applets) in a small device. A system of applets should surround data and provide "chaining" just like the Unix shells' filter/redirection rather than the desktop idea of apps/data. This might be a good way to approach mobile devices rather than the standalone app and file format crud.

Pictures at http://danger.com/products.php

Or was there anything else fancy, than the market speech, that I missed?

For "testing" of course. Go here.

For a company on its way out, this is still amusing....

Thats a good point. In that case these guys look pretty cool :)

JOhn

If you have some babe cred as well, I suggest applying for this job.

I would like to point out the SonyEricsson P800 though (look in the products->coming soon). It is another phone running the Symbian OS, but a newer version. It will use the new UIQ interface, so it will have a touch screen and a stylus! It is also smaller than the 9290. It supports GPRS, and bluetooth as well. Oh ya, it has a digital camera built in too...:) It "should" be around $600-700 as well. It is also a world phone. Too bad it isn't coming out till this fall (probably later this year I'm guessing though).

One thing I would like to know about the 9290: Does it support Mac OS X? I don't know if the P800 will yet either. SonyEricsson said they won't know till later if the P800 will.

Another phone that has been on slashdot is the HipTop over a Danger This phone should be out really soon. They told me end of May begining of June...but that is now. So we will see...:)

Hope that is some intresting news for everyone! If anyone has any power at sonyericsson, I would LOVE to test a P800...:)

serff

These cellphone/PDA things look great, the problem is the cost, typicall over $500 (USD). I think the device is going to be the Danger HipTop. I saw this thing at CES and it totally rocked. It only cost $200 (USD) and then $25/month of unlimited data airtime. Pretty cool.

The Hiptop by Danger, Inc. uses a JVM to power their wireless, always-on PDA.

Danger, Inc.

Various articles about the device can be found via Google; TechTV had a reasonable review of the device.

It isn't vaporware, it just isn't out yet.

The Danger Hip-top seems a much better melding of PDA and phone. The new blackberry just has voice tacked on, and doesn't have the ergonomics of a phone.

Other advantages of the Hiptop are compatability with instant messaging clients (AIM and Yahoo Messenger, possibly others) and beatnick software for music on-the-fly.

All this in a smaller package with a smaller monthly fee. The thing looks pretty sweet to me. Now if they'd just get done beta-testing and start shipping, I'd be very happy.

Oh yes, and it's a lot cheaper too. ($199) Just another cool product from Apple expats.

I think Danger's new product, the hiptop, is much cooler.

I think Danger's new product, the hiptop, is much cooler.

• Phone
• Email
• Pager form factor
• IM
• Camera
• Not M$

Why not just give them all a hiptop?

A picture is worth a thousand words...in any language. :^)

-Ross

A few weeks ago, Woz was named to the board of Danger, Inc, which seems to be a totally separate entity from Wheels of Zeus.

Since both companies are interested in producing whiz-bang handhelds, isn't him being on the board of one company and having his own, separate company some sort of raging conflict of interest?

~Philly

I wonder how this new wireless startup will interact/affect with his role at Danger, Inc. as a member of the board. Will WoZ work with Danger, compete with them, or be completely unrelated?

Slightly off topic, but I'm sure that Apple's got more to release tomorrow than just this iMac. Specifically, you can see a (blurry) picture of something that Jobs is going to show of, at http://stream.apple.akadns.net/

I can't tell what it is. It might just be another iPod, but I'll speculate that it's another "Digital Lifestyle" device, perhaps a demo unit of something like Danger sells. I believe that Apple's buying Danger, so this is possible.

Danger is making what they call a "Hiptop" which is phone/pda/blackberry all rolled into one. They are making a camera device for it...and even more beautifully, it comes with Java, so you can write your own applets for it.

They're doing exactly what you want, and it's much cooler than PalmOS.

I've got a friend who works at Danger and that just about describes their hiptop product.

Danger's new Hiptop might sorta be what you want. They don't give axact specs on the camera. It's a pretty dope little toy though - "real" web browser, IM, email w/ attachments, phone, PDA, and camera, and its wirelessly networked. It's still not clear when you'll be able to buy one, but if they're smart, they're going to get it out in time to compete with Treo and Nokia's new phone/pda/mp3 player thingy.

Danger's new Hiptop might sorta be what you want. They don't give axact specs on the camera. It's a pretty dope little toy though - "real" web browser, IM, email w/ attachments, phone, PDA, and camera, and its wirelessly networked. It's still not clear when you'll be able to buy one, but if they're smart, they're going to get it out in time to compete with Treo and Nokia's new phone/pda/mp3 player thingy.

The Treo is the innovative product the Palm community has been expecting from Handsping, and I believe it will be a huge success. Here, in no particular order, is why:
1) Size. Have there been other smartphones? Yes. Like this? No. This is neither a clunky phone-grafted-onto-an-organizer nor a strange organizer-grafted-onto-a-phone. This is a truly integrated product. It is small enough that I will finally be able to ditch my Palm/OmniSky and Nokia for one pocketable device.
2) Keyboard. Even though I've used Graffiti for several years, I have to admit that it is still a pain. Some may disagree, but the fact is that the vast majority of users will be able to enter text faster and more accurately with a QWERTY keyboard--even a thumb keyboard. If you think such keyboards are too small, just look at the success of the RIM Blackberry to see how much people love them.
3) Software. Handspring has done a great job integrating the Palm OS with the phone. They didn't just include a "Dial" app, they've included Blazer (their wonderful browser), Messaging (SMS), Phone Book (a Palm Address Book upgrade that has dialing capabilities), a POP3 client, etc. Out of the box, this will be a true Internet phone.
4) GSM. My fellow Americans may question this (since GSM has relatively limited coverage in the U.S.), but GSM was the right choice for Handspring. When GPRS rolls out (in the U.S. Voicestream has already started), you will be able to upgrade your Treo to support an "always on" wireless connection. Always on is much better than dial-up, even Sprint's "Quick Network Connect" dial-up (which basically just means that Sprint PCS is your ISP). Other, more popular U.S. mobile standards (CDMA, TDMA) are not moving to always on as quickly as GSM (although I've heard reports AT&T is upgrading to GPRS), and a true smart phone needs an always on connection. The other (obvious) advantage of GSM is that Handspring can sell the Treo in Europe and Asia.
Anyway, I will certainly buy a Treo when it comes out, and I think many others will too. The real question is how the Treo will stack up to competitors like the Danger Hiptop.

Quite a few Be folks have moved to Danger. (gotta love those flash movies)