Sidekick II (Hiptop 2)

2004–2006 · handheld

Specifications

Cpu: 32 MHz processor (public documentation is thin; widely cited as an ARM-based part, exact model unconfirmed), manufactured by Sharp for Danger
Ram: max: not publicly documented (soldered) · base: not publicly documented (soldered)
Ports: proprietary connector · headphone jack
Camera: VGA rear camera with LED flash and a small self-portrait mirror, new to this model (the original Hiptop had none)
Battery: Removable Li-Ion pack, rated up to 4.5 hours talk time and 60 hours standby
Display: 2.6" 240x160 transflective TFT LCD on a swivel hinge that rotates up to reveal the full QWERTY keyboard underneath
Storage: base: 16 MB internal storage, not expandable; most content synced live to Danger's backend servers rather than stored on-device · options:
Os Support: latest: Danger OS, updated over the air by T-Mobile/Danger; no user-installable OS updates · shipped: Danger OS (server-synced, thin-client architecture)
Release Price: $299 with a T-Mobile service contract

Variants

Revisions

Sidekick II (PV-100)PV-100Sharp-made standard edition, launched Aug 2004

Sidekick II Juicy Couture EditionPV-100crystal pink special edition with Juicy Couture branding, Oct 2005

Sidekick II Mister Cartoon EditionPV-100black special edition designed by Mister Cartoon, Oct 2005

Colors

Platinumstandard silver-white factory finish, 2004

Upgrade paths

battery

Removable Li-Ion pack · Tool-free swap under the back cover; original packs are now mostly dead, so replacements are the only way to keep one running.

~$20 for a third-party replacement

EASY

storage

No removable storage · Design relied on Danger's cloud servers for contacts, messages, and app data rather than on-device expansion. Those servers were shut down after Microsoft's 2011 outage and subsequent retirement of the platform, so surviving units can no longer sync.

LOCKED

other

Snap-on faceplates and cases · A large aftermarket of colored shells and the licensed Juicy Couture case let owners personalize the swivel-top design, a big part of its appeal with teens.

~$15-$30

EASY