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Danger Inc., a Palo Alto based start-up, is characterising its wireless creation as a "hiptop" device. The hiptop has all the functions of many Internet-enabled PDAs, letting users save personal data, send e-mails and attachments and surf the Internet. However Danger's device does a great deal more, also handling voice calls, instant messaging, taking pictures, and running video games and other Java programs.
The gaming function is the most obvious point where the hiptop differs from similar products. With the games feature, the hiptop, which is about the same size as Nintendo's GameBoy Advance, effectively becomes a one-size fits all device that could be as popular with business people at it will be with teenagers.
Unlike many other wireless devices of its ilk, the hiptop does not require a hands-free kit to use the phone features. When folded up, the device simply operates as a normal mobile phone. Unfolded, the hiptop features a full QWERTY keyboard for use with its 16-shade grey scale screen. Colour models are due to be introduced in 2002.
The hiptop's software is perhaps the most unique aspect of the system. On the Web-side, the hiptop handles full HTML content from the Internet, rather than slimmed-down versions such as WML (used in WAP) or cHTML (i-mode). The technology optimises images and other Web content specifically for the hiptop, and the company claims this will make the surfing experience significantly better than on other wireless Internet devices.
Danger's Internet access software, called Active State Technology (AST), is where the company expects to make most of its money, partly through licensing to manufacturers. To use the technology users are charged on a per-month basis. AST acts as a server to a proprietary Java-based thin client operating system running on the handsets themselves, with open APIs (application program interface) to enable developers to write applications to it.
"Personal organizers do a good job storing phone numbers and appointments but require expensive equipment and confusing configurations for an Internet connection," said Andy Rubin, president and chief executive officer of Danger, Inc. "Cell phones are great for voice calls but users are restricted to less than one percent of the Internet and must use number keypads to interact with data. The hiptop solves these shortcomings."
For the moment, the hiptop will only be sold in the US through mobile operators and will have a price of around USD200. It is unclear when the hiptop will hit Ireland's shores but Orange plans to launch the device, which is enabled for GPRS, in the second quarter of 2002. When launched by Orange, the device is expected to sell for around STG150 in the UK.
The hiptop was unveiled in early September at DEMOmobile conference in La Jolla California. The conference focuses exclusively on the products and technologies that are shaping the mobile and wireless technology marketplace.
Danger was founded in January 2000 by Apple, Philips and WebTV veterans Andy Rubin, Joe Britt and Matt Hershenson. The company is privately held and is backed by SBVC with USD11 million in financing.
Danger can be found at http://www.danger.com.
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