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Danger has released a new version of its Hiptop smartphone that is nearly identical to the current model, expect that it has a tri-band GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 radio rather than a single band GSM/GPRS 1900 MHz radio. So far, the new model is only being offered by wireless carrier Fido in Canada.

This new model is not the expected third generation Hiptop unveiled back in February, at the 3GSM World Congress. That model was also confirmed last month by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with some images on its website as part of the standard approval process all wireless devices must go through in the United States.

The interim tri-band model allows users of the Hiptop to leverage the device around the world. It also includes an improved software bundle, version 1.3, which is also available for free to current Hiptop users.

The software adds significant new capabilities, such as a Catalog menu for point-and-click downloading of new content and applications that includes games and ringtones featuring Sony Music artists, a cut/copy/paste feature for text editing, sound profile management, repeating alerts, new submenus for navigation, AOL Instant Messenger enhancements, and a bilingual language feature (French or English).

Other than the addition of a tri-band radio and the new software bundel, the new model, like the previous one, integrates a mobile phone with a Web browser, email, an organizer, games and other features. It has 65,536 color, 2.6-inch and 240 x 160 pixel display with a full QWERTZ keyboard for data entry. Users can also take pictures with a camera add-on.

Fido is selling the new model for $475 (Canadian) without an agreement and for $275 with one.

Hiptop, the Next Generation

T-Mobile offered the first Sidekick with a monochrome display back in the Fall of 2002. The device allowed users to surf the Web, send and receive email, chat using AOL Instant Messenger service, play games, take and e-mail mobile snapshots and talk on the phone with an external headset, among other more standard PDA functions, such as a calendar and a note taking application. It featured a QWERTY thumb-keyboard and a swivel display.

The second generation Hiptop/Sidekick appeared over a year ago. The main advantage of this device over the initial model was a 240 x 160-pixel resolution and 65,536 color screen.

It looks like the third generation Hiptop will have the same resolution screen at the same color depth. However, initial rumors about the device said the display would be brighter and clearer than the one found in the current model.

The Hiptop II should also maintain the same swivel display design, which reveals the thumb-keyboard, as well as the same width and length as the current model. It'll be about a quarter-inch thinner and should integrate a digital camera and a flash.


Back of Hiptop II

Older Hiptop models use an attachment to add camera functionality. Integrating a digital camera into a mobile phone, let alone a smartphone aimed at consumers, has become par for the course in the wireless industry.

It appears the smartphone will lack Bluetooth, which means users won't be able to use the Hiptop II with Bluetooth enabled wireless headsets and other peripherals, such as printers. The GSM/GPRS smartphone should deliver Web access at up to 144 kbps.