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Back in January 2004 Mark/Space announced a utility to allow T-Mobile's Sidekick (also known as the Danger hiptop) to sync with desktop computers running Mac OS X.

Today, the synchronization specialist finally brings that capability to the original and latest edition (Sidekick II/Danger hiptop2) of the smartphone. MarkSpace had this software ready for consumers for quite a while, but could not release it until Danger gave them permission, which wasn't forthcoming. It appears the company finally received the okay.

Why MarkSpace would need Danger's permission is not clear, as third-party software for smartphone platforms is commonplace. (see Mac Support for hiptop II in Danger)

Missing Sync for hiptop synchronizes contacts, to-dos, and calendar information between Mac OS X with its Address Book and iCal applications and the popular device. It does this by integrating with Apple's iSync technology for a two-way data synchronization capability.

Since the Sidekick receives updates wirelessly, the Missing Sync software actually synchronizes with the device's Internet-connected desktop software and not the smartphone directly.

Missing Sync for hiptop sells for $29.95 and is currently compatible with Mac OS X 10.3.8 and 10.3.9. Support for the newest version of the Mac OS (Tiger) should arrive with an update this June.

Sidekick II/hiptop2
T-Mobile started shipping the Sidekick II back in September, while a second carrier, SunCom Wireless, delivered the mobile handset to its customers in the south eastern part of the United States the next month.

As with earlier hiptop models, the hiptop2/Sidekick II lets you make phone calls, surf the Web, send and receive e-mail and SMS messages, take pictures and more, from what can best be described as a BlackBerry for the consumer set.

Similar to Research In Motion's BlackBerry handhelds in concept, hiptop2/Sidekick II's main role is to support mobile messaging and communications, with a QWERTY thumb-keyboard to boot. Unlike BlackBerries with their businesslike, utilitarian design, hiptops/Sidekicks are decidedly sleeker and more colorful—clearly designed to appeal to the young and hip.

Though it is called hiptop2/Sidekick II, the smartphone is really the third generation of the platform. The first edition used a monochrome display, while the second model added a color screen (read our review). hiptoip2/Sidekick II delivers much the same features as the first two, but in a more compact and powerful package.

The new handset is 25-percent smaller than the previous model. It also integrates its camera as well as a flash to make picture taking more user-friendly. (Snapping images with earlier Sidekicks required an awkward camera attachment.)


Rear Veiw: hiptop2 as Camera

hiptop2/Sidekick II maintains the hiptop platform's distinctive swivel design, whereby its display slides open to uncover its QWERTY keyboard. There is 6MB of memory for storing e-mail and other documents. Users can view attachments too, including Word, image, and PDF files. Lastly, Yahoo! Messenger is now available for download in addition to the previously supported AOL Instant Messenger service.

Phone-wise, Danger added a speakerphone to the platform. In addition, several buttons on the outside of the device make it easier to use as a mobile handset, while a separate keypad has been inserted within the QWERTY keyboard for dialing numbers. Danger promises 4.5 hours of talk time from a single charge of the battery.