JD Lasica talks to Hank Nothhaft, CEO of Danger, Inc., about the Sidekick II in today's Engadget interview. Now the Sidekick is a great little piece of hardware, but I doubt I'll be buying the next version. It seems every time Danger has a choice to make between end users and intermediaries, the intermediaries win out. See their stance on ringtones, for example:
JD: Can customers upload their own ringtones?
Nothhaft: No. There’s an effort by the industry to make people pay for the content on these devices.
JD: Too bad...
Danger says it's trying to reach out to independent developers, but only if they're willing to go through Danger as "gatekeeper" -- Nothhaft's word, not mine.
Nothhaft: We’re just getting started but trying to reach out to the independent developer community. A lot of the new games and applications being launched by us now are certainly all coming from third parties.
JD: What about allowing developers to create user-installable applications for the Sidekick?
Nothhaft: Not user-installable. We’re a gatekeeper in that sense. they use our developer kit, they reach an agreement with us, and then through us they can have access to our user base.
Someone forgot to tell borged-by-TMobile Danger that lots of independent software developers start out as hobbyists. They develop software to scratch an itch of their own, share it with friends, and then, perhaps, look for ways to commercialize it. Danger is also forgetting that content and network partners aren't always device manufacturers' friends. Devices are sold not just for their cool hardware (swivel screens notwithstanding), but also for the compelling applications available for them. Dry up the well of app development, and you'll find no one is crazy about a brick, even one that swivels.
Even though I like the Sidekick form factor, for my next device, I'd lean toward paying more for an open application platform, like that of the Palm-based Treo. Then I'll hope that enough others express these market preferences to help Danger see the light for version III.
Posted by Wendy at September 07, 2004 05:43 PM | TrackBackHey , Wendy;
Part of the process of growing a 'cool' set of apps for an emerging platform is being able to QC what goes out into the market. I have seen lots of palm apps, and most of them remind me of my hobbyist days with the TRS-80 and/or the first generation of PCs.
The sidekick, as a device, has lots of potential, and Danger's plans may backfire when it realizes it needs the applications to push its product, and expand its market-appeal, once the geek market is saturated.
Signed,
Faker
Hi Wendy,
Another opinion on the Danger Sidekick II: It costs much less than Palm, PocketPC, or (good Lord) Symbian based devices and gives the user similar functionality. I'm not concerned that I can't buy "Agendus" (a third party application) for the Sidekick II from the developer directly and then install or remove it on the device at my convenience. I also don't need the latest game to futz away my time with because the web is just a click or two away on a Sidekick II.
One feature I don't see available with these other solutions is the web based interface you can use to update content of a Sidekick II. All you need is access to the internet and, bingo, you've updated your contacts and calendar on T-Mobile's server and your Sidekick II very quickly. Pretty slick, IMHO, especiall since I don't use that virus called Microsoft Outlook.
And just for clarity: I'm not a Sidekick II owner, yet. I've been researching smart phone options over the past month and find the Danger Sidekick II to be a very attractive alternative to the field of Microsoft, Palm, and Symbian based devices. Maybe I'll find something that does not meet expectations, but so far it seems like a great piece of equipment in its own right.
For a Better Tomorrow...Today.
Posted by: Durffwurzle For President on November 9, 2004 09:36 AMI have a sidekick II, although there are not may applications out there for it, you can write/install any application you want, with USB Cable and a (FREE) user/pass to the Sidekick developers website.....
Posted by: Phocus on December 7, 2004 10:18 AM