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.

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