T-Mobile Sidekick

At the other end of the smartphone spectrum is T-Mobile's Sidekick (built and designed by Danger and its hiptop Wireless Solution), a 6.2 ounces wireless device that is aimed squarely at the consumer market. The T-Mobile Sidekick allows users to surf the Web, send and receive email, chat using AOL Instant Messenger service, play games, take and email 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.

According to T-Mobile, Sidekick users can send and receive email and attachments from up to three POP3 email accounts. It features a 2.6-inch 240 x 160 pixel backlit monochrome screen, a full HTML browser, and a clickable scroll wheel for browsing. The monochrome screen swivels up to a QWERTY keyboard. It is fully integrated with a version of AOL's Instant Messenger service, allowing users to keep instant messaging active in the background while surfing the web. It also includes custom ring tones, blinking lights and caller ID icons.

T-Mobile Sidekick

The T-Mobile Sidekick retails for $199 after a $50 rebate. The introductory price plan of $39.99 a month gives users unlimited data usage -- all the Web surfing, email, and AIM service they want for one year -- plus 200 anytime voice minutes and 1,000 weekend minutes, with free long distance. Thee Sidekick operates on T-Mobile's GSM/GPRS network.