From Danger to Android: The saga of the T-Mobile Sidekick (original) (raw)

Fall 2004: Celebrities embrace a new Sidekick

The release of the color Sidekick in 2003 grabbed the attention of the celebrity crowd — including Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan — but T-Mobile stokes the flames in 2004 with the star-studded launch of the Sidekick II.

But analysts are starting to see a ceiling in the Sidekick’s target market — foreshadowing the rise of smartphones such as iPhone and Android, targeting broader markets. The Sidekick “has potential for growth, in a niche sort of way,” says one.

Next: Paris Hilton is hacked

• The Beginning: Danger is formed by three Apple veterans

• Spring 2001: Danger’s mysterious plans start to draw attention

• September 2001: Danger unveils the Hiptop

• December 2001: Woz is on board

• October 2002: Hiptop debuts on T-Mobile as the Sidekick

• Fall 2004: Celebrities embrace a new Sidekick

• February 2005: Paris Hilton is hacked

• Fall 2005: Google acquires Android, sets stage for mobile push

• February 2008: Microsoft acquires Danger

• October 2008: Danger server meltdown melts the Sidekick

• April 2010: Microsoft launches the Kin, briefly

• February 2011: End of the Sidekick’s Danger era

• March 2011: Sidekick goes Android

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