Sidekick
MORE SCREENS. MORE POWER.
The Danger Hiptop, also re-branded as the T-Mobile Sidekick, Mobiflip and Sharp Jump is a smartphone that was produced by Danger, Inc. from 2002 to 2010. The Hiptop/Sidekick became incredibly popular in the U.S. and has been considered to be iconic in the mobile devices market. Throughout this project I have reimagined what this product might look like 10 years or so after it’s last product launch from a hardware standpoint to its user interface and a new user experience from what were are used to from today’s typical smartphones.
Left: First original Sidekick logo, Middle: Updated 2011 Sidekick Logo, Right: Reimagined Sidekick Logo
Reimagined device design
→ About this project
Problem: As smartphones advanced over the years the Sidekick has lost market share due to its lack of popularity and its full commitment to reinvent themselves to maintain popular momentum and technology advancements. What makes the sidekick unique is its patented swivel screen that reveals a keyboard underneath. Here in this project we reimagine what a new advanced Sidekick would look like it the Sidekick brand were to ever adopt these kinds of technologies to stay revilement in today’s world. One huge problem would be is a user interface adopting two screens over one and how would they function and work together to make a complete product.
Solution: In this project I have developed solutions for its unique two screen adoption. Figuring out how a user would use a two screened phone and what that user experience might be in a logical, simple user interface design.
Target audience: This product is aimed at consumers who like products that are unique and not typical from a everyday smartphone device. A younger generation that packs in advanced technologies yet simple to use.
Deliverables: All in device design, two screened user interface, user experience and packaging design.
Project type: Concept
A Look At Its History
Left: Sidekick 2 (2004) running it’s proprietary Danger OS, Right: Sidekick 4G (2011) running a modified version of Android
Research Results
Data obtained from an open Google Forms questionnaire with 48 participants.
Would you like to see the Sidekick Relaunched?
How would you feel about a 2 touch screened Sidekick device?
Would you agree that 2 screens are more productive or distracting than 1?
Would you like to see Sidekick run on its own platform or an Android based interface?
Based upon the data obtained. I took these research results into consideration to continue with a concept product using majority results.
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The Concept Product
Packaging design
The User Interface
Device Previews
