Danger
Hiptop / Sidekick

The Sidekick featured an always-on GPRS data connection that allowed users to access email and instant messaging services such as AOL Messenger.   Another important feature was the ability to back-up phone data to a cloud service. This was used to great effect, making it possible for Hiptop owners to store older emails and content in the cloud and free up space on the limited memory available on the device. The service was well-liked by users, however the company suffered a highly embarrassing security breach when hackers tricked a T-Mobile customer service representative into letting them gain access to Paris Hilton’s Sidekick cloud storage that provided access to the telephone numbers of her friends and topless phones of the socialite. Details of the hack can be found in this Washington Post article. The phone also featured a programme called the “Download Fun Catalog” which hosted a range of apps, ringtones and wallpapers that could be downloaded by users and were charged to their T-Mobile phone bill.