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There's color in the future for Danger and its hiptop wireless handheld. According to Cnet, Danger previewed a prototype color version to potential European customers last week at the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, France.

The hiptop is a smartphone that 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. 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, and a clickable scroll wheel for browsing. The monochrome screen swivels up to a QWERTY keyboard.

The handheld has been available in the U.S. since October 1 from T-Mobile as the Sidekick. However, it has yet to appear in Europe. The issue with Europe is the hiptop's monochrome screen, which Danger believes as limiting the appeal of the device, even though it keeps the price down.

"The market in Europe has gone from monochrome to color, which is one of the reasons we don't have a device in that market," said Danger CEO Hank Nothhaft. Nothhaft went on to say that a color version of the hiptop should be available in Europe by the end of the year with no estimated time of delivery for a color model in the U.S.

The T-Mobile Sidekick retails for $199 after a $50 rebate. The introductory price plan of $39.99 a month gives customers 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.