At CTIA this week in New Orleans, Danger, developer of the hiptop wireless handheld, announced the availability of the beta version of its Software Development Kit (SDK) for the hiptop Development Platform, agreements to support AOL and have its device carried by Triton PCS, as well as the formation of a new advisory board and the restructuring of its board of directors.

The company said the hiptop SDK can be used by software developers to create applications for hiptop-enabled devices including the T-Mobile Sidekick, which is the first such device marketed in the United States. The beta version of the hiptop SDK is now available for download.

Danger's agreement with America Online provide AOL members with wireless access to AOL Mail via Danger's hiptop device. The Danger hiptop Wireless Solution currently supports the AOL Instant Messenger service. Danger said initial support for AOL Mail will be through the hiptop's web browser application, and is expected to be available later this spring. A "built-in" version of AOL Mail is expected to be available on hiptop devices this summer.

Triton PCS, a member of the AT&T Wireless Network and a provider of digital wireless phone services in the Southeastern United States, plans to sell wireless products based on Danger's hiptop. It will be the second carrier in the U.S., after T-Mobile, to offer Danger's hiptop-enabled devices to consumers.

Lastly, Danger announced the formation of a new advisory board and a restructuring of its board of directors. The advisory board is slated to provide technical advice and strategic guidance to the company.

The advisory board's includes Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Mike Read, president and managing director of GX Networks / Europe, as well as additional members to be added later this year.

Eric Hippeau from SOFTBANK Capital Partners has been elected to Danger's board of directors. The company said the board composition changed due to SOFTBANK's investment in Danger.

The board of directors now includes:

-- Hank Nothhaft, chairman and chief executive officer, Danger, Inc.
-- Andy Rubin, president and chief strategy officer, Danger, Inc.
-- Joe Britt, chief technology officer, Danger, Inc.
-- Cole Brodman, senior vice president, T-Mobile USA
-- Jeff Brody, partner, Redpoint Ventures
-- Greg Galanos, executive managing director, Mobius Venture Capital
-- Eric Hippeau, managing partner, SOFTBANK Capital Partners