A Sneak Peek at the E-mail-Only Peek
August 26th, 2008 by Todd Haselton
We just had a hands-on with the Peek, a new device that resembles a smart phone but is strictly dedicated to serving up your e-mail. Sound dumb? To you, it should. The device is targeted strictly at non-techies that don’t have e-mail on their phones and don’t care to figure it out, either. It even says “not for hardcore techies” right on the box.
We went into our meeting a bit dumbfounded, wondering why a device should do just e-mail. But we came out realizing that, well, the Kindle is for books, and the Peek is for e-mail.
We are expecting our review unit in the next few days, but we spent some time with the device earlier today. We did notice that the Peek took a bit longer than a BlackBerry to bring up a new message window and to load the menu options. However, the user interface is dead simple, and sending new messages should be a breeze for the tech-incompetent. We loved the spacious, rubberized keyboard and its tactile feedback. You should have no problem slipping the Peek into a pocket since it is, according to Peek CEO Amol Sarva, “30 percent thinner than the iPhone.”
The $99 Peek supports IMAP and POP accounts and most Web accounts, including Yahoo and Gmail. Since it’s made for Joe Consumer, it supports images but not Office docs or other attachments.
Peek, available in black, cherry, or aqua, will cost $19.95 per month for the data connectivity (provided by T-Mobile’s network) and there’s no contract. To get one, you can visit GetPeek.com next week or go to any Target store starting on September 15 and grab one right off the shelf.
Stay tuned for a full review.
August 26th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
it is very good, a good device for me
August 26th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Okay. Can you tell us what kind of interface options we have with it? Like a USB cable?
I’m not insinuating that people will be trying to crack it like an egg or anything into a cheap terminal or anthing.
For some reason this bothers me on a fundamental level yet gives me a mean case of Want.
August 26th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
does the peek have wifi support?
August 26th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
+ also does anyone know the specs? (esp RAM)
August 26th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
MyTechSupport,
For sure. The device comes with nothing but a charger. But it does support a USB connection to your PC, and the CEO openly admitted that he was cool with people hacking it, although he expects to release a browser to it in the future and continue updating the device. He said he’s totally open for it to being hacked, so get at it.
Todd
August 27th, 2008 at 8:05 am
My first reaction: Why do I need a second device? My ‘Upon Further Reflection’ reaction: There is something to be said for “purpose built” devices that don’t try to be all things to all people, like the mentioned Kindle (with it’s cool screen from Eink) for reading books.
I like NOT having my email on my phone because I want a phone that is (a) tiny and (b) lasts for days on one charge. And I don’t want people to think I can send / receive emails 7 X 24. And if I need immediate access to someone I (or they) can (a) place a voice call (a novel idea!) or (b) text. The forced brevity of a text is perfect for the environment when someone is on the go.
But what about if I really want email when my laptop is off line, like to see an important inquiry from a prospect? This “Peek” would be just the ticket! And the fact that the company has distribution lined up with a distributor that fits the target market is brilliant; so many great products die because distribution was not available.
August 27th, 2008 at 9:37 am
I thought it was a joke in the begenning when I first heard of this device, apparently I was wrong. There are currently 3 things that shouldn’t be bought seperately (considering what’s currently available in the market) if you already own a cellphone: GPS, Web Browsing, and Email. If you can get all these features in one device (and I know that you can) then why bother getting this device, it’ll just be another device to carry around.
August 27th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Eltawil, you state, “…3 things….shouldn’t be bought separately…” Who says they shouldn’t? Some ‘higher being?.’ I can think of a number of reasons to buy them separately. But I’ll not bother listing here because, I guess, I “shouldn’t.” Let’s separate “facts” from “opinions” here. What we’re all posting are ideas, opinions; not facts. So whether someone decides they should or should not buy them separately will be their own personal decision based on their personal opinion.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:08 am
I would like one of these for my elderly mom who has no computer; the cost is right, but can it be made senior-compatible (which would be a BIG market)? That is, can the type be made large and legible, and can you type with it if you have arthritic fingers?