Peek: the handheld that does e-mail, and only e-mail

Ready for some excitement in the form of watching a startup squirm as it waits for its product to gain traction? Take a glance at Peek, which is churning out a dedicated handheld that handles e-mail, a few chain forwards, and more e-mails when you're done with that. At first glance, one may consider such a one-trick-pony quite ridiculous, but it's hard to say what will end up catching on these days. The biggest problem facing Peek is the pricing: it'll be $99.95 up front when it lands in Target next month, plus $19.95 per month to send unlimited e-mails over T-Mobile's network. Of course, if anyone figures out how to load Opera Mini up here, the Bulls-eye Shop won't be able to keep the shelves stocked.

[Via Silicon Alley Insider]

[Todd @ Aug 20th 2008 5:37PM]

"...Of course, if anyone figures out how to load Opera Mini up here, the Bulls-eye Shop won't be able to keep the shelves stocked."

I'd say if I can get Opera Mini AND Skype on it, then Target couldn't keep them in stock ( and the T-Mo lawyers at bay ).

[Alex @ Aug 21st 2008 1:45AM]

I doubt that.

Even if it had a browser I would think it would still be limited to an extent.

I mean continuing from my post below...no wifi...screw that.

TMobile may be good for some people but where I live, it's downright embarrassing.

[Alex @ Aug 21st 2008 1:47AM]

I forgot to mention Skype. Yes, that could be really cool.

But TMobile will bitch 24/7 about it. And if you only ran on wifi...you might as well call it a skype phone with email. But if your in your house you might as well just check your email there...so sort of defeats the purpose.

[BigD145 @ Aug 20th 2008 5:41PM]

$20 a month? Yeesh. You might as well pick up a PDA phone and deal with Windows Mobile or Palm. You'll certainly get more bang for your buck.

[Setnev @ Aug 20th 2008 6:21PM]

@BigD145

Exactly the reason i like my Blackberry, which was free with instant rebate from WalMart for signing up with T-Mobile

[alberto @ Aug 20th 2008 5:48PM]

What a waste of tech. and money. Sticking Opera Mini would be something they should of done in the first place.

[white_ultras @ Aug 21st 2008 1:59AM]

Brilliant idea, if you ask me. Ideal for people who hangs on email and do not want PC full of viruses to handle them. Just a secure island for important emailing. Unfortunatelly market for this thing must really be limited. Kudos to anybody who dared and spend money to bring this to life.

[Randavance @ Aug 21st 2008 1:48PM]

Actually I could see a good niche in the market for this thing. I happen to have met a number of very smart antisocial engineers who simply hate the idea of people being able to call them and rely on email alone for long distance communication.

Plus this thing would be bundles of fun to hack into a Linux command line based system that could ssh.

[poached @ Aug 21st 2008 2:37PM]

yep

[kk @ Aug 20th 2008 5:49PM]

Hmm... If I could drop the whole 'voice' side of my iPhone plan, and just pay the $20 a month data charge for unlimited email, web, maps, etc, I would do it in a heartbeat.

This little thing could make a run for it. Like a simple Blackberry. I like scrappy little startups willing to take a jab at the big players, albeit a little underfeatured.

[CraigJ @ Aug 20th 2008 6:10PM]

"a little underfeatured"

Kinda like Rosie O'Donnel is "a little" unattractive?

[Lowest Ranked @ Aug 20th 2008 6:35PM]

Rosie O'Donnel is a little overweight.

[i.c. weiner @ Aug 21st 2008 1:31AM]

if you want to drop the voice side of your iphone plan, just get an ipod touch.

[loosely_coupled @ Aug 21st 2008 5:53AM]

I believe they in fact have a plan just like that, for only data and text messaging. It is made for the hearing impaired, but I don't think you have to "prove" a disability. You should call AT&T about it... say you have a family member who is deaf

[John @ Aug 21st 2008 7:25AM]

if he gets an iPod touch, he only has wifi, and no EDGE/3G. Not really the same thing in the end.

[me @ Aug 25th 2008 12:10PM]

Or how Rosie O'Donell is "a little" butch?

[CraigJ @ Aug 20th 2008 6:07PM]

Makes no sense.

My AT&T voice account was $50 a month.

I got an iPhone, and for an extra $20 a month I get unlimited data and as many e-mail accounts configured as I want, plus now I have exchange support. I think it's basically the same for BB/Palm/WinMo.

$20 a month for just e-mail? They should have launched this in 2002. Except RiM be them to it by 5 or 6 years.

I predict total failure within 12 months.

[bluecifer @ Aug 20th 2008 6:09PM]

seriously?

[targe @ Aug 20th 2008 6:17PM]

Great idea, this!!!!!....

Now all they need to do is add web access, a camera and the ability to play mp3s...

Oh...and voice capability...

and then they would have a....oh wait...I think that's been done already.

Never mind.

[Alex @ Aug 20th 2008 6:09PM]

No wifi?

[Juxtah @ Aug 20th 2008 6:15PM]

With a proper browser, and if it only cost $5 a month it could be worth it. As it is now, no way.

[Jonathan Bryce @ Aug 20th 2008 6:16PM]

$20 a month? I don't see how anyone will go for this.

[ajfarson @ Aug 21st 2008 1:39AM]

They are targeting (pun) the typical consumers. I am willing to be a large percentage of cellular customers don't even know they can get phones that surf the web and check email... It may be popular for the uniformed. Stranger things have happened (Starbucks).

[Christian @ Aug 20th 2008 6:17PM]

$20 a month for emails only is steep, maybe $9.99 cuz Sidekick can do unlimited email/SMS/MMS for $20. It better be html style emails too not text base... Also this better have a large capacity for huge attachments, would be great if this is also a portable flash/hard drive to carry with you...

[Wonderkid @ Aug 20th 2008 6:18PM]

Dear Peek & Engadget: I was reading about something similar (if not better) the other day. It not only does email, for about the same price on a low cost tarrif, but adds text messaging, a camera, a web browser, contact management, a few mini desktop apps and even a music player with a 3.5mm headpone jack. Oh, and you can make phone calls on it too. Just trying to remember the name! I have a mental image of a dark fruit that some housewives mix with apple for a nice desert. Hmmm. I have seen quite a few around - millions in fact. Have you?

[Amani576 @ Aug 20th 2008 6:28PM]

I think you're talking about the Meizu M8...
Oh...
Wait...
Nevermind.
GR

[austin @ Aug 20th 2008 7:05PM]

why would you mix apples and apples?

[Kel @ Aug 20th 2008 10:15PM]

blackberry DAMMIT

[Eric @ Aug 20th 2008 6:20PM]

Opera Mini won't even install on my Blackberry. What hope does this Crackerjack toy have?

[Nightmare @ Aug 20th 2008 7:35PM]

@ eric

Try www.getjar.com from ur blackberry, it will give you the appropriate download for opera mini browser for the blackberry, it worked on my curve. i wasnt happy withe the blackberry browser so i went to getjar and downloaded it, hope that helps you, er maybe it just works on curve???

[wazzupalex @ Aug 20th 2008 6:21PM]

Test

[Adam @ Aug 20th 2008 6:34PM]

Kind of like a 1st Gen Blackberry

[J @ Aug 21st 2008 11:56AM]

Exactly like a first gen Blackberry - anyone else have Deja Vu when they saw this?

[tycen @ Aug 20th 2008 6:37PM]

Actually, I coulld see this making a lot of sense for business and enterprise users that want their employees tethered, but don't want to pay for a full blown voice/data plan. But, I would expect a company to launch in Target if they were trying to attract business and enterprise users.

[Tycen @ Aug 20th 2008 6:38PM]

*EDIT
But, I would NOT expect a company to launch in Target...

[xman @ Aug 20th 2008 6:39PM]

They are kidding....... Why oh why???
This thing is DOA think about the Sony MYLO at least it can do so much more and where are they with that offering?
Secondly, this thing won't even take advantage of T-Mobile's 3G probably EDGE at best. So you are better off getting a Sidekick.

[my_ebiz @ Aug 20th 2008 6:51PM]

I don't get it. This looks exactly like an 8 year old BlackBerry. Do we know if this thing even has push email?

I'm on my way to their website to see if I can find out which VC was stupid enough to invest in this joke.

[Aztec @ Aug 20th 2008 6:51PM]

Um... this is a great idea. I pay $15 a month for texting alone. If I can pair one of these up with a pay as you go phone, that would be perfect! $20 for email + Pay as you go phone seems very reasonable to me.

[CanisMinor @ Aug 20th 2008 7:06PM]

If they have any kind of success at all, I fully expect RIM to bring out the patent-lawyer-guns a-blasting given their obvious thumb-wheel rip-off...

[Bob @ Aug 20th 2008 7:08PM]

I found their dev blog:

http://blog.getpeek.com

Rather interesting stuff.

[my_ebiz @ Aug 20th 2008 7:09PM]

Aztec - NOT texting...just email.

[my_ebiz @ Aug 20th 2008 7:10PM]

I'm thinking of producing a television that only does black & white.

[Jason @ Aug 21st 2008 12:46AM]

Yes, and he will avoid patent issues because there will be no grayscale...only black...and white.

[wickedpheonix @ Aug 20th 2008 7:11PM]

This could actually work if marketed right, and the evidence of to who they're trying to market this at is in where they're launching it: target. Basically, give it a great UI experience that everyone can use, and you're telling granny all the benefits of email - a "wireless typewriter" or something. Basically for anyone without an internet connection or familiarity with computers (yes, they do exist), $20/month actually wouldn't be that bad.

Of course for the rest of us sheep in Steve Jobs' gigantic iPhone flock, this is pointless. But it still has merit.

[Maeztro @ Aug 20th 2008 7:16PM]

I predict they will sell millions of these...and by millions I mean none.

[MIke @ Aug 20th 2008 7:21PM]

I think its a good idea. Nice low priced alternative to Blackberry and iPhone. Though I think the price is too high. It should be priced around $50 for the handheld with monthly fees around $10. At this price I think they will have 100x more subscribers.

[Chris A. Wronski @ Aug 20th 2008 7:38PM]

@Mike

It's not a "nice" low cost alternative to the Blackberry or iPhone. Those both do indefinetely more things and cost $30 per month on top of a phone plan. With this you pay only $10 less, get strictly email and nothing else, and are forced to carry a second communication device.

[Captain Jack Teague @ Aug 20th 2008 7:38PM]

Lets see... the device looks nice and slim though I'm thinking the better choice in my book to be a sidekick with no voice. Unlimited date for only $30/month from t-Mobile. take a peek at their site!

[Mark @ Aug 20th 2008 8:12PM]

Actually, this may be a perfect solution for me. I 'settled' on a Sidekick because I wanted email, but not necessarily everything else, including the cell phone, but it was the best deal for unlimited email at the time. Get most everything by email now including voicemails, faxes, reminders, notes, etc. Text is unreliable, but email from those that I want to receive get through most every time (with a little setup sometimes). Rarely use the cell phone anymore (headaches from emf and poor reception in my area) so instead of paying 70+ for my sidekick with unlimited email, 20 a month for just simple email is a bargain and may be the solution for me. Look forward to checking out the features to see what it can (and can't) do. We don't need no stinkin cell phone! :)

[scott @ Aug 20th 2008 8:17PM]

poor little start-up...