For many of us, the mere thought of toting yet another device in our pocket, purse, or belt holster is truly disgusting, particularly when said device resembles a primitive BlackBerry hewn from solid stone and does literally nothing but send and receive email for twenty bucks a month. For others, though, the
Peek might be just what the doctor ordered. Laptop Magazine took a quick look at the $100 email-only brick, declaring it "dead simple" to use -- a good thing, considering its target demo -- and finding its expansive soft-touch keyboard easy on the fingers. As ugly as it might be, it'll be easy enough to hide; Laptop says users will have no issues tucking it into a pocket, owing in no small part to the fact that it's a full 30 percent thinner than the
iPhone 3G. Still, we're going to like 'em ten times better when they're hacked to run
Android, Doom,
Maemo, or pretty much anything else that ends in "ux."
Update: Gadling's
got a hands-on with the Peek as well and expects to post a full review in the next few days. Have a... peek, why don't you?
posted Aug 26th 2008 8:57PM
Eek!
A sneak peak for the geek leet.
Sweet! Keep the beat.
"curiosity" does not rhyme with "ee". FAIL.
Hello again geeks (that is, hello from Peek)
Our Peeksters are still counting the votes over in this thread from
the 50 or so people clamoring for a Peek --
http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/20/peek-the-handheld-that-does-e-mail-and-only-e-mail/2#comments
Same offer applies here as there. Post your quiz answers on this
thread and we'll include you in the free Peeks pool.
We know you guys like your smartphones. We made one with less of
everything for people want things to be easier. You probably know someone like this. They are the ones who find the 7 remotes in your living room annoying. They can't remember if your new TV is 1080i or 1040ez. They forward you jokes. They pay half the rent...
For them, we made a nifty email personal email service for non-geeks with less of everything:
- less setup, less than 5 minutes from Target's checkout line to
getting your emails
- less chunky, super thin (9.9mm = 30% thinner than yours),
- less cluttered, more cool looking (IDEO designed),
- less power usage so endless battery life (5 days = 2-3x yours),
- less cramped screen -- it's big and wide
- less "alt" and "shift" -- ultra simple keyboard (like, an @ key;
find that on yours),
- no new accounts -- works with your current email account (even
Yahoo! or Gmail or
whatever with no ports or forwarding settings),
- no salesmen - just grab it at Target
- no contracts (0 years),
- no hidden fees (none) or other nonsense (400 page bill?),
- no Verizon/AT&T/Sprint/T-Mobile to deal with....
We'll be on the lookout for quiz answers posted here with >5 checks. Or just email me at amol at getpeek dot com like all you folks did on the last thread (you know who you are)
- Amol from Peek
1_x_ "I don't like the cell phone company and the thought of calling them makes me want to puke."
2_x_ "Yes, of course I do e-mail."
3___ "I have a cell phone already and it's on a contract, so maybe I'll consider that new phone you showed me next year some time."
4___ "2-year contracts suck. Actually, all contracts suck."
5_x_ "Sure my phone plan *says* it's $70 per month, but it comes out to like $94 after taxes and stuff. And I think that is lame."
6_x_ "I don't want to carry that burrito-sized thing you keep calling a 'smartphone'."
7___ "I want this thing to be working in like 5 minutes flat and no I don't want you to do it for me (but thanks for offering)."
8___ "That sure sounds cool, but I'm not sure I need a telnet client on my phone right now."
9___ "Okay, so you got port forwarding to work on your Airport Express. THAT is why you were late for my birthday dinner?"
10_x_ "Super thin device, cool looking, endless battery life, big screen, ultra simple keyboard, works with my current email account, buy it at Target, no contracts, no hidden fees or other nonsense, no Verizon/AT&T/Sprint/T-Mobile to deal with, and only $100....I like it"
What kind of email and attachment types does this device support?
HTML formatting?
Images?
Word docs?
Excel sheets?
PDF?
"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."
-http://blog.laptopmag.com/a-sneak-peek-at-the-e-mail-only-peek
Having even a crappy 0.3mp camera on the thing for attachments would have been good.
1_x_ "I don't like the cell phone company and the thought of calling them makes me want to puke."
2_x_ "Yes, of course I do e-mail."
3___ "I have a cell phone already and it's on a contract, so maybe I'll consider that new phone you showed me next year some time."
4__x_ "2-year contracts suck. Actually, all contracts suck."
5_x_ "Sure my phone plan *says* it's $70 per month, but it comes out to like $94 after taxes and stuff. And I think that is lame."
6_x_ "I don't want to carry that burrito-sized thing you keep calling a 'smartphone'."
7__x_ "I want this thing to be working in like 5 minutes flat and no I don't want you to do it for me (but thanks for offering)."
8___ "That sure sounds cool, but I'm not sure I need a telnet client on my phone right now."
9___ "Okay, so you got port forwarding to work on your Airport Express. THAT is why you were late for my birthday dinner?"
10_x_ "Super thin device, cool looking, endless battery life, big screen, ultra simple keyboard, works with my current email account, buy it at Target, no contracts, no hidden fees or other nonsense, no Verizon/AT&T/Sprint/T-Mobile to deal with, and only $100....I like it"
mrgam3r,are you always such a buzzkill?
This actually looks like an interesting device. Don't mind the naysayers!
Take this handy quiz. Put a check if you know someone who would agree with these quotes below:
1_X_ "I don't like the cell phone company and the thought of calling them makes me want to puke."
2_X_ "Yes, of course I do e-mail."
3_X_ "I have a cell phone already and it's on a contract, so maybe I'll consider that new phone you showed me next year some time."
4_X_ "2-year contracts suck. Actually, all contracts suck."
5_X_ "Sure my phone plan *says* it's $70 per month, but it comes out to like $94 after taxes and stuff. And I think that is lame."
6_X_ "I don't want to carry that burrito-sized thing you keep calling a 'smartphone'."
7_X_ "I want this thing to be working in like 5 minutes flat and no I don't want you to do it for me (but thanks for offering)."
8___ "That sure sounds cool, but I'm not sure I need a telnet client on my phone right now."
9___ "Okay, so you got port forwarding to work on your Airport Express. THAT is why you were late for my birthday dinner?"
10_X_ "Super thin device, cool looking, endless battery life, big screen, ultra simple keyboard, works with my current email account, buy it at Target, no contracts, no hidden fees or other nonsense, no Verizon/AT&T/Sprint/T-Mobile to deal with, and only $100....I like it"
1_X_ "I don't like the cell phone company and the thought of calling them makes me want to puke."
2_X_ "Yes, of course I do e-mail."
3_X_ "I have a cell phone already and it's on a contract, so maybe I'll consider that new phone you showed me next year some time."
4_X_ "2-year contracts suck. Actually, all contracts suck."
5_X_ "Sure my phone plan *says* it's $70 per month, but it comes out to like $94 after taxes and stuff. And I think that is lame."
6_X_ "I don't want to carry that burrito-sized thing you keep calling a 'smartphone'."
7_X_ "I want this thing to be working in like 5 minutes flat and no I don't want you to do it for me (but thanks for offering)."
8___ "That sure sounds cool, but I'm not sure I need a telnet client on my phone right now."
9___ "Okay, so you got port forwarding to work on your Airport Express. THAT is why you were late for my birthday dinner?"
10_X_ "Super thin device, cool looking, endless battery life, big screen, ultra simple keyboard, works with my current email account, buy it at Target, no contracts, no hidden fees or other nonsense, no Verizon/AT&T/Sprint/T-Mobile to deal with, and only $100....I like it"
The title... ha. I love the title. Might be the best one I've seen.
This is Dr. Seuss, you'll be hearing from my attorney.
TRUE!
Eeeeeeeew!
How ugly art thee? Let me count the ways...
I believe you meant to say "thou".
I believe it would be "thou."
No, I'm pretty sure he meant "thee"
GR
The font on the keypad reminds me of those little Radica video poker games... probably fitting.
really? because it reminds me of Arial, italicized in CAPS
Hey, the 90's called. They want their keyboard back.
i wish everyone would just get an iphone so we wouldnt even have to deal with these other pos phones and what not
Your name obviously shows your not bias, I love how your totally not trolling Engadget!
@Cerberus:
Oh my God.... Learn to use words properly, please. YOU'RE and BIASED.
Or just delete the 'not' ;)
Actually, YOUR is correct.
Actually, lurk, the correction was completely founded. The person they were referring to said "your not bias" and meant "you are not biased".
Your is not the same as you're. Your is possessive (i.e. "Your house is really nice."). You're is an accusatory contraction (i.e. "You're making an ass out of yourself by trying to improperly correct an already proper correction.").
THE worst alliteration ever!
THE worst doublepost evar.
Really? Interesting.
Because Alliteration is the repetition of the first consonant sound
your thinking of assonance - the repetition of vowel sounds
Hey. I want in on the fun.
Hey zann.... you're thinking of "you're".
THE worst alliteration ever!
THE worst doublepost evar.
I don't know, yours is pretty bad too.
Really? Interesting.
Because Alliteration is the repetition of the first consonant sound
your thinking of assonance - the repetition of vowel sounds
Hey. I want in on the fun.
This type of device seems completley pointless in this day and age...
That's the point.
Most people won't need this.
But look at it. It's a dedicated device that does one thing really well.
Besides. It will probably be hacked in short order into.... something.
The market has grown to the point that there is room for specialized devices that focus on a single function. Yes, it is a niche market and not for everyone. For those who need something like this it is probably better than using a less optimized combination device. (of course, I don't know enough about this thing yet to know if it really is optimized or not)
I don't think its that ugly. Its black square bezel is nice, and its thin aswell. This is just a bad just a bad picture is all. The keyboard is the only thing that looks bad to me, but if its easy to use I wouldn't mind.
Not that i'm going to buy one of these things or anything, i don't need one
This type of device seems utterly pointless in this day and age...
Just curious, what type of jobs do actually require a email only device?
Construction, or delivery?
When you just need to send messages to people in the field, and don't need an expensive part-time pmp/part-time smartphone, this is the perfect choice.
Ahh the techno snob. Did it ever occur to you that just like the ever popular subnotebook that not everyone needs the kitchen sink. Hell this is PERFECT to deploy in a company where you don't need to give everyone
1. A laptop
2. A cell phone.
3. Expensive data plans to go with either.
so bring it on.
I like the title. And actually, I think this looks pretty cool, but then again, I think the pager is due for a comeback.
lol, the pager.
if you work in a teaching hospital, pagers are everywhere. I have seen doctors carry two or three depending on what service(s) they are covering.
Love the title! How are they going to make this compatible with Hotmail? Cause it doesn't support IMAP/Push.
Evrything that end in "UX"?
Like DUX, or like SUX?
It's cool that a new tech device is being aimed at a specific segment of the market. I'm just not sure which segment that is. All the non-techies I know still use a cell phone, whether it's a full out plan, or it's prepaid and they keep it in case of emergencies. I don't think this will substitute (try emailing 911). In addition, anyone who's tech savy enough to have a computer and email will also proabably want a cell phone. Would any of those people feel comfortable walking around with their phone + 1 big gadget (Peek)?
As for a company outfitting an employee with the Peek - sure, the company would save money, but at the expense of being able to have all channels available to reach / communicate with the employee? If the company only needs email to communicate with the employee, then, in the company's opinion, is communication with that employee important enough to warrant spending $100 + $20/mo?
I am unconvinced and my interest remains unpiqued.
I"m guessing it's for people that get an assload of email, don't want a smartphone, but don't want to reply using a tiny screen and a number pad.
lol @ the title
Freak Peek geek technique leaks sneak peek, meek streak; Mozambique teak reeks (eek!); Sikh Peak's bleak; Greeks shriek!
A compound sentence made of 18 homonyms. What mystique!
A response to Craig B's comment: "As for a company outfitting an employee with the Peek - sure, the company would save money, but at the expense of being able to have all channels available to reach / communicate with the employee?"
My Response: Almost every large investment bank (e.g. Goldman Sachs, where I used to work) rely on blackberrys solely for their email capability--the phone feature is not even activated. It's a given that employees have personal cell phones or smartphoes, in addition to the blackberry you get from work.
That said, I think PEEK makes a lot of sense for casual emailers. People who don't want to buy some smartphone that doesn't do any one thing well, or just costs too damn much with a high monthly bill and a 2-year contract committment.
Cool... New item for the Gristmill. { Evil laughter herd! }
"...Android, Doom, Maemo, or pretty much anything else that ends in "ux.""
Umm... anything ELSE? But nothing in the beginning of that sentence has ux, so it else makes no sense...
-Taylor
Oh, come on, you know what I meant...
1_X "I don't like the cell phone company and the thought of calling them makes me want to puke."
2_X "Yes, of course I do e-mail."
3_X_ "I have a cell phone already and it's on a contract, so maybe I'll consider that new phone you showed me next year some time."
4_X_ "2-year contracts suck. Actually, all contracts suck."
5_X_ "Sure my phone plan *says* it's $70 per month, but it comes out to like $94 after taxes and stuff. And I think that is lame."
6_X_ "I don't want to carry that burrito-sized thing you keep calling a 'smartphone'."
7_X_ "I want this thing to be working in like 5 minutes flat and no I don't want you to do it for me (but thanks for offering)."
8__ "That sure sounds cool, but I'm not sure I need a telnet client on my phone right now."
9___ "Okay, so you got port forwarding to work on your Airport Express. THAT is why you were late for my birthday dinner?"
10_X_ "Super thin device, cool looking, endless battery life, big screen, ultra simple keyboard, works with my current email account, buy it at Target, no contracts, no hidden fees or other nonsense, no Verizon/AT&T/Sprint/T-Mobile to deal with, and only $100....I like it"
1_X_ "I don't like the cell phone company and the thought of calling them makes me want to puke."
2_X_ "Yes, of course I do e-mail."
3___ "I have a cell phone already and it's on a contract, so maybe I'll consider that new phone you showed me next year some time."
4_X_ "2-year contracts suck. Actually, all contracts suck."
5_X_ "Sure my phone plan *says* it's $70 per month, but it comes out to like $94 after taxes and stuff. And I think that is lame."
6___ "I don't want to carry that burrito-sized thing you keep calling a 'smartphone'."
7___ "I want this thing to be working in like 5 minutes flat and no I don't want you to do it for me (but thanks for offering)."
8___ "That sure sounds cool, but I'm not sure I need a telnet client on my phone right now."
9___ "Okay, so you got port forwarding to work on your Airport Express. THAT is why you were late for my birthday dinner?"
10_X_ "Super thin device, cool looking, endless battery life, big screen, ultra simple keyboard, works with my current email account, buy it at Target, no contracts, no hidden fees or other nonsense, no Verizon/AT&T/Sprint/T-Mobile to deal with, and only $100....I like it"
That shit is badassss! Looks like some sweet batman tech
Holy cow Batman! You've got mail!
So basically if you added AppStore, you would have an iphone with a keyboard?
I couldn't even type that without smiling.
Great title CZ, keep it coming.
Actually if in addition to personal email, it came bundled with Microsoft Outlook I would definately want one. A lot of times when I'm not around my PC important email's could come in. Something like this would be useful.
Why Outlook? Meetings, reminders and others things common in a tech. company.
Oh, but then if i need to send attachments with an email how would i access my PC? Does this synch wirelessly with Windows Explorer?
, if it came bundled etc..
Honestly, I think that with all of the other types of devices that have this included in their functionality, it might be a little difficult to find a target audience. The keyboard doesn't seem like something that would be easy enough for a senior to use and most students that are too young to get their own cell phones (if such a thing is even needed) have e-mail access at school and at home. I see it going the way of WebTV (and for the same reasons). It's about the same price as the grown-up devices that do so much more. The only real benefit over a smartphone (or even a feature-phone) is that there's no contract. But really, what potential user (other than the types that wouldn't need a device like this anyway) doesn't have something with this functionality included on contract already?
Maybe I'm just overlooking the group this thing is intended for? =\
- less setup, less than 5 minutes from Target's checkout line to
getting your emails [[YES]]
- less chunky, super thin (9.9mm = 30% thinner than yours),
- less cluttered, more cool looking [[YES]]
- less power usage so endless battery life [[YES]]
- less cramped screen -- [[YES]]
- less "alt" and "shift" -- ultra simple keyboard (like, an @ key;
find that on yours), [[YES]]
- no new accounts -- works with your current email account (even
Yahoo! or Gmail or
whatever with no ports or forwarding settings), [[YES]]
- no salesmen - just grab it at Target [[YES]]
- no contracts (0 years), [[YES]]
- no hidden fees (none) or other nonsense (400 page bill?), [[YES]]
- no Verizon/AT&T/Sprint/T-Mobile to deal with.... [[YES]]
I think these guys might be on to something. Folks want simplicity.
yes "I don't like the cell phone company and the thought of calling them makes me want to puke."
yes "Yes, of course I do e-mail."
3___ "I have a cell phone already and it's on a contract, so maybe I'll consider that new phone you showed me next year some time."
yes "2-year contracts suck. Actually, all contracts suck."
yes "Sure my phone plan *says* it's $70 per month, but it comes out to like $94 after taxes and stuff. And I think that is lame."
yes "I don't want to carry that burrito-sized thing you keep calling a 'smartphone'."
7___ "I want this thing to be working in like 5 minutes flat and no I don't want you to do it for me (but thanks for offering)."
8___ "That sure sounds cool, but I'm not sure I need a telnet client on my phone right now."
9___ "Okay, so you got port forwarding to work on your Airport Express. THAT is why you were late for my birthday dinner?"
10___ "Super thin device, cool looking, endless battery life, big screen, ultra simple keyboard, works with my current email account, buy it at Target, no contracts, no hidden fees or other nonsense, no Verizon/AT&T/Sprint/T-Mobile to deal with, and only $100....I like it"
You could still do some interesting things with an email only device. There are ways to search Google via email, for instance, and even services that you can send a URL and get the webpage back. Someone could combine those two into a niche service for email bound folks. Also, if you set your Google Calendar to send you email reminders for appointments, you'll be able to use this as a reminder system, as well.
neat idea - but only supports image attachments...