@Cordfucious v 2.0.1: Agreed. Who even uses email these days to communicate anyway? Smartphones already service all the business types that still use email.

SinAmos

@Nik17: Not in all places, no.
Like the aforementioned government.

Yes, you can get a BBry without a camera, and that is one option. This is just another - cheaper - option for those who already have a phone they like, but for one reason or another - can't take it everywhere with them.

Hell, since this doesn't have any audio recording capabilities, I'll bet it could go into places a BBry isn't allowed into.

It's basically a tarted up pager, right?

Dunny0, Team T/A

reminds me of RIM's early pagers with keyboards. Not in design, but in function.

tazm0n

@CutePuppyz: I had one of those! The idea was good, but the only problem was that no one else had one and kids don't really get email... Fun games though!

Joolz

Cybico part 3?

CutePuppyz

@Nik17: On the contrary, my mother in law is a social worker for disabled adults in California and the internet/email is banned at her work because they don't want anyone intentionally or accidentally sending out patients personal information/records. The same goes for many other government organizations.

I still think the device won't sell well though. You can setup pop or imap on many phones nowadays, why carry around one more gadget.

antitrust311

I say if you are willing to dish out $100 for just email why not buy a MID/netbook (hopefully the Dell Inspiron 910 if it is good!) for $200 or so more? The whole point is for portable web use and you get more than just email.

Joolz

Needs a web browser too

Razta

@Nik17: Well said.

takashimiike 3G edition

@Dunny0, Team T/A:
don't they make a blackberry without a camera? but if you are at work, then in theory you would have access to a computer no?

Nik17

@Nik17: Because not everyone can have an iPhone (or any other phone with a camera) at work?

Dunny0, Team T/A

Remember the AT&T OGO? eMail/SMS/IM in one device. $15 bucks a month.

Even that had more value than this device.

GotMex?

No thanks, my ipod touch is perfect to do that job. I can almost get WiFi anywhere.

JuanX

Why carry a second device, when you get the same functionality on a device you (most likely) already have, such as a blackberry or an iphone?

Nik17

And the jog wheel's on the wrong side, too. Used to be that way on my Sony Ericsson m600i and it drove me mad.

djtooshay

No Point, No Value, No Thanks

Cordfucious v 2.0.1

It really is pointless, given the market it's trying to sell to.

takashimiike 3G edition

Add SMS and an accordingly cheap unlimited SMS plan and it'd be great for the deaf.

SMSDHubbard

Perhaps it doesn't make sense from a consumer standpoint, but what about from a business one? These little suckers will be a whole lot cheaper for companies to provide to their employees so they can stay connected via e-mail. Sure it's not as useful as a smartphone, but then again it's not as expensive either and like others have said it'll be able to go places our phones now can't due to security.

saeder

As an Amish person (Mennonite, actually), I really want to love the idea of email without a phone. Like, a way to get my parents to do email. But I just can't get over the... IDK... 'Toys R Us' Factor. I mean, if you're gonna get this, why not just get a UMPC or phone? Plus, it'd still be a hard sell to the 'rents.

(Didn't someone try this a couple years ago and fail? Rings a bell.)

frigg

Stooopid one. I mean why put one more thing in my pocket?

Dooosh

It is the BlackBerry - in 1997. Hey, if you can't build a slick interface, I suppose you could get points for not bothering at all, right? While RIM did pretty well with that concept of email only, I think the market has changed slightly in the past ten years.

Monty

Isn't this what old blackberries basically were?

eblingmis

@SMSDHubbard: Its probably me, but I think your comment reads like they're going home with a consolation prize. Awesome!

beefsuperior

Well with all the netbooks hitting the streets, this thing is waaaaayyyy behind the curve. If I can get wi-fi, why not just pull out the 10" lappy with a mobile broadband card or have a lappy with one built in (Yes I am smiling at you Miss Acer One)

Cordfucious v 2.0.1

its made for people who need email all the time and use it like crazy. these are the same people who are smart enough to buy blackberies or iphones. my grandma might think this is a good idea. but she barely uses emails at all.

jewsrock

@saeder: It only makes sense for business use if the device actually supports corporate email, as well as a decent level of security. I guess it is fine for a 4 person company, but anything with a serious IT infrastructure will need more than this.

scoobydoo

This reminds me of the Bittersweet from GTA IV.

gamecrazychris

quick question...given most comments and logic brings me to the point of asking, why?

WD40

It'll flop.

pardyhardy

wake me when it has exchange/activesync support

jcy

I'd buy one... but I'm in canada, and to get a blackberry with data, it is freakin' expensive.

Rodime

Isn't this how RIM started with Blackberry? *Yawn*
You can't sell an email device today that isn't a phone.

People are in search of the gadget that does it all. By now companies should have figured that people don't want to carry their phone/email device/pda/camera/gps around with them everywhere, but rather 1 device that does it all and does it well.

So what if 90% of people don't check their email on the go? What kind of bullshit statistic is that? People don't always want, or always need to be connected to their email. Imagine that every time you got a piece of snail mail a postman would come hunt you down and deliver it as it came. Sounds stupid - sounds like this device.

Not going to work. Sorry!

tkatz

WOOOW can't wait to get one, so all those Spam Emails can catch me where ever I am. YAAAAAYY!

vgart

Epic fail. This thing makes no sense at all.

Everybody who is interested in mobile email already carries a device that provides that functionality and much more. The 90% who don't access email on the go simply don't care about it. Those people are already carrying cell phones, so I hardly think they're going to turn out in droves to buy something else to carry with them, especially when all it does is provide access they don't care about in the first place.

The development money for this thing was wasted.

NotMe

my brother is actually a beta tester for this, and i got to mess around with it a little. It quite sucks. semi-ok idea, nice hardware, flawed execution overall.

Papercutninja

One word: Sidekick.
You can buy a new one for 149, a used one for like 90.
The data plan (with voice) is 20 dollars a month, without its 30.
You could also use prepaid, which is 1$ per day.
I'll hold out judgement until it comes out though.

Mr.Purple

Once upon a time in RadioShack catalogue almost 9 years ago, there was a device. I can't remember what this device is called, sadly, and I have just perused the 1999 catalogue which is available online, to no avail. This device, however, connected to a standard telephone line. And every so often, it would dial it's service provider, and retrieve your email for you. You could then read this email using the device's inbuilt LCD screen, and reply or send email using it's inbuilt keyboard. It would queue your message until the next dialout, and send/receive.

This Peek? It reminds me very much of this device. When I find the name (and I will find the name), I'll post it.

cmantito

This device will only be worthwhile if it has massive hacking potential and decent hardware.

brianhatch

This device isn't intended for us, the kind of people who read tech blogs. This is the kind of thing aimed at the non tech-savvy consumer who's ignorant of the better options (which I don't necessarily mean pejoratively they just don't know better). The kind of people who still use AOL dial up, for example. They'll be browsing through Target one day, stumble upon this thing and be wowed.

Benguin

I dunno, imagine if some enterprising DIY type hacked the shit out of this thing, and gave it stuff like AIM and a web browser. For $15 a month that would be sort of appealing to a lot of folks.

Canadian Impostor

I'm still waiting for unlimited data packages to hit $15 for my phone (AT&T - you reading this?)

Geisrud

From Amol Sarva, Peek's founder and CEO:

You brilliant Gizmodo fans have probably figured out by now that Peek wasn't made for Gizmodo readers (or Engadget readers) like you. Wild and crazy.

It was made for someone else...someone you probably know.

Take this handy quiz. Put a check if you know someone who would agree with these quotes below:

1___ "I don't like the cell phone company and the thought of calling them makes me want to puke."
2___ "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___ "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___ "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/Sprin /T-Mobile to deal with, and only $100....I like it"

If you know someone who would say yes to 5 or more of the above, post your quiz response here and send your mailing address to amol at getpeek dot com. We'll send the first five responses a free Peek with free service.

And while you're waiting to hear if you won you can read our blog at [blog.getpeek.com] or go shopping on Ebay for those amazing retro Blackberries some people seem to love [is.gd] or [www.russellbeattie.com]

Dan Frommer

Add a camera to it and I am sold... wait, make sure is can do video. Oh yea, and IM. Gots to have my IM. Maybe some GPS too? Oh heck, just give me the iPhone.

Husar

This is a smaller windsurfer. I'd buy a refurbished Ipod Touch and do e-mail, listen to music, watch vids, surf the web, play games, chat and get/send email. And for free using wifi hotspot. Plus almost every mobile phone can get e-mail if I wanted it badly enough.

Here is what it would need to sell. Add WIFI and unlock the sim card slot. That way it could be used in anywhere with pay as you go sim cards. Have expandable SD memory(to load additional apps, music, videos etc.). Come in two flavors, a Linux and WinMo 6.1. Plenty of options to cover WinMo if desired, or add something for fingers like Touchflo. Add GPS similar to Ipodtouch. Make a DIY modders dream, low price point, and see them sell more. Also touch screen would be nice.

Mr_Nowitt

> 1___ "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_X_ "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/Sprin /T-Mobile to deal with, and only $100....I like it"

I figure it doesn't hurt to try!

tkatz

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_X_ "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"

... Peek seems like a viable choice for me to use for mobile email. I'm sick of text messaging on a 9 digit keypad!

Dakota Courtois

1___ "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___ "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_X_ "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/Sprin /T-Mobile to deal with, and only $100....I like it"

?

brutek

1___ "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."
4X "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 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 X "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/Sprin /T-Mobile to deal with, and only $100....I like it

tolga

People still email?

videoCWK

Your quiz really resonated with me - which is exactly why I suggested this exact idea LOUDLY when I was working at a major North American cell phone manufacturer. Too bad they ignored it!

1_X_ "I don't like the cell phone company and the thought of calling them makes me want to puke."
2___ "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___ "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_X_ "That sure sounds cool, but I'm not sure I need a telnet client on my phone right now."
9_X_ "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/Sprin /T-Mobile to deal with, and only $100....I like it"

Brian E

1_y_ "I don't like the cell phone company and the thought of calling them makes me want to puke."
2_y_ "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_y_ "2-year contracts suck. Actually, all contracts suck."
5_y_ "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_y_ "I don't want to carry that burrito-sized thing you keep calling a 'smartphone'."
7_y_ "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_y_ "That sure sounds cool, but I'm not sure I need a telnet client on my phone right now."
9_y_ "Okay, so you got port forwarding to work on your Airport Express. THAT is why you were late for my birthday dinner?"
10_y_ "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/Sprin /T-Mobile to deal with, and only $100....I like it"

Could work just fine for me -- take my office email anywhere, like a fine sunny day when I'd rather be somewhere else but have an important message on the way. And if not, leave it behind and just take the little flip phone instead.

wasco

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___ "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/Sprin /T-Mobile to deal with, and only $100....I like it"

i think it's a nice idea. i'm of the school that either likes my gadgets to do one thing great (flip video) or everything pretty good (digi cam). hopefully this is the former...

ajt123

I want to say thank you for going against what everyone else thinks is "conventional". You're absolutely right, the geeks won't think too much of this device, but I can think of a dozen people that would love to have your Peek(r). I mean seriously, what did people think when Apple thought up the iPod device years ago? There were already many music players on the market...but what they did is incredibly simplify the experience...and made it available to the "rest" of the folks...and the rest is history.
Just last night I was talking to a friend who does full time evangelizing work during the day...and has about 400 emails waiting for him every couple of days when he checks his email account. And I thought it would be great to get him an "email only" device that was cheap and had full qwerty. And today I find this device.

I hope this works out for you guys...I just wish the email plan was more like $10.

- Sam De La Garza

samdlg

You brilliant Gizmodo fans have probably figured out by now that Peek wasn't made for Gizmodo readers (or Engadget readers) like you. Wild and crazy. It was made for someone else...someone you probably know. Take this handy quiz. Put a check if you know someone who would agree with these quotes below: 1___ "I don't like the cell phone company and the thought of calling them makes me want to puke." 2___ "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___ "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___ "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" If you know someone who would say yes to 5 or more of the above, post your quiz response here and send your mailing address to amol at getpeek dot com. We'll send the first five responses a free Peek with free service. And while you're waiting to hear if you won you can read our blog at http://blog.getpeek.com or go shopping on Ebay for those amazing retro Blackberries some people seem to love http://is.gd/1MIs or http://www.russellbeattie.com/notebook/1008582.html

FerrisGlaucus

God I used to have the AT&T Ogo. It was an interesting device that was actually a little ahead of its time, I think. Then AT&T merged with Cingular and the device got lost in the fallout. This thing reminds me of the Ogo only worse.

WilletteDeion

Hello Gizmodo gang

You guys have probably figured out by now that Peek wasn't made for your average gadget-happy Gizmodo reader. What a nutty idea!

It was made for someone else...someone you probably know.

Take this handy quiz. Put a check if you know someone who would agree with these quotes below:
1___ "I don't like the cell phone company and the thought of calling them makes me want to puke."
2___ "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___ "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___ "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"

If you know someone who would say yes to 5 or more of the above, post your quiz response here and send your mailing address to amol at getpeek dot com. We'll send the first five responses a free Peek with free service (to people who participate here on Gizmodo)

And while you're waiting to hear if you won you can read our blog at [blog.getpeek.com] or go shopping on Ebay for those amazing retro Blackberries some people seem to love [is.gd] or [www.russellbeattie.com]

amolsarva

I think it'd be a pretty nice minimalist phone. Being that it isn't, it's really lame.

cool_cars

Hi Gizmodo gang,

Thanks to all the handy posts above, you guys have probably figured out by now that Peek wasn't made for the typical gadget-loving Gizmodo reader. We realize this sounds like a crazy plan.

In fact, it was made for someone else...someone you probably know and love.

Take this handy quiz. Put a check if you know someone who would agree with these quotes below:
1___ "I don't like the cell phone company and the thought of calling them makes me want to puke."
2___ "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___ "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___ "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"

If you know someone who would say yes to 5 or more of the above, post your quiz response here and send your mailing address to amol at getpeek dot com. We'll send the first five responses (email me and post here on Gizmodo) a free Peek with free service.

And while you're waiting to hear if you won you can read our blog at [blog.getpeek.com] or go shopping on Ebay for those amazing retro Blackberries some people seem to love [is.gd] or [www.russellbeattie.com]

amolsarva

You guys are idiots, of course this is a great device. $15 dollars a month for all the email I could want! Is there a cheaper way to get email? I think not, especially if you don't want a data plan on your cell phone. This and prepaid wireless is really the best deal around. And God, no way in hell would I use my monitored work internet access to check my email.

truthbuddy

Last time I checked, data plans weren't $15/month for unlimited emails. I could use this device to check my work email when I travel and not have it tied to my personal phone all of the time.

ZaltanaGazelle