Peek Speaks: Simply email. Your personal email anywhere, anytime.

Peeks in action

Update: Some sexy shots of our lovely Peeks!

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Peeks are getting out there. Exciting!

We’re always impressed by the lovely and careful photography people do of our little Peek. It sure is lovely. We’re glad they take care.

(from GeekSugar)

(from Gadling)

(from CNET)

Update: lots more really nice pictures at Chip Chick and Mobile Burn

Posted by amol on Aug 31, 2008 -

41 Comments

Hey, Peek! Keep up the good work!

I’ve been tracking you guys all over the ‘web, and I’m sure as hell impressed at what it can do. I need something like that

Got a question for y’all from over on Gizmodo… when will we find out if we won a Peek from that drawing?

Comment by James — August 31, 2008 @ 8:10 pm
Besides email does it let you surf the web?

Comment by disassemble — September 3, 2008 @ 8:37 am
disassemble -

Initially, Peek will be focused on providing access to email. We’re constantly looking at future features so stay tuned for browser functionality.

- Jeremy
Peek Marketing

Comment by jeremy — September 3, 2008 @ 4:47 pm
Does it have any simple PDA-like features (e.g. Calendar, Notepad, Calculator, etc.)? Or strictly just E-mail?

Comment by James — September 4, 2008 @ 6:40 am
Oh please please please support the corporate environment! ActiveSync, Blackberry Connect…whatever. I have 400+ users that would love something like this.

Comment by Jono — September 4, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
Great idea! Looks like just what I’ve been waiting for. I need access to email on the go, tried a BB Curve but couldn’t get my fat thumbs to handle the keyboard. Yours looks more spacious. And I really like the simplicity of keeping it separate from a phone.

Another future idea: a simple appointments calendar?

Comment by John Nicholls — September 4, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
Boring. Where is the Camera and MMS functions. It seems to me like your taking a step back in time to 1999. This does not make sense for an email only devices, the whole goal is unified messaging which should include office, home, personal in a single device.

Comment by nick stewart — September 6, 2008 @ 11:12 am
Hey there Nick. Sounds like you are in the market for a handy dandy smartphone. Here is one you might like. I hope you will believe me if I tell you we met a leading industry analyst who actually uses this phone and keeps it strapped to his hip. It runs Vista…but I’m sure you can figure out how to get linux on it.

Amol
Peek

Comment by amol — September 6, 2008 @ 12:03 pm
I guess a separate gadget for emails is a great idea but with the same monthly charges I get much more functionality in my blackberry (including Google Maps, Mail, News and lot more).

As someone said earlier, taking it from a email only device to a fully communication device (which will include browser, instant messaging, skype etc) will be just great.

Comment by Kunal — September 7, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
When will you get the colors back in? Grey? It’s not my color. Love the fact that this is a simple device - really practical! Don’t gum it up with more features, please.

Comment by Marsha Keeffer — September 11, 2008 @ 12:22 am
Seems like your targeted demographic would (and should) be the elderly!

Us 30 and 40- somethings like our BlackBerry’s and Iphones which allow us access to essentially unlimited POP & corporate email accounts, web browsing, contact managers, phone, SMS and MMS messaging, music, etc… Your Peek smacks reminiscent of the old PageNet pagers and it seems you are backing up technologically!

Anyway, I did have a point: Taking confusing technology and oversimplifying it is a common marketing practice for targeting the elderly AND, if that was your intention, you should have made the device larger with a much bigger keypad.

Comment by Eric — September 11, 2008 @ 10:06 am
This device would be great for kids and really great for senior citizens. My grandma is 91 and she is getting one so she can email me. She does not like talking on the phone (bad cough issues) so this is perfect for her. I was just about to buy her a notebook computer which I would need to configure for “web based email only” because she would never use the other features. But now, I can get this instead and it has much better battery life and is easy for her to carry around the house.

Comment by Mike — September 11, 2008 @ 10:07 am
I like this idea too, and would LOVE to have 24/7 access to my (free) email, but at $20 a month, it’s a bit of a damper.

Comment by ZG — September 11, 2008 @ 10:13 am
I wonder, how Peek works with Yahoo Mail? Do I have to pay (extra) for their POP3/IMAP access feature?

Comment by Alexio — September 11, 2008 @ 10:26 am
Can this do MS Exchange support? Does it do direct push?

Comment by steve — September 11, 2008 @ 11:19 am
Are you planning on allowing 3rd party apps for your device?
I can think of a twitter app that I would love to see on a device.
And for all the people that see this as a step backwards…

I use a cheap phone service with a no frills phone and would love a device that just does a few things that I can use out side of a cell phone…

Wish I had this when I was doing IT 24/7… Always near a phone, but never a , lol, working PC…

(oh and Crack berry’s are to expensive for the self employed / small biz model)

Keep on Peek’n… (would love to see a SIP Phone / VOIP/ and IM (AOL) on such a small device…

Check out the Gizmo5 project….

Comment by Gavin — September 11, 2008 @ 11:48 am
For those of you missing the point…this device is designed for SIMPLICITY. Pure and simple. If you need a device geared towards world dominance or reeking of convergence go elsewhere. I am buying this for my father in law. It is an AWESOME way to give someone email without burying them in complexity and useless clunky features that only seem to create more questions than they are worth.

Comment by Simplicity — September 11, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
Love the idea and simplicity. Hate the ask for anything “impure”, but some thigns are naturals, like..

1) Texting via PC chat clients like Yahoo, Skype, etc?

2) An interface to upload & email some photos from a separate camera? SD card slot?

Comment by Bill — September 11, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
I’d be interested in this gadget but does it only show text base emails or does it load full html style emails?

Comment by Christian — September 11, 2008 @ 2:29 pm
My Mom HATES computers and will not have one but She might be ok with this, maybe. Does it handle pictures? That might do it for her.

Comment by b — September 11, 2008 @ 2:29 pm
can I send e mail using a personal address that is accessed through yahoo.
IE a yahoo personal e mail address

Comment by Kent — September 11, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
Well, from my view this solves a nagging issue that impacts me every day. I do *not* want to adopt a large smartphone, and am completely satisfied with my current cell phone. However, I do need mobile access to email. Email… only email. If I want to surf the web I’ll do it at my PC, not on some itsy bitsy screen.

Good job, Peek. You spotted and are serving a real, previously unserved niche and you should do well if your expectations are realistic.

Comment by Jack Campbell — September 11, 2008 @ 4:51 pm
Well… I just checked my email address — a standard POP account on one of my servers — for Peek compatibility. Your system says “Nope.” My email is jack@aboutjack.com . Now I am disappointed.

Comment by Jack Campbell — September 11, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
Once upon a time I had an OGO from AT&T Wireless (blue)…

It may not have been for everyone, but for me it was great. I was able to automatically monitor my e-mail on the road. If there was an e-mail with an attachment that I couldn’t open, no problem, at least I knew it was waiting for me in my inbox. I could always dash off a quick e-mail to the sender to let them know I knew about the e-mail and would open it as soon as I was back at the office or at home. I really didn’t use the instant messaging or texting functions.

But in its infinite wisdom, after Cingular (orange) bought AT&T Wireless, they stopped selling the OGO and abused its customers so badly with service disruptions and uncertainty about the continuity of service that it wasn’t worth the monthly service fee.

The Peek is about the same price point as the OGO for purchase and service.

Nobody has even mentioned that this device will be so useful for the hearing impaired without the needless expense of a voice plan.

Best wishes for success in offering a new mobile device which replaces a discontinued device which should have stayed on the market.

Comment by Jim — September 11, 2008 @ 7:15 pm
sounds great, however, I am a frequent traveler overseas and must be able to connect from there, too. When does Peek expect to provide (via T-Mobile?) accessibility in foreign countries, especially Europe and Australia?

Comment by Hans — September 12, 2008 @ 11:10 am
This is neat, but if you could ever come up with a way to do it for a flat fee (even a large one) instead of a monthly fee, it would be incredible!

Comment by Jacob — September 12, 2008 @ 11:28 am
Dear Peekers,

I definitely dig this new device and I am debating whether to buy one at my local Target this coming Monday morning September 15th on my way to work or during my lunch break. I read the NYTimes David Pogue article and found it intriguing. I am actually a Techie. I run a multi-media lab at a college here in NY, own multiple laptop and desktop computers, and have gadgets galore, but if the Peek can really handle multiple email accounts without too much trouble then I will buy one.

Question (1) According to the NYTimes Pogue article there is currently no support for italics and bold–is that true and if so could this be changed with a firmware update? I don’t need fancy graphics–or even the ability to display Jpegs (although that is a nice bonus) but we academic types engage in lots of text editing for reports, manuals, essays, fiction and even poetry via email. Could an outgoing email sent from the Peek display bold or italicized text with some HTML type code (like I could really use italics in my emails!)?

Question (2) Although I am only 32 I never use the default text size for any application so being able to adjust the unit’s font display size would be a real deal-maker or breaker. (If there is a firmware fix just think of the increase in market share for the Peek among older users or folks who played too many video games while growing up now suffer premature macular degeneration.) Will there be a firmware update for this around the corner?

Question (3) Will there ever be the ability to switch the mobile carrier other than the one that you guys are currently in cahoots with? Will this device work in Canada or Mexico as well? Thanks.

Comment by Maqroll Gavierio — September 12, 2008 @ 10:43 pm
How much is the monthly fee ?

Comment by Andre Jamar — September 13, 2008 @ 5:46 am
I can’t believe it took so long for someone to realize that not everyone in the universe can afford a $70 a month data plan when they just want mobile e-mail connectivity! I totally agree with the non bells and whistles approach. We are being gadgeted to death.

I don’t WANT a “cool” interface, I don’t WANT an itty bitty web surfer, I don’t WANT 400 minutes of phone talk time that I will never use, I don’t WANT a phone that plays MP3s… I have a pay-as-you-go phone plan I am completely happy with and now I don’t have to get rid of it. I don’t think I should have to pay $40 a month (with a contract!) to check and send my email from the road.

I plan to use it to check my work email (Microsoft Exchange, which is not supported, but which I can easily pipe through a Gmail account). There is a ton of stuff you can do via e-mail alone, such as RSS-to-email, email-to-blog posting, SMS to email and so on.

Comment by Donna — September 13, 2008 @ 12:21 pm
To Eric: I am 40 years old, I guess that’s “elderly”… but guess what, I happen to be POOR and be under pressure to be email connected for work… this is a fantastic solution for me. At least I will not be charging my ridiculous iPhone monthly bill to a credit card that I am unable to pay off!!! How many iPhone users can really genuinely afford what they are paying for monthly fees for what is essentially a flashy toy for many users.

I wonder how many of those 30 and 40 somethings can REALLY afford those bills every month. They talk of “technological integration” but are blind to the REALITY of people struggling to get by in this country. Most of the bells and whistles on devices like the iPhone are flashy but useless to the majority of working Americans, moms and people struggling to get by. Email, however, is vital.

The proof will be in the pudding of whether this is a well made device with good service and support. This device and pricing structure has the possibility to empower a lot of people.

Comment by Donna — September 13, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
Christian - HTML code is stripped from the e-mail

b - The Peek can display .jpg image attachments

Jack Campbell - The system does not include all possibilities; there are many more domains which work perfectly but are not listed there. To verify either way your best bet would be to give a shout to Customer Care at 877-677-PEEK.

Comment by J — September 14, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
Andre -

The monthly fee is $19.95 for unlimited email.

- Jeremy
Peek Marketing

Comment by jeremy — September 14, 2008 @ 6:31 pm
Can this device be used while I am in Japan and Canada?

Comment by michael — September 15, 2008 @ 9:44 am
I work at a college and would love to use this device to stay in touch but when i type in my college e-mail it says it does not support this.
Is there any way to get it to work?

Comment by michael — September 15, 2008 @ 9:47 am
Just bought a Peek today, put it through its paces, and I’m going to love it. I can tell already.

Please consider adding some type of instant messaging. That addition alone would make it a near-perfect text-based device.

Comment by Michael — September 15, 2008 @ 10:58 am
What happens if I don’t like it?
Is there a guarantee?

Also, can’t find it on Target’s web-site.

Comment by Barbara — September 15, 2008 @ 12:27 pm
Roaming is a feature that’s coming soon — will include Canada but Japan doesn’t have any GSM networks…. - Amol from Peek

Comment by amol — September 15, 2008 @ 3:47 pm
Colleges — we support POP and IMAP accounts. So if you normally check your email from home using Outlook Express or Thunderbird or Eudora or something like that…you are probably good. If you have to use a secure-password-protected-Outlook-webmail thing, then we don’t support that yet (unless your IT guy says, “why yes, we do have POP access!”) — Amol from Peek

Comment by amol — September 15, 2008 @ 3:48 pm
I need more space that 8 megs. I am an academic researcher and people send me pdfs and large graphics to examine all the time. Otherwise, it looks like a great and useful device. How about a card slot for 8 gigs of additional storage?

Comment by Jum Mulick — September 15, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
Will you actually expect people who want to add these to an existing T-Mobile Family Plan to pay $20/mo as well? Maybe $10/mo, but $20/mo for this device seems a bit steep for someone who already has T-Mobile service and just wants to add this device to their plan.

Also, doesn’t $20/mo seem a bit steep? This device most closely resembles the Kindle in it’s NOT-A-Phone EDGE-device nature. The Kindle charges for usage, but even at extreme usage, it wouldn’t get anywhere near $20/mo. $20/mo is more than I pay for internet at home AND on my mobile phone. $15/mo seems like a much more consumer-friendly pricing point. My dad (the most probable user profile- hates computers but loves email) was shocked at the $20/mo for ONLY email price. (Maybe if it could browse the web and look up driving directions…)

Also, do you assign the SIM Card a phone number? What does it do when a call comes in? I don’t want telephone functionality, but SMS might be nice in order to communicate with those SMS-only types we all know, or to allow SMS-only types to communicate with a user of the device (potentially my dad).

Lastly, Roaming. Will this roam onto 850MHz networks? Will it roam internationally? My Blackberry gets unlimited international data for an extra $20/mo. That’s probably saved me hundreds, even though I only travel outside the country (incl. Canada) for about two weeks a year. T-Mo lets me turn it on when I leave and off when I return. It’s made me the communicator on more than one international trip. I can email ahead to Hostels as I ride the train and make reservations for NOTHING, instead of the usual $1-$2 a minute. Their pricing on the Blackberry is the one reason I’ve never left T-Mobile.

Comment by Thomas Shanks — September 15, 2008 @ 11:33 pm
I would like to know if You sell Peek phones in Italy or if I can get one in the U.S., China or South Korea and use it in Italy . Thanking You in advance . Sincerely .
Daniela Boldi

Comment by Daniela Boldi — September 16, 2008 @ 9:36 am