Peek certainly set the mobile phone market a stir when they released their first handset.  It was a ‘text’ only device. In other words you could receive and send emails but you couldn’t make a phone call.  It was affordable and perhaps practical for those who didn’t have a smartphone device.

Today, the company released the latest iteration of the device, the Peek 9.  While it’s difficult to tell if there are any physical updates to the hardware from the last launch, there a new set of features that might attract small business owners or better yet parents that wanna keep tabs on their kids all at a more minimal cost than today’s smartphone plans.

The previous Peeks included unlimited email, support for MS Exchange/Outlook and SMS (text messages) to any mobile device.  Now the company says they’ve improved the cell phone reception, added Facebook and other social networking apps and the ability to craft your own apps, something they’re calling Peektop Apps.

Peektops Apps are designed to be managed in the cloud and are for those businesses that need to “build and deploy custom device interfaces that make ordering, surveying, or reporting dead-simple.”

Another biggy is the addition PeekMaps, which lets you view your location as well as track fellow Peek users (employees or kids) in realtime on Google Maps.  We’re hearing that the device doesn’t include GPS, so we’re not quite sure how “realtime” is accomplished.

Despite the new hardware, the pricing appears to have remained the same.  $70 for the handset and $20 a month for the service.  If you buy into more months you slowly lower your monthly cost.

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Amazon has the Peek Pronto Mobile Messaging Device for $79.99 – $40 instant savings + free shipping = $29.99 shipped! This device, which we reviewed a few month ago, offers unlimited emails and text messaging for one monthly low fee.

There’s nothing like following a trend and sinking a bunch of R&D to what turns out to be a fad.  Yup, I’m referring to Twitter and today Peek, the folks behind the email dedicated device has drank their helping of the kool aid and released the TwitterPeek, an always connected Twitter device.  Email appears to be devoid in this version, as does the higher price tag as the TwitterPeek costs just $99.95, includes 6 months of service and costs just $7.95/month there after, which is about half the price of Peek’s original offerings.

I’m kidding about the R&D money since this was probably a question of porting some software over.  And although this move seems like a must do, my gut still says it’s a bit too early for a dedicated Twitter device.

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Wow, Peek just delivered a serious bitch slap to Microsoft/Danger!  They’re now offering disgruntled Sidekick users a FREE Peek Pronto device, that is assuming of course you can prove such.  Peek just asks that you “email sidekick@getpeek.com with proof that you own a Sidekick (photo of you and your Sidekick, a T-mo bill, or any form of hard evidence you can dream up).”   Make sure you provide them with your physical mailing address so they can send you the device.  This offer ends this Friday, the 16th, and keep in mind that you’ll still need to drop $20/month on service and the Pronto doesn’t make phone calls.

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Much like Tivo, Peek has gone the route of lifetime service.  Exclusively available at Amazon, you can now purchase the latest Peek, the Pronto, for $299.95 with lifetime service.  Assuming that the company is around longer than 16 months from your date of purchase, you should be in the clear.

We reviewed the Peek Pronto, and for the most part like what we found.

Note: Since there is a 2 to 5 week ship window, we can only assume that this promo is going off like gang busters.

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Either things are humming along smoothly over at the Peek offices or they just can’t move enough of their email only handsets.  In either case, the company has once again slashed pricing on their devices.  The original, classic Peek can now be purchased for $19.95, down from $49.95, while the more advanced Peek Pronto, which brings Exchange support, more email accounts, etc can now be had for $59.95, $20 less than its original price.

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UPDATE: DUE TO THE LACK OF TWITTER ACTIVITY (WHO KNOWS WHY), I’M OPENING UP THE CONTEST TO COMMENTS AS WELL.  JUST FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW ON HOW TO RESPOND AND PLEASE NOTE THE CONTEST ONLY APPLIES TO U.S. RESIDENTS.

Follow the below instructions and you could win a Peek Pronto (review here) and 1 month of free service, which includes unlimited access to email and text messaging.

Late last week I received the Peek Pronto, Peeks newest and latest. This model boasts improvements over the first iteration of the device which includes an all around faster machine (50% faster), support for up to 5 email account (3 more), support for Push Email and Microsoft Exchange, unlimited text messaging and the ability to search your inbox as well as view images, PDFs and Doc files.

Right out of the box I noticed how simple and elegant the Peek Pronto was. Finished in all black with a silver metal back it could be easily mistaken for a Blackberry. Front and center is a rubberized chicklet QWERTY keyboard, while the right edge of the device sports a clickable scroll wheel and back button just below it. The power button is located at the top of the device and is recessed to prevent unwarranted powering ups or downs. Lastly, the lower left side contains a charging port concealed by a rubber flap that is attached to the device.

Setting up an AOL, GMAIL or Yahoo account couldn’t have been easier. All I had to do was enter my email address and password and the Peek Pronto figured out the rest. After your email box has been added you can start emailing right away or if you so opt download your stored contacts; the Pronto doesn’t have Bluetooth so you won’t be able to sync your computer’s address book. Unfortunately, and probably like many people, I don’t keep my contact list updated on my gmail account so I’m not sure how useful this feature is, but of note the Pronto ‘sucked down’ the few hundred contacts I had stored in a matter of seconds and even sent me an email notifying that the process had begun. Adding another email account was simple enough, but once added I wasn’t able to view the account individually or tell which email was to which account from the inbox screen. A frustration some will surely feel, especially those who like to keep business and private separate. Fortunately, when sending out an email, selecting the alternate account(s) is just a quick click away.

I’m an iPhone user (in case you haven’t heard) and as a result typing on the chicklet rubber keyboard left my right hand a bit cramped. But as with any miniature QWERTY keyboard, iPhone included, it takes time to adjust, so be patient. The overall responsiveness of the keyboard is reasonable given its style, but I couldn’t help but notice how the space bar felt as though I was depressing two keys at once. Again, something that probably takes some acclamation. Additionally, the space bar, as with the secondary functions of the numeric keyboard are not backlit, which limits the overall usefullness of the device in dark or dimly lit situations.

Composing an actual email was simple enough, but a few drawbacks had me scratching my head. For instance, Peek failed to add the double space bar tap period function and in order to navigate to, say the middle of the paragraph after an email is written you’ll need to use the scroll wheel while holding the shift button. With that said, the Peek Pronto seemed to be void of a spell check, which to me seems like a must especially if this particular device is intended for the business user.

Email composing issues aside, the Peek Pronto’s screen is bright and easy to read in any lighting condition. It’s backlight length can be adjusted as can the the theme of the overall menus, which are limited to 3 relatively simple colorful patterns. Although the screen is bright and crisp, the device itself can’t display HTML emails and will result in a blank page with no description as to why; you might be left wondering if there is an error in the email or if its encoded with HTML.

I’m not sure what protocol Peek has used for automatically setting up email accounts such as Yahoo or Gmail, but expect to read emails twice or keep tracks of what you’ve viewed on your computer as the two don’t sync up. The Peek Pronto is compatible with Microsoft Exchange, so for those using this on the corporate level won’t have this concern.

Battery life for the device is very solid. Depending on use, I’d expect to get at least, and I stress at least 3 days out of the device. This is probably one of the significant advantages of having a stand alone email device over an all in one, which tend to be battery hogs.

Like all good handheld devices the Peek Pronto features a keypad lock button, but I would have preferred if the dedicated back button also performed this feature when held down. Also, the Pronto lacks a dedicated switch for muting the device, which is something any respectful person could take advantage of.

This particular Peek Pronto contained an early build of the software and as a result I wasn’t able to text message and the scroll wheel was God awful slow, things that should be fixed in the final build. But unlike the multiple email accounts, text messages are denoted by a ‘T’ next to the message. The company does promise unlimited text messaging, which for some might make the $20/month service plan with email well worth it.

At just $30 more ($79.95) than the original Peek, the Pronto brings sexy back to the email only device and is worth every penny.

Pros:

• Sleek and sexy
• Solid battery life
• Bright and crisp screen
• Ultra easy to use and setup (i.e. Mom friendly)

Cons:

• Chicklet style keyboard will take some getting use to
• No dedicated mute/vibrate button
• Only one ‘inbox’ for all emails

You can grab one here for $80

In the last 4 months Peek ran about 3 or 4 different promotions to help move their email only device supported by the T-Mobile’s network.  And now we know why: today they announced the Peek Pronto.  It’s an updated version of the original Peek and like its name sake suggests its speedier to the gate in a handful (pun intended) of ways.   Here’s how:

• 50% improvement in speed
• works with Microsoft Exchange
• works with up to 5 accounts (original Peek worked with just 2)
• unlimited email and texting
• push email
• ability to search the for emails
• view PDF, DOCs and Pics

Unlike the original Peek, the Pronto is only available in one color (gray) and will cost slightly more at $80 a pop – service is still $20/month, though.  Right now you can get grab one exclusively from Amazon, or wait until April when the email/text device will go on sale on their website or Radio Shack.

[Peek]

The Peek, which we’ve featured a few times now, is once again on sale.  This time they’re honoring our 44th President with an ‘inauguration special’.  So, for the next 44 hours the Peek is $44.44 + $20/month or free + $20/month if you live at a 1600 address any where in the World.

Get it here

Remember the Peek, the device that is purely dedicated to email and text messaging?  They’re hitting the headlines again and this time they’re offering their device and lifetime service (it’s usually $20/month) for $300.  The deals good for today only, and if you ask me, this makes them look desperate.  And by desperate I mean ‘going out of business’.  Your gamble, but I’d just go ‘berry or iPhone.

Still interested?  Go here

Perhaps you miss the days of Blackberry handsets that were email only?  Or maybe you just want an email device so you can stay in the know during business school exams and other sorted affairs that are sure to transpire during moments of vacationing?  If so, then do I have a deal for you.  Peek is offering their handheld email only device for $50, today only!  You’ll still have to drop $20 a month but that’s 50% off the regular retail price. Go ahead, you deserve it.

Available here

By: Daniel O

Peek made it’s email-only handset available for pre-order today. It should be arriving with a $100 price tag at Target on Monday with a choice of three colors. Its functionality is key to it’s design. So for those of you who are considering buying a smartphone, but are worried about the small keypad then you might want to consider purchasing the Peek, which features a spacious QWERTY keyboard. Unfortunately, it comes with a $20 a monthly fee, which may be a bit steep for some.