5 stars

I've been using this device for a few weeks now, and I must say, its pretty handy. Yes I have a phone, but any phone that easy to talk on and relatively small is not a good e-mail device. This device is great for checking your e-mail, and sending text e-mails. It doesn't replace my PC for reading long e-mails, but that is O.K. At least I know when I have to boot my PC to receive a large e-mail.

The Peek will display embedded pictures but not other attachments. It also can only display text messages, and HTML messages are displayed as text messages. I wish it could send SMS messages also, but you can do that indirectly by sending to the e-mail the phone operator sets up, but you can't receive SMS messages.

The screen is bright and colorful, but the font is a bit small for older eyes. The scroll wheel works just like on the older Blackberrys.

Overall, if you want e-mail access, and don't want the expense of a Blackberry, this is a pretty good option. It won't replace a PC, but it is a great companion to PC e-mail.

5 stars

trust me. i play video games, paralell networking, etc. this thing is perfect for ANYONE. I primaraly purchased it for selling items. It just really annoys me when im trying to purchase something say on, [...]. I email the person, and then 2-3 hours, even days later, they respond. I myself sell stuff online alot. I want to satisfy my customers as much as possible. so they can contact me anywhere, anytime. no delays, its great. this thing is flawless. also, if someone has a phone that theyve bought withen about the last year, you can "text" message to them. just have them email you, i mean most newer phones can email. my friends prepaid [...] mobile phone can email! so you have your friend email you, and when they do youll see theyre email from there phone, and just add them into your contacts! its so easy! very simple, which is a good thing. theyre testing a new version. Its THE perfect gift. they arent going to not like it. almost everyone is into email. awesome stoccking stuffer. and also its just the right price. not to expensive. I LOVE THE PEEK!

1 stars

As many other people I obsessed over missing an email that may be important. Unlike others, however, I do not travel that extensively and most of the time I am in front of a computer. Therefore, in order to keep plugged, I don't need a full-fledged mini-computer when I am on the road (read Blackberry/iPhone), but only something that will tell me if I am missing anything important. I thus wanted to give a try to the Peek.

The Peek only has email capabilities and for that I like it. There is nothing to distract you like a camera or a web browser. When you are on the road, you can look at the "new email" led ... if it blinks then you have new email, if it does not, there you have nothing to worry about. The simplicity of this device is a virtue. Unfortunately, as I detail below, the Peek is plagued by software bugs and plastered with marketing cover-ups.

1. The peek lost its signal; this is quite normal and it happens to my cell phone too in certain areas. However, when back in an area with strong signal, the Peek did not find the signal anymore. I asked the Peek to send/receive, and it froze. Nothing was able to stop the freezing, not even the on/off button. The only thing I was able to do was to remove the battery -- then the Peek was ok after I put the battery back. Even on the WORST cell phones, the on/off button did not fail; yet, on the Peek it did. Very sloppy programming.

2. The Peek touts that it's possible to have up to five email accounts. This "functionality" seems like a marketing trick ... most traditional email providers offer forwarding ... thus having FIVE accounts on the Peek does not mean much, other than something clever to say marketing-wise.

3. I nevertheless decided to check this "functionality". I added a yahoo account to it. I sent myself an email ... read it ... then, surprise! the new email led NEVER turned off afterward. It continued to blink although I had no new emails. In fact the only thing that stops the blinking is turning the Peek off after reading email then turning it back on. Another example of great software!

4. I wanted to set the time -- the Peek did not find the time immediately like any cell phone does. The Peek has two settings ... Manual and Network. The Network setting simply does not do anything ... or at least the time it keeps is completely inaccurate. The Manual setting does not do much either ... the only thing I noticed is that when I am switching from Manual to Network, the hour is moving forward by 1 hour. That is how I set my clock. Again, another example of great software!!

5. Peek says push email is offered, and email arrive instantaneously. Everyone in front of a computer will see this is not true - there is a delay of 1-2 minutes (I tried various things; minimum delay was 1 min 9 seconds, maximum delay was 4 min 48 seconds). You cannot say "push email" but deliver only every now and then.

6. Peek says the Pronto has pdf support. However, all I was able to read were not pdf files, but files one would get if text would be selected in a pdf file and pasted in Notepad. No figures, etc., no pdf functionality. Bait and switch all over again. I have not tried .doc files. Images work.

7. Even worse, despite clearly the Peek not working, you will still have to pay for one month worth of subscription. Thus, you may end up paying one moths regular subscription for absolutely nothing. Let me say it again: you pay for something that does not work.

In conclusion, this is a gadget that is based on a great idea: a tool offering email only. I would welcome a thing like that. I feel sorry that it does not work, for no other device out there offers ONLY email. The hardware seems sturdy and feels good to hold in hand; I cannot speak of the insides of the Peek though. Unfortunately, the realization of this idea is way subpar. The email retrieval is SLOW -- this is NOT push email the way I understand it. The software seems overly buggy and problematic. You never get your subscription fees back entirely, which seems shady for a start-up. Therefore, this being a simple device, all these deficiencies spell over-marketing, not to call it a bait and switch strategy.

UPDATE: I returned it, canceled my account as well. Meanwhile the Peek help desk answered some of my questions ... e.g. why would the new email led not stop blinking. The cure is to not select the battery saver mode. This is NOT a software which is working, but at best a beta release. Seems impossible to get the entire amount of fees back even though the Peek did not work.

5 stars

I'll admit it: I helped make Peek so I couldn't be prouder. I went to the Target store near us in New York the weekend after the New York Times review came out. The review was awesome but the guys at the store were even more psyched -- the Peek was sold out! It's really been a hit and people are loving it. Here are some key points that are missing in the description above:

* Large, color screen makes it easy to read emails
* Full keyboard so you can quickly type your emails
* Slim, fits in the palm of your hand
* Scroll navigation system is easy to learn and use
* Access up to three email accounts on your Peek
* Nationwide coverage, use your Peek throughout the U.S.
* Compatible with most major email providers
* Hassle-free – No contracts, no credit checks, no activation fees – ever!
* Unlimited email for a flat monthly rate of 19.95 (seriously - exactly 19.95. No surprise fees...)

5 stars

I was hesitant when I purchased my Peek. I kept the receipt and the packaging. I was very surprised at how easy it was to setup. I had emails to my device 5 minutes after turning it on. Simply enter your e-mail address, your password and it starts receiving emails. Battery life is fantastic. I charge my peek ever 3-4 days. I would definately purchase this again.

5 stars

Thin, stylish, hip, cool looking in grey, aqua, cherry colors with a brushed metal back. Well designed and constructed mobile device. Fits easily in your pocket, purse, or bag. Send and receive email anywhere you go.

As reported here, early versions of the peek software were buggy. This has been fixed and many extra features added. You can get the software on your peek updated in two ways. Send it in to peek and they will update it to the latest software which gives it the functionality of the new pronto version for free or purchase a special cable from peek and download and install the update yourself. Full details are on the peek Website under discussions.

I like to carry and small, tiny flip phone on a national prepaid carrier that offers unlimited calling for a low price. Tiny, cool phones do not do email so that is why I carry the peek. The peek is simple, easy, fun, and just does email really well ( once you update the software ). It is fantastic at what it does. I purchased two at this great price so I have an extra in case something happens to my original. I signed up for the yearly plan which brings the monthly charge way down.

Once you update the software on your peek you will get:

True push ( instant email )
Unlimited texting support ( saves you major $$ over cell phone companies )
Search on device
Support for up to 5 email accounts
Attachment support for PDF, DOC, PDF files

This device can save you major dollars per year. Check what your cell phone company charges for unlimited email and texting. If you have this on your cell phone plan, get rid of it and buy a peek.

I highly recommend this device.

3 stars

This is a great device for people who do not want the expense of a BlackBerry. However, you still must pay for a monthly service, and you do not get the features that make a BlackBerry worthwhile, like a phone!

I can see the use of this for seniors who want to check e-mail or for a young child to use to be hip, but you are better off adding a line to your plan for $9.99 and buying a cheap smartphone. You will get more features and the ability to make phone calls.

5 stars

I've had my Peek for about 10 days now and I love it. It's extremely easy to use, it looks great, and it's a fraction of the cost of all those so-called "smartphones".

5 stars

I have been using my Peek for a while now.. and I am a fan! I had a Blackberry Pearl before, but now I would never go back since there's nothing more annoying than T9.. the full qwerty keyboard is just right. Simple is good. I like the fact that it is so intuitive and even when I had a question and called Peek's customer care, I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn't hung up on, ignored or transfered endlessly like every other time I had to call customer care. And the best part is that there's no contract and it's cheaper.. which is key for someone who's budget-conscious like me :)