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ZTE Peel 3G Case for iPod Touch to Launch on Sprint November 14th?

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Boy Genius Report notes that it has received a tip claiming that Sprint is set to launch the ZTE Peel on November 14th. The Peel is a 3G hotspot device designed as a wraparound case for the iPod touch, providing mobile data access for the device that is typically limited to Wi-Fi-only connections.

According to the report, service for the Peel will be priced at $29.99 per month for 1 GB of data on a no-contract plan, but the price of the Peel itself remains unknown.
We don't have any details on how much the actual device will sell for, but we do know Sprint plans on charging $29.99 per month for 1GB of data usage with no contract.
Click to expand...
According to the Peel's user manual that leaked from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission earlier this year, the case would be able to function as a traditional mobile hotspot, providing cellular data access for up to five nearby Wi-Fi devices.

Article Link: ZTE Peel 3G Case for iPod Touch to Launch on Sprint November 14th?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2010/11/05/zte-peel-3g-case-for-ipod-touch-to-launch-on-sprint-november-14th/
Curious to see how this plays out. Personally I can't see a use to the thing, but I don't see use for a lot of stuff.

Also wonder how Apple responds, have they ever made a statement about this? I feel like they could be not too happy..... but what do I know, eh?

EDIT: Plus, doesn't the iPad get 2GB for $25? You'd think Sprint would at least try to compete. Sure the iPad doesn't turn into a hot spot, but if your making a hot spot for up to 5 devices you would think you would get more data than you would for a single device... at least that's how I picture competition
 
Why didn't they go with 4G? That would have made this stand out from the competition.
 
Why does it need to be a case? Does it interface with an app that shows you bandwidth usage? Or does it use the iPod Touch for power? :confused:

Or is it just a bulky case that eliminates the need for carrying around two separate devices? (The iPod and the hotspot.)
 
thetaylor13 said:
Curious to see how this plays out. Personally I can't see a use to the thing, but I don't see use for a lot of stuff.

Also wonder how Apple responds, have they ever made a statement about this? I feel like they could be not too happy..... but what do I know, eh?

EDIT: Plus, doesn't the iPad get 2GB for $25? You'd think Sprint would at least try to compete. Sure the iPad doesn't turn into a hot spot, but if your making a hot spot for up to 5 devices you would think you would get more data than you would for a single device... at least that's how I picture competition
Click to expand...

To me, not even $15/month for 1GB on Sprint would lure me to get this thing.
I don't like Sprint, their customer service is terrible; I speak from personal experience and from other people I know who at some point had Sprint.
 
Sprint can you hear me now your on the right track with this but it needs a minimum of 3 gb for that $29.99 this would allow good use of the iPod touch on the go. I see ipod touch flying out the door if this thing works.
 
DaBrain said:
Sounds nice, BUT 30 bucks month for just one gigabyte? No thanks:)
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$30 Sprint Data + $3 Skype Voice

Better than:

$30 AT&T Data + $40 AT&T Voice


Sure, you get more data with AT&T, but you get more voice minutes with Skype. I say it's a good deal, considering how much cheaper it is. What's an extra GB cost on Sprint? Is it less than $37? If so, you're doing fine.

Littleodie914 said:
Why does it need to be a case?
Click to expand...

My guess: This allows the Sprint Device's wifi transmitter to be a very low-powered thing. Probably saves battery life to have to make a 1 inch wifi network compared to a 15 foot one.
 
Amazing Iceman said:
To me, not even $15/month for 1GB on Sprint would lure me to get this thing.
I don't like Sprint, their customer service is terrible; I speak from personal experience and from other people I know who at some point had Sprint.
Click to expand...

Eh. I work for a government telecommunications system. All day every day I'm simply calling carriers to troubleshot phones, swap device, update data plans and so on.

I can say Verizon and Sprint are the top two carriers I prefer to call. Maybe you've had some negative experience, but coming from someone who literally calls Sprint 10+ times a day, I disagree.

I only run into issues when I call T-Mobile and AT&T, and again, I make probably close to 500-600 calls a week to various carriers. I like to think I have a good feel of their tech support/customer support reps.
 
Who wants a case that will block the back camera. You could use this for facetime but you would have to take it off to use the back camera.
 
good option for some

For those who don't have a smart phone, its like having an iPhone without the phone part, not too bad. The $30 / month is about what we pay for our data plans.
 
Previous generation iPod Touch perhaps...

garysturn said:
Who wants a case that will block the back camera. You could use this for facetime but you would have to take it off to use the back camera.
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Since the camera is very recent, this was probably designed against the previous generation design.

I like the concept, i wonder if it can charge the iPod and itself at the same time?
 
You guys are missing the point of this.

With this people with iPods literally can make phone calls anywhere now instead of at home.

It will let you use skype while out in the park or on the train to make calls now.

With google voice you can make calls and texts anywhere as well.
 
Actually we seem to get it just fine. If you want to make phone calls/Skype calls out in the park, you should have bought an iPhone or 3G iPad to begin with :p

The concept of buying an iPod Touch, 3G hotspot device and data plan to create some sort of FrankenstiPhone is ridiculous to me. Buy a goddamn phone.

This reminds me of a Penny Arcade strip/post from a while back.

http://www.penny-arcade.com/2009/12/4/
 
Wang Foolio said:
Actually we seem to get it just fine. If you want to make phone calls/Skype calls out in the park, you should have bought an iPhone or 3G iPad to begin with :p

The concept of buying an iPod Touch, 3G hotspot device and data plan to create some sort of FrankenstiPhone is ridiculous to me. Buy a goddamn phone.

This reminds me of a Penny Arcade strip/post from a while back.

http://www.penny-arcade.com/2009/12/4/
Click to expand...

I understand that, thats why I have an iphone4. But many don't. Many got an iPod touch as a present and are still using their old nokia. This would create a workable 'FrankenstiPhone' device.

Also some of those can't get phone service maybe due to bad credit or no credit, teannagers etc.. And not everyone wants to buy into MetroPCS and their garbage.
This would be a viable solution for them.

I've held the this thing, didn't try it out had no iPod to test with. But it's a clever design. And I can bet they will sell pretty well.
 
garysturn said:
Who wants a case that will block the back camera. You could use this for facetime but you would have to take it off to use the back camera.
Click to expand...

Good point. I wonder if it even fits the new iPod touches. Many old accessories that slip over are no longer compatible.
 
I thought this only worked with a jailbroken app? Is Sprint writing their own app to be compatible with this?

And I also remember this being fitted to the last generation iPod Touch. I doubt that this fits the current model properly.

This seems like a lot of hassle for Sprint and future headache for Sprint. I hope they understand what can of worms they are opening if this rumor is true.
 
Looks like a pretty cool gadget to me. Especially if it has enough juice in that case to bring my iPad (WiFi only) on the air.

It would be nice when visiting a client's site where the WiFi is locked down and they don't have guest codes.

I have a 4th gen. iPod Touch, it's a pretty awesome little gizmo. I bought it mostly for software development, but I use it all the time. I've Skype'd and FaceTime'd on it now and then via WiFi.

The monthly price does seem a bit steep given the bandwidth cap. That's the biggest drawback I see right now.

I'd also wonder what the "talk time" on this is. If it's only an hour that would be a problem -- as the primary use for something like this would be for when you're in transit without access to WiFi or Power.
 
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