Dedicated tweeting gadget TwitterPeek launches

TwitterPeek sells for $99 or $199.

(Credit: Peek)

A new gadget designed specifically for people who want to tweet on the go was launched Tuesday by gadget maker Peek.

The device, dubbed TwitterPeek, does one thing and one thing only: it lets people tweet. It doesn't access e-mail. It doesn't make phone calls. It tweets. That's it.

TwitterPeek, which looks like a smartphone, features a QWERTY keyboard and comes in black or aqua blue.

The idea behind TwitterPeek is simple. After buying the device, users need only to input their Twitter credentials to get going. The gadget lets them tweet, reply, retweet, send direct messages, and download followers. It supports one account at a time. Users can also view TwitPics by clicking the "view content" option from the TwitterPeek menu. The company claims its battery lasts three to four days with average usage.

Included in the price of TwitterPeek is a service plan. According to the company, users can access Twitter nationwide through Peek's own "mobile network," which accesses mobile-phone networks. If users choose to pay $99 at the time of purchase, they will get the TwitterPeek device and six months of Peek service. After that, they need to pay $7.95 per month for network access. If customers plunk down $199, they'll get the device and service for the life of the product. In either case, TwitterPeek allows for unlimited tweeting.

It makes sense that a device designed exclusively for Twitter would come from Peek. The company already offers the Peek and Peek Pronto, which are designed exclusively for mobile e-mail and text messaging.

But TwitterPeek, while an interesting idea, will need to convince consumers that it's really necessary in the marketplace. There are a slew of mobile apps that allow people to tweet while they're on the iPhone, some BlackBerry models, and Android-based devices.

It's also debatable whether even the most ardent Twitter users will want to pay $199 just to have access to a tweeting gadget. Evidently, the gadget was built for people who don't have access to mobile Twitter apps. It may also be useful for people who access Twitter from their mobile browser; that experience tends to yield more headaches than value when people want to post a quick tweet.

If you're interested in picking up a TwitterPeek, you can buy it exclusively on Amazon.com for $99 or $199, depending on your desired service plan.

But will you? Let's hear it in the comments below.

[lavachickie]

Oh hell no.

[1970Wagoneer]

Wow...really? We have reading devices exclusively for storing thousands of books (noble), we have cell phones that can do just about anything and everything we would want it to, all in one device (handy), but a device for $200 that can just tweet? I will be extremely disappointed in society if this takes off.

LOL are you kidding me? You can get an iPhone for $99. I'd be surprised if this thing sold more than 1000 units.

[jtoast]

Yea but can you get the Iphones service plan for $7.95/mo? I know I'm paying close to $100/month on a two year contract to be part of the Iphone users group.

[jlt0x]

Believe it or not, there are quite a few people who don't have or want the iPhone. So none of those "apps" really mean anything to that set of consumers. There are people that post tweets every 5 minutes of their day. This device lets them tweet anywhere w/o a mobile phone or the expensive data plan.

I have a feeling that Peek will eventually release a device that will allow you to only text, e-mail, and Tweet. All for sub-$10/mo service plans.

[cdotspace]

jlt0x - OK, maybe if it allowed text, email and tweeting but JUST tweeting? I agree with 1970Wagoneer: I will be extremely disappointed in society if this takes off.

[solitare_pax]

You can do a lot with the iPod Touch that you can do with an iPhone - That would be a better alternative than this dedicated device that will wind up with the other must-have gadgets in some forgotten drawer.

[mamann]

I'm so very confused. Is there anyone in the world that would own this before a cell phone? If you can tweet, follow, and remove following all from your cell phone with a simple text message; where is the value in this product?

[ravenshuman]

Possibly, just possibly, they could find a niche market with older folks that are phobic of integrated gadgets but want to dip a toe into the social networking pool. (Sort of the tech equivalent of a gateway drug.) But as a viable, growing market? Nope. And I'm speaking as someone who does carry multiple gadgets (because I hate the still camera in my phone and I love my FlipVideo).

[DnetMHZ]

Sad, just sad.

[noesnoesnoes]

If you were sensible, you'd buy a decent Android phone for free and pay a monthly plan.. Then you'd get Internet, phone calls, texts, navigation, apps and.... yes.... you'd also get Twitter.

[insomnislacker]

Why isn't this called a Peep, or Tweep. I guess they can't call it Cheap, though.

[jeffyablon]

Seriously, about the stupidest thing I've seen . . . today.

Can't wait for tomorrow, though!

[CNET editors' note: URL removed]

@jtoast "Yea but can you get the Iphones service plan for $7.95/mo? "

Seriously? $7.95 a month to be able to do type short text msgs? LOL! Yeah that's the same.

@jtox "Believe it or not, there are quite a few people who don't have or want the iPhone. ...There are people that post tweets every 5 minutes of their day. This device lets them tweet anywhere w/o a mobile phone or the expensive data plan."

Do you really believe that those folks that are that addicted to Tweet do not already have a mobile phone? All I'm saying is why spend a$100 for a device to Tweet when you already have the ability to do so on your mobile phone?

[acezsoft]

Are you kidding me? The Motorola droid will be less expensive than that! Also, now users need to carry one more device around besides their phone. I don't see it happening.

Bryan
http://www.acez.com

[inachu1]

My plan:
Do not buy this.
Purchase Ooma for free telephone service.
Save $200 a month by canceling my iphone service!
YAY!

[justin76here]

This is STUPID! I have a Peek Pronto (email/texts) for $19.95 a month. If you have this, you don't need a TwitterPeek. There are websites you can sign up at to send and receive Tweets from your email. TwitterPeek is a waste of money. When the Peek company comes out with a mobile web device, then I'll pay attention. BTW, I do not recomend the Peek Pronto, the device is a piece of garbage and the service is sketchy from time to time.

[missilesilo]

I don't know why people are bashing this device. I canceled my iPhone service because it was too expensive. I was paying $90 a month for cell phone, internet, and texting. With this device, I would pay $200 and no more monthly fees. This device lets you send and receive messages from anywhere, through twitter, without paying a monthly service fee. IMO that is a good deal. Instead of people texting you, you can tell them to tweet you or send a direct tweet.

[mikemc3]

Are you kidding me!! With Cell Phones, Netbook and about a billion other devices that have Internet access Amazon has the nerve to try to milk the Kindle craze by selling this worthless thing.

Only thing that makes this sadder, there will be consumers (suckers) that will actually buy this.

[mikemc3]

Really funny scenario...like all things Internet the Twitter FAD runs it's course. People move on. Twitter eventually close's it's doors. That's $200 of wasted money.

[SurferGeekGirl]

The worst part is, this company treats us like we're stupid or something. Why in gods name would we need a device to do only one thing in this digital environment we're living in? The Peek is irrelevant. Obviously it gets a big FAIL from me.

[manalagi001]

Jumping the shark.

Really? Wow. Who the hell would buy this thing? If you have money for this, and you tweet, you probably have the bucks for a cellphone and a decent text messaging plan, so you can do your twit-stuff that way. This is probably going to end up on the Top 5 dumbest gadgets.

[shiningdevil]

*loses it* Oops.