A while back, I had the chance to take a look at the Peek email device.  This is a standalone mobile device, about the size of a Blackberry, which does nothing except check email (text messaging was added later).  While this felt a bit limiting to me, I thought it seemed like a very nice solution for someone like my Mom, who might want to check email but does not have any interest in a full scale smartphone.  Let’s be honest, everyone uses email almost every day, whether they are technologically inclined or not.  So, the ability for non-techies to check email on the go made sense.

Today, I got an email from Amol Sarva, the creator of the Peek, with a sneak peek (sorry about that) at his latest creation, TwitterPeek.  Like the original Peek, this is a sole purposed mobile device.  Instead of email, however, the TwitterPeek will log into your Twitter account, allowing you to read and send tweets from anywhere.

While I could really see the attraction of the original Peek, I simply cannot say I see the same niche for the TwitterPeek.  Twitter has simply not worked its way into every day life the way email has.  Most of the non-technical people I know use email, but do not necessarily see the same need for Twitter.  Furthermore, unlike email, most of the people I know on Twitter are at least savvy enough to access it from their iPhone or other smart device.  Add to that, the price of the Twitter Peek, which will run you a whopping $99 with 6 months of service or $199 with unlimited service; and I am having a hard time coming up with a good reason to opt for this one instead of a feature phone like the Sprint Instinct or other smart phone.  Nonetheless, you can find out more at www.twitterpeek.com.

What do you think?  Would you purchase a single purpose mobile device like the Peek or TwitterPeek?  

TAOYUAN, Taiwan – November 4, 2009 – Today, HTC Corporation chief executive officer, Peter Chou, joined Microsoft Corp. chief executive officer, Steve Ballmer and Harvey Chang, chief executive officer of Taiwan Mobile to announce the availability of the highly anticipated HD2 in Taiwan.   HTC and Microsoft also announced that the HD2 was available in Europe and would be coming to the United States with a major US carrier in early 2010.

“The HD2’s amazing customer experience is a testament to the close partnership between HTC and Microsoft and we’re excited to be bringing the HD2 to Taiwan, Europe and the United States,” said Chou. “The HD2 is the first Windowsâ phone with HTC Sense, an HTC user experience focused on making the phone more simple and natural to use and by enabling people to personalise their mobile experience in their own unique way.”

“Working with HTC, we’ve delivered great phones that help customers connect to the people and information they care about, wherever they are,” said Ballmer. “The HTC HD2 shows what’s possible through our close partnership with HTC and it breaks new ground for Windows phones by delivering a beautiful multi-touch screen that people will love.”

The HD2 is the first Windows phone with HTC Sense, a customer experience focused on putting people at the centre by making their phones work in a more simple, natural and personal way.  With its industry leading, high-resolution, 4.3-inch capacitive touch display, the ultra thin HTC HD2 delivers more visible content in a sharper, brighter and richer way.

The HD2 uses the first capacitive touch display on a Windows phone to make viewing, zooming and resizing websites, Microsoft Office files, PDF documents and pictures easier with just a pinch of your fingers.  The large display also enables faster, more efficient and accurate typing using the onscreen keyboard.  Utilizing Qualcomm’s new 1Ghz Snapdragon mobile processor, the HTC HD2 offers enhanced performance that improves the speed of applications, videos, games and more.

Developed with a passion for enhancing people’s lives through innovation, design and ease of use, HTC Sense is rooted in three fundamental principles of Make it Mine, Stay Close and Discover the Unexpected.

Make It Mine

The HD2 continues HTC’s drive for personalization by reflecting not only what you want on your phone, but also where you are. Using its large 4.3-inch window-like display, HTC has brought a new dimension to weather with a localized, animated weather experience that utilizes HD2’s entire display without being invasive to your important content and information.  The HD2 can also be further enhanced to reflect your needs and style by downloading a wealth of applications at the new Windows Marketplace for Mobile.

Stay Close

The HD2 helps you stay close to the important friends and colleagues in your life with HTC’s people-centric communication approach that provides a single contact view that displays individual communication snapshots of your conversations with the people in your life regardless of whether a call, text, Facebook status update or email were used.  While in the midst of email exchange with someone you can easily transition to a call by pressing the call button.  HTC has also included a new Windows-based version of its Twitter application, HTC Peep.  The pictures you take with the 5MP camera can also be quickly shared via Facebook or Twitter.

Discover the Unexpected

With the HTC Sense experience, the HTC HD2 includes a variety of enhancements that expand and improve the overall phone experience. The HD2 includes a variety of sensors including a proximity sensor that is used to prevent false screen touches when the phone is picked up to answer or make a call.  A light sensor automatically adjusts the brightness of the display.  Leveraging its 3G broadband connectivity, the HTC HD2 also offers personal Wi-Fi anywhere for your computer or other devices.

Also available for the HTC HD2 is the optional car kit that automatically transforms HD2’s user interface into a finger friendly in-car navigation experience for driving.

Windows phone

As a new Windows phone, the HTC HD2 showcases the powerful messaging, browsing and productivity capabilities delivered by Windows Mobile 6.5.  Offering a best in class e-mail experience complete with the ability to synchronize with Microsoft Exchange, you have the ability to check and manage multiple email accounts. Microsoft’s new My Phone service enables you to automatically back up and synch photos, music, contacts and text messages for free from the HD2 to the web.

Availability

Already shipping in Europe, the HTC HD2 is now available with Taiwan Mobile and will be available throughout Asia in the coming month.  The HD2 will be available in the US in early 2010.

About HTC

HTC Corporation (HTC) is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile phone industry. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC creates innovative smartphones that better serve the lives and needs of individuals. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit www.htc.com.

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The names of companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

It feels really weird when new things come out and at times it feels like we are back in the early 1990’s.  Anyone remember the old GameBoys?  Or what about the older Palm Pilots?  The common link between these devices is the lack of a backlight which which caused some accessory manufacturers to build lights that shine on top of the LCD display.  As it was back then, so it  is again now with the Kindle.  As the point of Kindle is to have an LCD display that is paper-like in appearance and soft on the eyes, having a backlight would not seem proper.  But if you shine light on top it’s just like reading a book – and that is what Case-mate’s new Enlighten does.

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I remember how much I love using the keyboard for everything.  I’m the kind that is faster hitting a CTRL+S to save, CTRL+C to copy, and CTRL+V to paste than trying to go with a mouse to do the same task.  If you are looking to be a Windows power user, or just trying to find some extra time saving tips, read on and find out what powers the new Windows 7 Window’s button can do for you!

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Electronic package-less distribution is here now and it’s here to stay.  I’ve bought many a game on Steam or through Direct2Drive which I buy merely a license and download my game.  Likewise, Best Buy is now getting into this business but with DVDs.  Much like Amazon Unboxed, CinemaNow, will be Best Buy’s partner in providing direct digital downloads of DVD titles for rent or purchase on all of Best Buy’s “web connected” products.  Most DVD titles will be available on the day of release.  I just hope that they do something similar like Apple where bonus features are available also when purchasing a digital version of the product.  With a nice fast U-Verse or FIOS connection, it sure beats driving out to the store to buy a new movie…just log on…buy your movie…go eat lunch and come back and watch.  Ahh…live in the broadband / medianet era sure rocks!

Source: Engadget