Peek Pronto
Manufacturer: Peek Part number: CNETPEEKPRONTO
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Peek Pronto's lower price and addition of text messaging makes this a great affordable alternative for messaging addicts.
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Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Peek Pronto price range: $44.99 - $49.99
- Reviewed by: Nicole Lee
- Reviewed on: 03/27/2009
- Released on: 03/25/2009
The good: The Peek Pronto has a very spacious QWERTY keyboard with soft and tactile keys. It has a really easy user interface, a jog dial, and is slim. It also now offers text messaging, Word and PDF support, and search. The device is affordable and the monthly service plan is cheaper than before.
The bad: We would've liked to see instant-messaging support, and separate folders for the text messages would've been nice.
The bottom line: The Peek Pronto's lower price and addition of text messaging makes this a great affordable alternative for messaging addicts.
Last year when we reviewed the Peek, we ragged on it for being an e-mail-only handheld. It just did not seem worth it to us to pay $100 for the device and still have to fork out $20 a month for only e-mail. Still, we liked the design, and its simplicity and ease of use were all huge positives. We also understand the desire for a simple e-mail device for those who don't want complicated smartphones. We just wanted a little something more for the money.
Thankfully, Peek appears to have answered our concerns with the Peek Pronto. Not only are the device and subscription cheaper, but also the second version of the Peek now offers way more features. You get up to five e-mail accounts, support for Microsoft Exchange, the capability to send and receive text messages, PDF and Word document support, and search across the device. The hardware is pretty much unchanged, so don't be surprised if a lot of this review seems like deja vu. The Peek Pronto is available now for $79 for the device and $16.67 a month if you go for the quarterly plan. There is no contract required.
The Peek Pronto looks exactly like the original Peek. It is wide, thin, and flat, with a black rubberized front and a silver metal back. It measures 4.02 inches long by 2.7 inches wide by 0.42 inch thick, and is very lightweight at only 3.84 ounces. It is much lighter than a BlackBerry, though it does look a bit like a business calculator.
On its front is a 2.5-inch diagonal QVGA display just like before. It's large enough to show at least eight messages in a list. Along the top of the display are icons that show signal strength, battery life, date and time information, and a circle animation that rotates when it's processing an action. You can adjust the backlight time, the color theme, and the font size. The text is very clear and legible.
Underneath the display is one of the Peek's biggest selling points, its roomy QWERTY keyboard. The Peek Pronto's keyboard is slightly better than the one on the original--the keys are a little softer and have a nicer give when pushed. They're all raised above the surface and are made out of a cushy material, so it's really easy to type. On the right spine is a jog dial, which you can use to scroll through lists. You can also press it to select messages, and bring up a drop-down menu of functions. Next to the jog dial is a Back button. The charger jack is on the left spine.
Even though it doesn't just do e-mail, the Peek Pronto is primarily an e-mail handheld. Setting up an e-mail account is as easy as entering your name, e-mail address, password, and hitting Submit. Peek works with most e-mail providers including Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, and AOL. You can have up to five e-mail accounts (which is an upgrade from the three on the original Peek) and you can import your contacts over as well. If you want to add your Microsoft Exchange mail, you'll need to contact Peek with your network settings. Peek is working on a self-service portal to facilitate the process in the future.
Perhaps the most valuable addition to the Peek Pronto's features is the capability to send and receive text messages. It uses an e-mail-to-text gateway, so you basically send text messages like you would an e-mail address. For example, if you were sending an e-mail to someone on AT&T, the address would be 4155555555@txt.att.net. Different carriers have different e-mail addresses. Verizon addresses end with @vtext.net, Sprint addresses end with @messaging.sprintpcs.com, and T-Mobile addresses end with @tmomail.net.
The person who receives the text message will see the sender's name, the Subject line, and the Message text in the message. It will come from a 10-digit number associated with your Peek Pronto handheld, which they can then send messages to as well. All of these messages go into your in-box, and there's currently not an easy way just to have all those messages go into a separate folder. We definitely think having the text-messaging feature is an improvement; this way you can send and receive text messages with the Peek Pronto without needing a specific text-messaging plan.
Like most messaging software, you can open, compose, reply, reply all, save, forward, and delete e-mail. You can mark them read or unread, and send them to the Drafts or Trash folder. You can also set up the sounds and alerts for incoming messages. Do note that with regular e-mail, Peek still uses POP and not IMAP, so you might have to do some in-box juggling. For example, deleting e-mails on your Peek won't delete messages in your e-mail account. However, this is not the case with the Exchange account since they use Outlook Web Access for getting Exchange mail.
As with the original Peek, the Peek receives its signal from regular cell towers, so you do need to be in a good signal strength area to send and receive messages. Also if you travel abroad, you might incur roaming charges. Other features of the Peek Pronto, like we mentioned earlier, include support for Word and PDF documents, so you can open up these attachments and read them on the device. We also like that you can now search through your messages.
There are also a variety of tips and tricks out there to add functionality to the Peek. For example, there's Twittermail, a third-party way to send Twitter updates via e-mail, and rss2email, a free tool for delivering your RSS newsfeeds to your e-mail client. Please note that adding these extra services might fill up your in-box.
After addressing our problems with the original Peek, we finally think the Peek Pronto is worth the money. We're wishing for instant-messaging support in the future. The one thing that truly put the Peek Pronto over the top for us is the addition of text messaging, especially in the light of expensive messaging and data plans offered by regular cell phone carriers (Often more than $40 combined if you go the unlimited route). If you tend to send more messages than talk on your phone, the Peek Pronto might be worth it.
User reviews
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Nice device design, but email is slow, no true SMS.
by psyop15 on June 7, 2009
Pros: Low cost, no contract email and texting (kind of), bundled in a lightweight easy to use (though somewhat crippled) package. Some of the technical staff are amazingly knowledgeable and considerate. Company has personal support.
Cons: There is NO way to text FROM a cell phone to a peak directly; the cell phone user MUST use an SMS to email gateway address if their SMS client will not permit an email address in the SMS "to" line (many permit numbers only), or..., send you an email.
Summary: Delivery times are terrible for email, between 6 and 15 minutes); Peek says they are working on it, but they've been saying that for quite some time (service times ...
Summary: Delivery times are terrible for email, between 6 and 15 minutes); Peek says they are working on it, but they've been saying that for quite some time (service times seem to fluctuate rather dramatically).
Contrary to what the CNET review says ( It will come from a 10-digit number associated with your Peek Pronto handheld, which they can then send messages to as well), you cannot send a text message directly to a peek device. It MUST go through and SMS to EMAIL gateway, which then gets dropped into your email account, which then gets picked up by PEEK and converted to a "pseudo" text message.
No threaded discussions in SMS of any kind.
System does not automatically highlight the newest messages first (one click open, for example, upon new message arrival).
Push email flat out doesn't work on Peek. Works fine on my Windows Mobile Phone and my Blackberry, both of which are setup with Hotmail and GMail, but don't work at all with Peek. Supposedly coming, but I don't see it on the horizon.
Seems to be a poorly implemented clone of the worst parts of the Sidekick infrastructure.
No rich content email (no hyperlinks, no images, no nothing, just everything converted to text).
Need a special cable that has a usb to serial converter board in it to do ROM upgrades; why they can't put a USB chip in this thing is beyond me, they cost mere pennies.
If they fix the performance problems of the backend, actually ISSUE THE TMOBILE NUMBER FOR THE DEVICE so that SMS works like it's supposed to, add a USB chip to the device so that the proprietary cable can go away, add threaded messaging, fix PUSH email, and add at least some support for formatted message content, this thing will be a messaging killer.
Until then, hold on to your current phone and messaging plan.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Not ready and overmarketed - stay away
by cristiantiu on May 27, 2009
Pros: Simplicity.
Cons: Buggy sofware. Overmarketing. Shady practices.
Summary: 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 ...
Summary: 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 answer 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 running. Seems impossible to get the entire amount of fees back even though the Peek did not work.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Text/SMS and Email in one nifty and affordable device
by norova on April 1, 2009
Pros: Messages come into my Peek as fast as regular txt messages get to a cell phone. Communicate quickly and easily with friends, co-workers and family (especially great for technology-challenged family, i.e. grandparents) for a ridiculously low price.
Cons: It didn't exist five years ago when I first got my cell phone / texting. I hardly use my phone anymore as the Peek takes care of everything I use frequently on a daily basis.
Summary: If you are tired of throwing away your money to cellco's for over-priced data and messaging plans, the Peek is for you. It will give you full access to ...
Summary: If you are tired of throwing away your money to cellco's for over-priced data and messaging plans, the Peek is for you. It will give you full access to your email and SMS/txt on the go, anywhere T-Mobile has coverage. It will keep all of your contacts neatly organized, allowing you to quickly choose message recipients on the fly while composing a new message.
One major feature that is new with the Peek Pronto is push email, and I can say from personal experience that it is certainly fantastic. Emails from my Gmail account arrive at my Peek within 10 to 15 seconds of hitting my Gmail Inbox, and sending messages out is just as speedy.
* Another new feature with the Pronto is the ability to search your emails. If you are like me and save many more emails than you really should, this feature comes in handy A LOT. Looking for an email you received last week with your UPS tracking # in it? No problem. Pronto's search functionality will find it in no time.
* You can associate up to five different email accounts with your Peek, making it great for keeping track of all your work and play communications.
* Put a password lock on your Peek to keep all of your data safe, secure and well away from prying eyes.
The Peek Pronto has many more features than I've mentioned. Check out the web site for better descriptions and detailed pricing info. I hope to see some of you active in the community soon! We're always looking for more friendly people to join in this communication revolution with us!3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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At first good, then not...
by compuser01 on December 1, 2009
Pros: Cheap email device
Cons: No Interent
No MP3
No Camera
Had it for a day and then emails stopped coming in. Called support and they had me remove the account and wait for 30 minutes before readding the account. I do not know if this is the solution.Summary: Maybe good for non-professional on the go who just needs email. Does not seem to be totaly reliable for business use.
Ad internet, mp3, and a camera, then it would ...Summary: Maybe good for non-professional on the go who just needs email. Does not seem to be totaly reliable for business use.
Ad internet, mp3, and a camera, then it would be a neat device. -
Does what it says but jog wheel button is hard to push
by floydsm8 on October 28, 2009
Pros: Simple, convenient, functional, screen not vulnerable like iPhone
Cons: Jog button is hard to push in
Texts come from two different numbers and could confuse people who try to return your text with a phone call and failSummary: If you text someone they might try to call you back which won't work; the text shows as coming from two different numbers, one of which gave me a "...
Summary: If you text someone they might try to call you back which won't work; the text shows as coming from two different numbers, one of which gave me a "number not in service" message and the other just rang and rang. So someone trying to reach you could be frustrated or give up. What needs to happen is 1) if someone calls either of the numbers, they get a message, "Sorry, this is a text-only number" or 2) You can record a message explaining how they should call you or not to do so.
Also: Why, oh why does the screen not light up when a message comes in? I have it on my desk and am alerted when a message comes in but can't just glance at the screen to see if it's ignor-able.
Also, after using a BlackBerry and iPhone, this feels a bit "less than"; I'm torn between disliking that and liking the simplicity and low price.
Updated on Oct 28, 2009 -
Almost Perfect
by setsar on October 24, 2009
Pros: Does exactly as advertised. Easy to carry. Cheap and cheap plans.
Cons: ringer is very low. Have to unlock to see the time. 1 inbox for all accounts.
Summary: Does exactly as advertised. Wish it had IM but I am still happy with it.
Summary: Does exactly as advertised. Wish it had IM but I am still happy with it.
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$299 for unlimited texting and email for life.
by IcerC on October 11, 2009
Pros: Great keyboard.
Incredible battery life (days)
Simple controls.
Txting for cheap.Cons: No threaded txt message conversations (new email for each message)
Summary: Finally what I needed. A cheap (cost me $10 at target) device with cheap service ($250 lifetime of device, just call peek) that's tough, sleek, and simple.
Summary: Finally what I needed. A cheap (cost me $10 at target) device with cheap service ($250 lifetime of device, just call peek) that's tough, sleek, and simple.
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Peek Pronto is fast! Get it at Amazon
by asarva on March 28, 2009
Pros: Pre-orders at Amazon
Exchange support
Push
TextingCons: No bells-and-whistles
Summary: Time to get connected and this is the easy and affordable way to do it
Summary: Time to get connected and this is the easy and affordable way to do it
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Texting and fast email at a thrifty price
by gfabius on April 1, 2009
Pros: Texting, blazing fast email, works with MS Exchange and is super easy to setup
Cons: No Instant Messenger
Summary: With a preview version of the Peek Pronto I could do everything I needed when on the go.
I could:
-Email
-Text
-View Word/PDF/pictures
-Have 5 accounts in ...Summary: With a preview version of the Peek Pronto I could do everything I needed when on the go.
I could:
-Email
-Text
-View Word/PDF/pictures
-Have 5 accounts in one central inbox (one being exchange)0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Super fast!
by TickNaylor on April 1, 2009
Pros: Works really well, it's as fast as my Blackberry.
Cons: Might like to see threading of emails like Gmail does.
Summary: Very good deal! I was impressed with the demo unit I saw... I'd definitely buy one.
Summary: Very good deal! I was impressed with the demo unit I saw... I'd definitely buy one.
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Manufacturer info
- Peek
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Peek products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.getpeek.com/index.html
- Address:
265 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016 - Phone: 347 284 1971
