Sprint ZTE Peel Officially Announced, Has Some Limitations

We knew that the Sprint ZTE Peel was coming for a while, and we even did a post on it a couple of days ago, but Sprint has finally officially announced its Sprint ZTE Peel, an iPod touch case with a built in mobile hotspot. The Sprint ZTE Peel is essentially a Sprint MiFi in the form of an iPod Touch case. The ZTE Peel doesn't actually allow you to use the iPhone's native calling and SMS applications, but there are plenty of other ones that you can use over WiFi including FaceTime calling. The ZTE Peel also doesn't actually interact in any way with your iPod Touch, unlike the Apple Peel 520, which actually lets you use your iPod Touch on any GSM network with your own SIM card. The Sprint ZTE Peel creates a WiFi network which you are able to connect up to two devices to. The ZTE Peel is also limited to WEP security, for some strange reason, but this probably won't be a problem as you probably won't be in the same place most of the time and you won't have to worry about people hacking into your network. The ZTE Peel will require a $30 data plan and will give you 1 GB of 3G data on Sprint's network, there is also no need to sign a contract. The ZTE Peel will also cost just $80, which is pretty close to the price of the Apple Peel 520. Overall, the Sprint ZTE Peel seems like a great device, but you would probably be getter a better value for your your money and a larger amount of data with an actual MiFi device from any carrier. You also wouldn't have to bulk up your iPod if you were to get a separate MiFi device. If you do decide that you want the Sprint ZTE Peel, it will be available on November 14th for $80. Press release below.

ZTE PEEL Brings Sprint’s 3G Network Reliability to Apple iPod Touch; Creates Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots

Unique form factor of ZTE PEEL™ cradles Apple^® iPod touch^® for easy access to Sprint’s 3G data speeds; available Nov. 14

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), November 10, 2010 - Beginning on Nov. 14, Sprint (NYSE:S) customers can attach ZTE PEEL™ to their Apple iPod touch and connect to Sprint’s 3G network. ZTE PEEL is a unique device that cradles the second- and third-generation iPod touch with a case-like form factor. With universal Wi-Fi compatibility and support for up to two Wi-Fi enabled devices, iPod touch users will have a virtually anywhere, anytime Internet connection that removes the reliance on a Wi-Fi hotspot for a data connection. Customers simply slide their iPod touch (touch-screen face out) into ZTE PEEL, press down on both sides until it clicks into place, and then press the power button located on the back of ZTE PEEL to connect to Sprint’s 3G network.

ZTE PEEL will be available beginning Sunday, Nov. 14, through Sprint retail stores and direct ship sales channels, including Web sales (www.sprint.com) and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) for $79.99 (taxes excluded). The ZTE PEEL $29.99 monthly service plan from Sprint allows up to 1GB of 3G data on the Sprint network (taxes and surcharges excluded) with no annual contract required.

“ZTE PEEL unlocks the wonderful user interface and Web experience of Apple’s popular iPod touch and transforms it into a powerful mobile device using the Sprint 3G network,” said Fared Adib, vice president-Product Development. “When combined with Sprint’s 3G network, ZTE PEEL turns an iPod touch from a portable device limited by the availability of Wi-Fi to a mobility tool free to browse the Web and use applications anytime, anywhere while on Sprint’s 3G network.”

Key features of ZTE PEEL include advanced security through WEP, an internal antenna and compatibility with Windows^® 7, Windows Vista^®, Windows XP^®, Macintosh^® OS 10.5, 10.6. No software installation is required for use.

“ZTE is proud to continue to grow our relationship with Sprint, and we are excited to bring this ground-breaking product to Sprint’s already innovative portfolio,” said Joey Jia, general manager-ZTE USA. “We are committed to providing our partners with products that drive consumer demand and present a competitive edge.”

The nationwide Sprint 3G network provides access to a full range of apps that require internet connectivity to perform, including VOIP, gaming, streaming news and real-time sports updates. With ZTE Peel supporting up to two hotspot connections, users can also enable laptops, tablets and other mobile devices with 3G data speeds.

Reliability from Sprint 3G

ZTE PEEL will operate on the Sprint 3G network, and customers can be confident in their ability to stay connected. According to the results of a 13-city test conducted by PC World on 3G performance, no one has a more reliable network than Sprint. For the second consecutive year, Sprint’s reliability rates were second-to-none.

PC World’s test involved Sprint, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile in 13 major cities in all regions of the country during December 2009 and January 2010. In all, roughly 9,000 individual tests of Sprint's 3G service were conducted from 280 testing locations. Testing sessions were one minute in duration per location, and network performance can be highly variable from neighborhood to neighborhood. In laptop-based tests, Sprint tied with another carrier for first in 3G network reliability.²

With the Sprint Free Guarantee, customers can take advantage of ZTE PEEL for 30 days. If not completely satisfied, customers may return the device within 30 days to get reimbursed for the device purchase and activation fee, get the restocking fees waived, and receive a full refund for the monthly service plan charges.¹

Sprint ZTE Peel Rumored To Be Hitting Sprint On November 14

For those of you cleaving to your iPod Touches and looking for a device other than the Apple Peel 520 to satisfy your mobile phone needs, it seems like another option might be available soon. The Sprint ZTE Peel is basically a Mi-Fi (mobile WiFi) router built into an iPod Touch case. Sadly, there is no phone functionality, but you will be able to use any app you would like to for calling. There are rumors that the Sprint ZTE Peel will be available on a contract free 1 GB data plan for $29.99 a month, and the ZTE Peel itself is rumored to cost $80. The Sprint ZTE Peel doesn't seem to differ in any way from other mobile WiFi solutions, so you might as well get yourself a MiFi device from another carrier, put it in your pocket, and connect your iPod Touch to it, instead of having to attach a hefty case to the back of your iPod Touch. Another alternative that you might consider is the Apple Peel 520, which actually adds phone and SMS functionality to your iPod Touch, although it does not support data. Overall, the Sprint ZTE Peel doesn't seem like that good of a device when you look at the amount of small MiFi devices available at low prices. If, for some reason, you do want the Sprint ZTE Peel, it is rumored to be launching on November 14th for $80.

Apple Peel 520 Slowly Making Its Way to US Shores, Adds GSM Connectivity to Your iPod Touch

We actually first heard about the Apple Peel 520 a couple of months ago, but now it seems like the device is going prime time. If you don't know exactly what the Apple Peel is, it's actually pretty simple. The Apple Peel 520 is a case for your iPod touch that adds GSM connectivity to your iPod Touch. The Apple Peel effectively turns your iPod Touch into an iPhone, except for you're not tied down to AT&T, and it's also pretty cheap. The Apple Peel is a silicone case that includes the GSM radio, a 800 mAh battery that should increase your battery life quite a bit, a vibration motor, and, of course, a microphone. Go Solar USA, the company that is bringing the Apple Peel 520 to the USA, is saying the the battery should give you about 5 hours of talk time and 120 hours of standby time, but we are not sure if this is without the iPod Touch's primary battery or including it. The Apple Peel will give you the ability to make and receive calls and send text messages. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like data transfer will be supported, but we don't actually have all of the details yet so it could happen. To use the Apple Peel you will have to have a jailbroken device, in order to get the phone and messaging applications. Originally the Apple Peel 520 was released in China by the manufacturer Yosion, but now Go Solar USA is planning to bring it to the US. They are saying that it will be priced at around $60, which isn't really that high. Overall the Apple Peel 520 could be a great alternative for those who don't want to be attached to AT&T for two years, but also don't want to dish out a lump of cash for an unlocked iPhone.

Apple Makes Major Changes to Its iPods, Amazing New Features

Apple has recently made a few big, or should I say huge changes to their iPod lineup. On Wednesday Apple had an event announcing all of the new changes that they were implementing. Some of the bigger ones were changing the design and features of the iPod Touch, the iPod Nano, and the iPod Shuffle. The iPod Touch is the iPod that received the most new features, including dual cameras, Apple A4 chip, a microphone, Apple’s retina display, and FaceTime support. The new game center was also introduced. As for the cameras, there is both a front and a back camera. The back camera is capable of recording 720p HD video and taking stills, and the front camera can be used for FaceTime or just recording videos. The addition of FaceTime is probably one of the bigger additions to the iPod Touch, and we don’t know how it works yet, but it will probably be amazing. Of course, the addition of FaceTime means that there is now a microphone on the iPod Touch. The new Touch is also a mere 7.2 mm thin, which is even thinner than the last generation, but still more powerful. A feature that some tech blogs seem to have overlooked is that the new iPod Touch also has a gyroscope, which will make gaming even more precise. The new retina display also increases the resolution of the Touch dramatically. The battery life is also a little bit better than that on the third generation iPod Touch. Some of the other hardware has also been upgraded such as to the RAM, to 512 MB. Overall, the improvements to the iPod Touch are amazing, and upgrading is totally worth it. Your upgrade will come at a cost, though. The new 8 GB version will set you back $230, the 32 GB $300, and the 64 GB $400. You can pre-order the iPod Touch now and it will ship on September 8^th. Now, let’s talk about the iPod Nano. The Nano is probably the iPod that has been changed the most in terms of design. Apple has cut out the usual click-wheel and has made the entire iPod Nano a 1.5 inch capacitive touch screen display with multitouch support, though I don’t know how useful multitouch would be on such a small screen. The menu system has also been redesigned to make better use of the touchscreen. Some of the other new features are the increased battery life, which is now 24 hours of continuous music playback. Apple has also removed the camera from the Nano, which some people could find extremely offensive. The new iPod Nano looks much better than the old version and it probably performs better too. You can get the 8 GB version for $150 and the 16 GB version for $180. The iPod Nano ships on the same date as the Touch, September 8^th. Last but not least, Apple has also made some changes to the iPod Shuffle, even though there weren’t that many things that could be changed in the first place. One of the things that you will first notice has changes is that the buttons have returned to the iPod Shuffle. The shape of the Shuffle is also a little squarer. Other than that you won’t notice any design changes. Other than the design of the iPod Shuffle it doesn’t look like anything else has really changed. You can get the shuffle for $50 for a 2 GB version, also shipping on September 8^th. Apple has sure made a lot of changes to their devices, but most if not all of them are probably for the better.

Update

iFixit's tear down revealed the the new iPod Touch actually has just 256 MB of RAM, not 512 MB, which is a disappointment.

iOS 4 Causes Problems With Second Generation iPod Touches

Apple’s iOS 4 has added a lot of great features to iPhones and iPod touches, but it has also caused a lot of issues. Ever since iOS 4 has been installed on my second generation iPod Touch, I have been having a lot of issues with it. There have also been a lot of reports from Real Gadget Reviews’ readers that they have also been having a lot of issues. One of the biggest things is that it causes a lot of crashes. I believe that this is mainly because it uses more RAM than iPhone OS 3, and this causes applications to not have access to enough RAM. This is just my opinion. I have noticed that with iOS 4 a lot of my RAM heavy applications and a few very simple applications have been crashing for no reason at all. The web browser is also unstable. This could be because second generation iPod Touches just don’t have the hardware required to run iOS 4 smoothly, but if that's true, why was it released for them in the first place? If Apple knows that it will cause problems, which they should have known, they should have either found a way to resolve them, or just made second generation iPod Touches unsupported for the update. Another big issue is that battery life has been greatly decreased. Before the iOS 4 update I could use my iPod Touch for days without recharging, but now, if I leave it off the charger at night when it is fully charged, it's dead the next morning. I would have been okay with this if iOS 4 added a lot of features, but it didn’t, at least not for second generation iPod Touches. The biggest feature that we got is probably the ability to have all of your emails unified into one inbox. Other than that, I don’t really see any great improvements. If anyone at Apple is reading this, please take action to fix this, because not all of us have the cash to upgrade to the newest hardware every six months.

Real Gadget Reviews will be Posting iPhone and iPod Touch App Reviews

Real Gadget Reviews will be starting to post iPhone and iPod Touch app reviews. We will be reviewing all of the applications that we can.

Jailbreaking your iPhone or iPod Touch: All You Need to Know

Jailbreaking your iPhone or iPod touch is pretty much hacking it to remove Apple's restrictions. There are a lot of things on the iPhone and iPod Touch that could be improved. Thousands of users have jailbroken their iPhones and iPod Touches in order to change or improve their devices. The iPhone is held back by its lack of multitasking support, the apps in the app store, and more. One of the biggest things is the approval process of apps in the app store. A lot of apps that people want are rejected by Apple. Jailbreaking provides a solution for all of this. Jailbreaking your iPhone or iPod Touch gives you access to Cydia, the main unofficial app store. There are also some other unofficial app stores. Cydia does not have an approval process and does not limit anything. This means that users who have jailbroken their devices have access to a much larger number of applications. Jailbreaking lets you do a huge number of things with your iPhone or iPod Touch that Apple does not want you to do. For example, you can multitask, or run multiple apps at the same time, change the wallpaper on your homescreen, organize things a different way, tether your iPhone to your computer, and much more. Jailbreaking also allows you to unlock your iPhone, or use it on any GSM carrier. Jailbreaking allows you to do almost everything with your device, but there are some cons. First of all, Apple has probably disabled all of the features that jailbreaking enables for a reason. One being, multitasking would probably drain your battery a lot. Apple wants to control your user experience, and by doing this they can insure that your iPhone or iPod Touch works without any problems and that you are satisfied. Also, when you do something with your iPhone or iPod Touch that Apple does not want you to do, it might not work as it is supposed to. Some people say that jailbreaking could brick your device, or render it completely useless, but the chances of this are very slim and I have never heard of it happening. Jailbreaking also voids your warranty. If you take your device to the apple store and it is jailbroken, they will probably refuse to fix it. This is fairly easy to get around though, because you can just restore your software through iTunes and no one would ever know that your iPhone or iPod Touch was jailbroken. Another con is that every time that Apple releases a software update, they find some way to block jailbreaking. This means that if you want your iPhone or iPod Touch to stay jailbroken you would have to leave it on the current version or wait for a jailbreak to be developed for the new software update. A new jailbreak is always developed, but no one knows when the jailbreak will be released. Now that we have listed most of the pros and cons of jailbreaking, we can finally get to actually doing it. Jailbreaking your iPhone or iPod Touch these days if fairly easy, usually the software for jailbreaking does all of the hard work and you just have to sit back and watch. Jailbreaking is as easy as the press of a button these days. In the past it was complicated and took a long time, but now all you have to do is press a button. In this post we will not actually describe how to jailbreak your device, but all you have to do is search for and iPhone or iPod Touch jailbreak on Google and you will get a million great ways to do it.