A Review of a Peek

October 29, 2009

So.....I am not big on reviews of products, I am not one to get free products and then claimlie that I loved it.  I already made it pretty clear how I would NOT be doing many more (if any) reviews with bloggers.  I was actually thrilled to hear that there would be some crack down on the reviews and the blogger would need to fess up and explain that the review was just an advertisement.  

Any hoo, I did myself a little review...and I will disclose what I got and how it became to be.

Flattery Will Get You Everywhere

Yes, like everyone else I love me some compliments.....I know, totally self absorbed - but I am being honest!  I am sorry, I do enjoy nice words.  Say something nice and THEN insult me....I may not even hear the second thing as I will still be blushing and and saying, "Oh stop." after you said something nice.  So....last week I got an email (like I get sometimes weekly, if not at least monthly) asking me to review a product.  I was asked to review the latest version of Peek and I was going to get a Peek in the mail, they were going to activate it, all I had to do was use it.

I quickly (well not really it was more like a few days) emailed back saying I did not usually do reviews and I could not figure out why my readers of my blog would care.  I never thought I would get a response, but i did - the email I got back said that my writing.....wait for it......was AWESOME.  They called me awesome?  I mean, me?  I was like - okay, sign me up.

Blackberry I will Always be Faithful to You

Here is the thing I love my blackberry, I am on my secondthird if you count last Fall when I dropped mine in a cup of coffee and then tried to deny it.  I took it to the Verizon store and said it stopped working....the guy took the battery out, showed me the color changed proved it had been in liquid and then he smelled it.....he said, "Ma'am (I hate that) it smells like coffee."  I was all, "those damn kids....."  Anyway I upgraded this Summer to #3 - and my blackberry is pink - bright fluorescent pink.  That way my husband does not pick mine up by accident and I NEVER lose it in my purse - it almost glows.  I get calls, check email, keep up on Facebook, watch my google email - I am almost always connected.

The bad part about my blackberry is the cost, it costs us about $50.00 a month.  Also it gets stuck sometimes and I have to reboot my computer.  I also do not like all the bells and whistles sometimes - lots of the little extras it does - I never use.  And I am not a cell phone talker - I hate talking on the blackberry - cell phones are much easier.  Oh, and I am not a blue tooth girl - I. hate. bluetooths.

So, I may always love my blackberry I am not totally convinced it is the best, or most economical for me.  It works for now and I do not go far without it....in fact it is the first thing I check in the morning and the last thing I check before bed.  I always know what is going on, who is trying to reach me and I like that.  I um, may have some issues....but that is a total other post.

Me & The Peek

I got the Peek last Friday and set it up right away.  I already had my work email set up with my blackberry so I set this up with my Facebook email account....yes, I have a separate account, and I figured if I was going to get to try something out - why not keep in touch with my Facebook friends.  The Peek is just a small device that lets you check your email, and reply.  It is not a phone, it is not checking the internet, it is not a GPS device - just check my email.  But only one account - which of all does not work for me, I have a few:

Work Email - work related stuff, PR stuff, companies I work with, sometimes friends

Personal Email-my children's school (Facebook too) has this email account.  I link this to Facebook.  I also use it for ALL catalog orders, any time I need to give an email address

Google Mail - This is um, I have no idea why I have this.  This email is sort of a little bit of both emails.

With the Peek I was only able to hook up to one email account.  I liked checking all my emails, oh and I have Instant Messenger on my Blackberry....another good thing. 

Not the Perfect Solution

I have 3 email accounts, I can only check one.  I have no internet, I have no Instant Messenger.  Even though I do not like talking on the phone, I need a phone.  I would need to have two devices.  The one that I have is black and thin - I can NOT find it in my purse.  If I were to purchase one I would buy a bright color so I could find it (not really a con but a truth).

Me Likey Some of the Peek

I liked that the Peek was simpleto use - it took less than five minutes to set up.  I liked that I could check email all day, it never went down, it was very easy to use (uh, ya I am repeating myself).  The wheel on the right side was like my older version of the blackberry - I was familiar with it.  It locked easily.  The Peek is very small, slim and the keyboard is easy to use.......eh, a broken record - it was simple.  If this had existed 3 years ago I would have probably gotten this instead of a blackberry - it only costs $15 to $20 a month.  For when I travel - this Peek would be great - just to keep me connected.  I am not one that texts (but I am trying to figure out texting......which the Peek lets me do).  Even though I have not figured out texting, I like that it costs me NOTHING.....all part of the plan.

The End of the Story

The Peek is fun to use and great to stay connected.  I would rather get an email from a friend (or business partner) than a phone call.  I also just (as in seconds ago) tried texting........for the first time.  Dam, I wish I was texting all last week.   It is super easy.  This device would be great for people that do not need 1 billion applications for their phone (uh me).  I am not switching, but I do like the Peek.  I think it is worth looking at when figuring out if you want a way to stay connected when you are out and about.  This device would be great for my mother - someone that likes to stay connect to work, but has no interest in a blackberry or i-phone.   

Comments

[kyooty]

Do you think based on your experience that maybe it would be useful more for say a student? I'm thinking if kids can't have cellphones in school but need to use emails, the school has less computers then kids? kids don't need phones, they dont' need IM but they may need emails for assignments? Can it receive attachments? and is it subject to Virus problems? I wonder.

[London]

I think it sounds perfect for the older generation, like my mother or even people that don't use a blackberry or iphone for work.

I happen to use my blackberry for work. It's with me at all times and I do use a few more features than the Peek has to offer. Such as IM and the calendar. I also hate talking on the phone, I would much rather get a text or email. And forget those bugs (um bluetooth's) you put in your ear. I hate seeing someone talking randomly into the air and have been known to answer them before I realize they aren't talking to ME.

I also think it would be perfect for the teenagers, who don't use the phone even though they have the capability. I have three boys, all with cellphones and I rarely get them to answer my calls. If I want to talk to them, I have to text. It would be nice for my college age child to have it for email and text. I pay a small fortune to have a blackberry acount for him for basic features.

The price sounds great, I would love to know what my boys thought of it!