Category: Sujeetech

Fact, as they say, is often stranger than fiction. Strolling around the aisles in the electronics’ section at Target this weekend had me looking at one of the back aisle displays – the one that faces the flat-screen TVs, in the back. Here’s what was at the top of the display:

I got to looking at the device closer. The use of the trackwheel on the side is very “circa BlackBerry 2005″, but it was good for the BlackBerry then; and I don’t see why it won’t be the same on the Peek.

‘Course, paying $100 for an email-only device that does not do phone calls; means that you would much rather pay $20 per month just for your email, rather than pay an additional $15 for a data plan on your existing phone / PDA. Stretch that a tad more, and you’ve got the questions:

• If you have a cellphone already, why would you pay an additional $100 for a device that does email alone; and pay $20 more per month to power it?
• If you had to spend an additional $100 for a device and an additional $20 per month to access your email, why wouldn’t you get a BlackBerry / Treo / HTC Touch, etc.?
• Would you carry two devices around with you? One that did just email, and another that did just phone calls; when almost the same amount of money would get (and sustain) a device that did both?
• If you were a parent, would you rather your child(ren) had a Peek, or a cellphone with a text-messaging / data plan?
• If you were a (small) business owner, would you pay $100 / device and $20 / month / device; per employee; or just let them expense a data plan on their own existing devices?
• If you were a (small) business owner, would you prefer your employees to have a cellphone, or a Peek?
• In this day and age, if a mobile (smart) device doesn’t let you access the Internet, would you get it at all?

That’s just the start. I’d be happy to do a thorough review of the Peek if the folks at Peek sent me a device. Or perhaps an interview wherein they answered the questions above (and more – I’ve got several!).

And then, the punchline. Two rows below on the same display, on the same day that it debut-ed at Target, here’s what I see:

Want a closer look? Here ya go…

So, let’s get this straight. The Peek is on clearance in the first week of release; at a price that’s a 30% reduction off it’s regular retail price. As far as I know, Target prices things competitively, but this kinda says a lot more than just “competitive pricing in a bad economy”, doesn’t it?

And just so you know – there’s “sale” and there’s “clearance”. And between those two, there’s a huge difference.

Yeah, yeah – I know. The Peek made the “Gadget of the Year” on the TIME Magazine charts.  But, even on the page that heralds it as such, they say – “Peek doesn’t work with corporate e-mail yet, so for now, it’s primarily for Web-based mail.”

Translated, it’ll work only with free services like GMail, Yahoo, etc.

So, once again – is your free email worth $100 + $20/month? And would you carry a separate device just for it?

If you’re Jason Bourne, Bruce Wayne or one of the IMF gang that hangs with Ethan Hunt, your responses don’t count.