PopSugar

Exclusive Look at Sleek Peek Email-Only Device

GeekSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:00:58 -0700

Today I got my hot little hands on the spanking new email-only device, the Peek, and couldn't be more stoked. It immediately appealed to an unconventional, less-is-more side of me. The Peek does email, and only email - but it does it well.

Debuting in a few weeks at Target stores and GetPeek.com for $99, the device is directed at the person who doesn't want or need a smartphone - or the contracts that accompany them. In fact, there's no contract for the Peek because it will run on T-Mobile's network for a $20-per-month flat fee.

The Peek's creators make it clear that they didn't design the device for the hardcore techie, considering many of us have phones that already provide email access. They do aim to please consumers who have a basic phone that works just fine but want to stay connected to email. As they told me, it "doesn't complicate what you've already got." I need my iPhone apps and web browsing capabilities, but I empathize with the goal.

For my first thoughts on the Peek's form and functionality, just read more.

The actual device is surprisingly thin and sleek. As you can see by the side-by-side photos, it's smaller and thinner than the BlackBerry Bold and iPhone, and the screen is a smidgen bigger than the BlackBerry's. You can add up to three different email addresses and use the accounts you already have (i.e., you won't have to have a tmail account just because you're using T-Mobile's network). I found it easy to set up: You just enter your email address and password, and Peek imports your emails right to the device. Done deal. There's a full keyboard, a power button up top, a scroll wheel to filter through your email inbox (it also doubles as a menu button), and a back button on the side of the device. It offers a simplicity that's actually refreshing and will likely appeal to the "OMG, why do you need a phone that has 50 applications and uses?!" crowd that doesn't care about attachments.

Like email on most cell phones, you'll have send/receive functionality, contact lists, and folders for your sent, received, saved, and trash emails, so it really is like you are signed in at home. At the end of the day, there aren't many bells and whistles, but hey, that's why you would buy it right? The Peek comes in three awesome colors: aqua, cherry, and black.

It's a niche device that intentionally has only one function, which in my mind puts it on par with the Flip Video. There will inevitably be consumers who wonder why you would purchase it if you could just buy a smartphone to do it all, but that isn't the company's target clientèle. Stay tuned for updates on what I think of the device after more testing.

View 16 Photos ›

Peek, the Email-Only Device Goes On Sale Monday

GeekSugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:01:57 -0700

Remember the email-only device, Peek, that I got a peek of early (I know, I know, but I couldn't resist)? It looks like it'll be available for sale on Monday at Target, and it's already available for preorder on its website.

I guess we weren't the only ones who were into this simple little device - not only does NYT tech columnist (and my idol) David Pogue love it, the turquoise and cherry colors are already on back order.

I can't wait to see Peek on Target shelves - and at $100, with the $20/month subscription service, I'm curious to see who'll be picking these up. Are you going to get one?

Pictures of the "Peek" Email Only Device

GeekSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:24:31 -0700

View Slideshow ›

Ask a Geek Girl: What's With Carbonite and Should I Sign Up?

GeekSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:05:32 -0700

Dear GeekSugar,
My mom called me the other day freaking out about a Carbonite commercial, saying I should back up my photos before disaster strikes. I've actually seen the commercials late at night (I have to admit, I find them pretty funny), but can't really wrap my mind around why the service is. I have thousands of photos stored on my laptop and do worry it will quit on me one day and I will be left without copies. Should I use this service? Thanks for your help.
- A Fellow Geeky Gal

Dear Fellow Geeky Gal,
I pleased to hear I'm not the only person who is endlessly entertained by late-night cable commercials! You ask a great question because I've been seeing the company name everywhere. Carbonite is a web service that claims to "automatically and securely back up the irreplaceable contents of your computer" for the yearly cost of about $55. It works for PC and Mac users, but has slightly different set up depending on your system. To find out if I think you - and other readers like you - need it, read more.

Before you sign up, I'd suggest perusing the Carbonite website and looking at the demos to see if it fits your lifestyle. Everyone's backup needs are unique. I like to be selective about which files I backup (I only save the most important stuff like pictures, a small number of documents, and music I can't live without), so I don't need the "automatic" program to do it for me. Given you seem most concerned with backing up your photos, I think you should investigate a photo-hosting service before you back up your entire computer and then come up with a plan for backing up your important files. I adore Flickr ($25 a year) for its networking, geotagging, and general photo fun, but also use Picasa for its free simplicity. If you want to back up more documents, check out my guide to backing up data for a peek at a few devices that may be more cost effective for you. You might also check out MobileMe, a service that allows you to sync all your photos, email, calendar, contacts from your Mac (iCal, iDisk, Address Book, and Mail) or PC (Microsoft Outlook) to your iPhone over the air (it costs about $100 a year).

Cheers to planning to back up your data, not matter which route you pick! Anyone who has ever lost their hard drive or even a few files can tell you it's a devastating experience.

Even the geekiest of us have technical breakdowns. There's no question too easy or too techie, so join our Ask a Geek Girl Group and share your concerns and quandaries. Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Show Me Your Casa!

CasaSugar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:00:21 -0700

Along with raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, getting a sneak peek into all of your homes is one of my favorite things. I love to see how you've interpreted your personal style in your home, and how you run with the design inspiration you find online and in magazines. And, I'm always inspired by your homes myself. Beyond that, I like to know what you're working on, be it a quick or time-intensive DIY project, a full home renovation, a single-room redecoration, or the interior design of your entire home.
That said, please share your photos with me and other CasaSugar readers! Upload them to my group on TeamSugar called Su Casa. It can be just a snapshot of a little detail of your digs or a gallery of your home's entire renovation. I love before and after photos, too!! Think of it as a Look Book for home decor. If I see something I like in Su Casa, I might feature it on CasaSugar, so don't be surprised if you get an email from me!

To learn how to join and post in the group, read more.

To join the Su Casa group, just follow this link and click "subscribe" beneath the photo on the left-hand side of the page. Once you're subscribed, click Share in the upper left-hand menu of any TeamSugar page and choose what type of post you want to create. If you have just one photo and some text, create a blog; if you have a gallery you want to share, select "photos."

TeamSugar has a great primer on how to create a blog post, so check that out if you've never posted one before. Here's a rundown of the basic process:

Add a Title and the Body (content for your post). Don't forget to click the Check Spelling link and Upload an Image to make your post stand out!
Post this to a group? Click on the dropdown menu and select the Su Casa group. You will only be able to see groups you're subscribed to, so if you haven't joined Su Casa yet, you will need to.
Click on the dropdown menu and choose the Home and Garden Channel and add some keywords (use a comma, if needed!) in the Tags text box. Then click "I'm done" to view your post!

Source

Peek Drops the Price of the Pronto Down to $60

GeekSugar — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:35:31 -0700

The Peek Pronto - the nifty email device, which offers push email functionality, can be used with five email accounts, and includes unlimited texting - has just dropped in price from $80 to $60. This price is currently available from the Peek website, with stores like Radio Shack and Amazon offering the same price tomorrow.

If this fancy Peek has too many bells and whistles for your liking, you can always pick up a basic Peek from Target for $20, which includes a free month of service (service is around $20). Something I recommend for people who don't need a high-tech smartphone, but want to be able to check their email while on the go.

Show Me Your Casa!

CasaSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Along with raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, getting a sneak peek into all of your homes is one of my favorite things. I love to see how you've interpreted your personal style in your home, and how you run with the design inspiration you find online and in magazines. And, I'm always inspired by your homes myself. Beyond that, I like to know what you're working on, be it a quick or time-intensive DIY project, a full home renovation, a single-room redecoration, or the interior design of your entire home.
That said, please share your photos with me and other CasaSugar readers! Upload them to my group on TeamSugar called Su Casa. It can be just a snapshot of a little detail of your digs or a gallery of your home's entire renovation. I love before and after photos, too!! Think of it as a Look Book for home décor. If I see something I like in Su Casa, I might feature it on CasaSugar, so don't be surprised if you get an email from me!

To learn how to join and post in the group, read more.

TeamSugar has a great primer on how to create a blog post, so check that out if you've never posted one before. Here's a rundown of the basic process:

Add a Title and the Body (content for your post). Don't forget to click the Check Spelling link and Upload an Image to make your post stand out!
Post this to a group? Click on the dropdown menu and select the Su Casa group. You will only be able to see groups you're subscribed to, so if you haven't joined Su Casa yet, you will need to.
Click on the dropdown menu and choose the Home and Garden Channel and add some keywords (use a comma, if needed!) in the Tags text box. Then click "I'm done" to view your post!

Source

First Impressions of the HTC Snap

GeekSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:04:24 -0700

The HTC Snap has been in stores since the beginning of June, but I wanted to wait until I got my hands on one to give you a run down on its features. At first glance, the HTC Snap has a BlackBerry look to it, more so a BlackBerry Bold than a BlackBerry Curve . . . but when you pick it up, you can definitely tell it isn't a BlackBerry.

If you're a Windows Mobile fan, this bad boy runs Win Mo 6.1, so you can easily sync up your contacts, calendar, and email. And with the one touch access keys, you can get to your camera, messages, and the Internet quickly and effortlessly. Other useful features include a two megapixel camera, a microSD card slot for additional storage, and GPS functionality. I also want to point out that it offers a full QWERTY keyboard with keys that are a tad on the bigger side for those who find BlackBerry's to be difficult to type on.

Thumbs down goes to the fact that it doesn't have WiFi or a regular headphone jack.

You can currently pick one up from Sprint for $150 (give or take your contract situation), or if you're with T-Mobile or Verizon, have a peek at the T-Mobile Dash 3G or the Verizon HTC Ozone, which are basically the same device as the Snap.

View 3 Photos ›

Show Me Your Casa!

CasaSugar — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:55 -0700

This orchid is one of the minor miracles in my home right now. My mom gave it to me over a year ago, and it has continually bloomed since then. It makes me so happy to see its gorgeous, pink blossoms every day.

What makes you happy in your home? I'd love to get a sneak peek into your home, and see what makes you happy, whether it's a decorating change or a blooming flower garden. I love to see how you've interpreted your personal style in your home, and how you run with the design inspiration you find online and in magazines. And I'm always inspired by your homes myself. Beyond that, I like to know what you're working on, be it a quick or time-intensive DIY project, a full home renovation, a single-room redecoration, or the interior design of your entire home.
That said, please share your photos with me and other CasaSugar readers! Upload them to my group on TeamSugar called Su Casa. It can be just a snapshot of a little detail of your digs or a gallery of your home's entire renovation. I love before-and-after photos, too!! Think of it as a Look Book for home décor. If I see something I like in Su Casa, I might feature it on CasaSugar, so don't be surprised if you get an email from me!

To learn how to join and post in the group, read more.

TeamSugar has a great primer on how to create a blog post, so check that out if you've never posted one before. Here's a rundown of the basic process:

Add a Title and the Body (content for your post). Don't forget to click the Check Spelling link and Upload an Image to make your post stand out!
Post this to a group? Click on the dropdown menu and select the Su Casa group. You will only be able to see groups you're subscribed to, so if you haven't joined Su Casa yet, you will need to.
Click on the dropdown menu and choose the Home and Garden Channel and add some keywords (use a comma, if needed!) in the Tags text box. Then click "I'm done" to view your post!

Do You Let Your Significant Other Read Your Texts and Emails?

GeekSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 07:32:21 -0700

Cute couple alert! Joshua Jackson and Diane Kruger were caught at Cannes both peeping her BlackBerry with rapt interest. These two are used to sharing gadgets when they're dressed to the nines - last year it was with a Flip camera - and seeing them read a text or an email together reminds me not only of how much I like them together, but how often I share my texts and emails with my boyfriend.

I have to say, I'm all for a relationship with no secrets, and we are a close, but we don't really read each other's texts and emails. (Maybe our messages are just not that interesting!) I may forward the occasional thing that comes in, but in general, I keep my eyes on my own screen, and think it's rude (tempting as it is) to peek at his texts when he's reading them.

I know many couples read each other's texts often though, sometimes for them - do you?

Source