Give Peek credit. Shortly after I wrote that the company would find it tough to create a market for its dedicated Twitter device, a representative wrote to ask if I'd try it and review it. I accepted.
Here's what I've learned in my week or so of testing:
- The TwitterPeek is a well-designed device that has everything you'd expect.
- Using TweetDeck on my iPhone is faster, richer, and more intuitive.
In other words, as much as I like this device, I can't see anyone who has used a smartphone opting for the TwitterPeek. Apple
The TwitterPeek isn't just limited in scope; compared to my iPhone, it's also slow, typically lagging three to four minutes behind in delivering tweets. To be fair, this could be due to the sometimes-mediocre network reception at my home office. On the other hand, TwitterPeek was far more reliable than my typical AT&T
Shortcuts are another strength. Using a variety of keyboard combos, the TwitterPeek can organize tweets, retweet, reply to followers, or fast-forward through to the most recent posts. A side-mounted scroll wheel also aids navigation. In all, I'd say the TwitterPeek boasts a pretty smart design.
What I fear is the niche. ARM Holdings
But that could also be because I've never used a BlackBerry, the most famous and most effective one-off device in telecom history. TwitterPeek's look and feel is eerily similar to that of RIM's boxy, keyboard-laden breakthrough.
Which, ironically, brings us full circle. Formerly a one-off device, the BlackBerry is now a smartphone. The TwitterPeek seems to me unlikely to cross the same bridge. That's why, even after trying and liking it, I still question the device's future.
But that's also just my take. Now it's your turn to weigh in. Is a smartphone in your future, or are one-off devices such as the TwitterPeek more your style? Let us know by voting in the poll below. You can also sound off using the comments box at the bottom.