US carrier tailors 3G jacket for iPod touch?
A Peel for your Apple
US wireless carrier Sprint is slated to offer a kind of handset sleeve that could provide 3G wireless access to an iPod Touch, the Apple iPhone that's not a phone.
As noticed by Phone Scoop, Chinese manufacturer ZTE has submitted a Sprint-branded device to the Federal Communications Commission that can house a mini-tablet like the iPod touch and supply EVDO 3G service via WiFi. In essence, it's a WiFi hotspot that wraps around a WiFi-only handheld.
This contraption is dubbed the "Peel," an apparent play off the Apple name.
At this point, it has only been approved for Sprint's slower EVDO service, Rev. 0. It has its own battery, and the battery recharges via microUSB port.
With this as yet unannounced device – and a little help from Skype – you Americans can almost turn your iTouchs into an AT&T-free iPhone. But you may want to simply buy an iPhone and jailbreak it. That's now legal. ®
COMMENTS
Well,
"MiFi adapter wrapped up in a bulky iPod Touch case? Am I missing something?"
Pretty much, except it isn't that bulky- especially when you factor in the fact that it has a battery in there. And it wraps around the iPod, so there's nothing extra to carry, as such. Also, if they're sensible they can really power down the wifi broadcast- it only has to reach a centimetre or so that way.
No phone calls? Skype- now multitasking enabled. No SMS texts? Skype again, or the myraid other over-the-web SMS apps on the App Store.
Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy to be sticking with my Android phone, but this is a very interesting development.
errrr...
It doesnt matter if you unlatch, unlock or Jailbreak your iPhone, it aint gunna work on Sprint's EvDo network without some magic gizmo.
@Stu
"...Does it work only with Jailbroken phones, comes with some custom software to provide a phone/sms facility, if at all?..."
As the article said, 'with a little help from Skype'.
Hmmm
Not bad, especially if it's cheap. The ipod touch is free via a back to school rebate at this time of year if you buy a mac computer. I got one last year but didn't have much use but something like this in the UK would interest me.
no microphone, no speaker(s) either
but if you buy this http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB770G/B?fnode=MTY1NDA3NA&mco=MTM3NDk2ODg then problem solved, or as you would say: sorted.
