Your own iPod Touch Hot Spot.

Monday, January 10th, 2011 Netcast 1261

New from Sprint is the ZTE PEEL. This device lets Apple iPod touch users carry their own Wi-Fi hotspot. It connects to the Internet via Sprint’s nationwide 3G network. Now this is important. The ZTE PEEL lets you lock in second and third generation iPod touch so it looks like one single case. Although it works fine with new 4^th generation iPod Touch that I have, it lays in the cradle, without locking in. That’s because the newer model is a touch slimmer. To use your Touch anywhere there’s Sprint 3G service, just press the power button on the back of ZTE PEEL. Five green LED lights that show how much battery is left when you power up. A single blinking green light lets you know you’re connected to the Sprint Network. The Peel has cutouts for the power and volume buttons, but you have to use the supplied mini-dongle to connect headphones with the case in place. You’ll also have to remove the Touch 4G from the PEEL to use the iPod’s rear-facing camera, which is absent on versions 2 & 3 of the Touch. If you’re wondering why the dock connector doesn’t help hold your Touch in place, it because the Peel doesn’t use a connector. The Peel is merely providing Wi-Fi for your Touch. Actually you get support for up to two Wi-Fi enabled devices to be connected at the same. It’s compatible with Windows 7, Vista, XP and Macintosh OS 10.5 and 10.6. Security through WEP 64 Bit (Open or shared). As soon as you turn on your Touch, ZTE PEEL shows up as a connectable option in WiFi settings. There’s no software installation required. Inside the device is a 900 mAH Li-Ion Battery, which Sprint says offers up to 3 hours of active use time. The PEEL is charged separately from your Touch since they are not physically connected. The PEEL is $79.99 + $29.99 monthly for 1 GB of service. As Leo mentioned, 1 GB may turn out to far less that you’ll. Oh, there is no contract required for this device. 

www.sprint.com 

SEE or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1261