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Rumor: Sprint working on iPod touch-friendly 4G hotspot called "Peel"

I was first introduced to the wonders of the mobile Wi-Fi hotspot at Macworld earlier this year -- our own Mike Rose was carrying one around, and it was like magic. A Wi-Fi connection for up to five people anywhere you go? Yes please. I don't think the charges make it necessarily feasible for someone on a budget (say, a humble blogger like yours truly) to carry around every day, but it's certainly handy to have around, especially if you're traveling.

And now Sprint is apparently looking to piggyback one of these devices on Apple's iPod touch. Macrumors reports on new filings to the FCC that show a device that's almost a case; it's designed to be attached to the back of Apple's handheld, providing local Wi-Fi service anywhere you happen to be. It's called The Peel, and it doesn't connect to the iPod touch at all except physically -- it's just a case that wraps around and sets up a Wi-Fi spot whenever it's hooked up.

It's worth nothing that this isn't the first time Sprint has tried to pair up their 4G service with an Apple device -- you might remember the iPad 4G case that came out a while back. Makes a lot of sense -- Apple's devices need a connection, and Sprint has a much better chance of making you get one if you've already got a device to use it with. We'll keep an eye out for an official release of The Peel.

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iPhone iPod touch

I was first introduced to the wonders of the mobile Wi-Fi hotspot at Macworld earlier this year -- our own Mike Rose was carrying one...
 

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Jackboss

Does Sprint wanna share the profit of apple products? Who knows.

This software just do iPod Transfer easy!
http://www.ipodmactransfer.com/product_detail.php/pid/21335-1/pa/iMacsoft-iPod-to-Mac-Transfer

July 30 2010 at 10:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
danielhertlein

Clearwire has an unlimited 4G mobile wimax in ATL for $40 a month. I've been testing with Skype for a couple of months with a cell phone as a back up.

Now that Skype has FINALLY implemented backgrounding into the iOS version, I'm about ready to cut the cord once and for all. If Apple comes out with a touch that has video, mic input and camera, I'll buy one.

July 30 2010 at 10:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MRCUR

Where in the world did you get 4G from, Mike? You should probably update the title of the post...

July 30 2010 at 8:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TheCastro

Just use iphone headphones

July 30 2010 at 8:42 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TheCastro

You mean to use a jailbroken 3g as hotspot, that could actually work. Try it, there's no cost to you except like $1.00 microsim converter.

July 30 2010 at 8:41 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mrtotes

Whilst it's 3G rather than "4G" (I bet the percentage coverage of the country is significantly better on 3G) 3UK have been selling a MiFi bundle with "free" iPod touch for some time now.

The 15GB monthly data limit is certainly more than I use across all my devices and at £23pm it's not significantly more than home broadband. (without the iPt it's £15pm)

http://threestore.three.co.uk/broadband/?mifi=1

July 30 2010 at 8:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Thomas Mellen

could they make it with a mic build in for skype?

July 30 2010 at 3:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
uzerzero

Seems like this isn't the only rumored "Peel" product designed with the iPod touch in mind....

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/28/ipod-touch-turned-into-a-phone-using-yosions-apple-peel-520/

July 30 2010 at 1:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Yuusharo

Never mind the fact that the guy said he wanted to use AT&T instead of Sprint, the Evo with wifi capabilities is $110 per month. If you're going to talk about hacking, you might as well jailbreak the iPhone and install PDAnet on it.

Unfortunately, AT&T doesn't sell a mifi, but you *can* buy an AT&T 3G compatible Mifi 2732 for around $200-300. Full price, sure, but you can pop that iPad Microsim into this guy with an adapter, and viola! $30 per month mifi!

Of course, I haven't tried this myself, but it should be fairly simple. You just have to change the APN settings to match what the iPad uses and your'e done.

July 29 2010 at 9:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
4nth0ny

Wow you are really getting ripped off. You should have forgone the iPhone4 and picked up the Evo4G like myself. $80 for unlimited everything and you can have a mobile WIFI hotspot for 8 devices, all you have to do is root the phone to skip the 30$ per month fee. Then you will have internet for your Mac, iPad and phone. 4G will be in most metropolitan areas by December.

July 29 2010 at 8:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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