Filed under: iPhone, iPod touch
Rumor: Sprint working on iPod touch-friendly 4G hotspot called "Peel"
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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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave said 8:22PM on 7-29-2010
The FCC filings show EVDO Rev. 0 not WiMax.
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Dave said 8:23PM on 7-29-2010
The case even says 3G on it.
Actionable Mango said 9:02PM on 7-29-2010
The article linked to even says it's 3G. Sheesh.
ABCNEWSER.com said 8:51PM on 7-29-2010
When will AT&T release a Mifi device? I'm already paying $60/mo for data on my iPhone 4 and iPad 3G, I might as well cancel my iPad plan and throw in my MBP for $30 more. (And I want att because I have excellent 3G coverage here, and it is much faster than Sprint/Verizon/Virgin.)
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4nth0ny said 8:57PM on 7-29-2010
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.
Yuusharo said 9:11PM on 7-29-2010
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.
ABCNEWSER.com said 9:35PM on 7-29-2010
@Yuusharo, thanks, that's actually a pretty good idea. I did a quick search and couldn't find anyone who actually has done it, so it's too big a risk at $250 for me. Do you think it would work if I jail broke my old iPhone (3G), bought a Micro-Sim to Sim converter, and just put my active iPhone 4 sim into the 3G whenever I want to use it as a mifi? I don't need it too often, but for trips and stuff it could really help.
TheCastro said 8:41AM on 7-30-2010
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.
JHam said 1:49AM on 7-30-2010
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/
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Thomas Mellen said 3:02AM on 7-30-2010
could they make it with a mic build in for skype?
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mrtotes said 8:18AM on 7-30-2010
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
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TheCastro said 8:42AM on 7-30-2010
Just use iphone headphones
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MRCUR said 8:45AM on 7-30-2010
Where in the world did you get 4G from, Mike? You should probably update the title of the post...
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danielhertlein said 1:16PM on 7-30-2010
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.
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Jackboss said 10:56AM on 7-30-2010
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
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