We mentioned the ZTE Peel for the iPod touch just a few days ago possibly landing at Sprint on November 14. Today, Sprint confirmed that the iPod touch sleeve will indeed be available on that day and added a few extra details along with it as well. In case you’re hearing about the ZTE Peel for the very first time just now, it’s basically a sleeve that goes over your iPod touch and allows it to connect to the Internet via Sprint’s 3G network. Pretty neat, right? You might also be able to get some VoIP action on it, too.
Here’s what Sprint tells us:
• Provides 3G Internet access wirelessly.
• Hardware design is meant for versions 2 & 3 of an iPod Touch to slide in and stay in securely in normal use situations.
• Universal Wi-Fi compatibility with 802.11b and 802.11g.
• Supports up to 2 Wi-Fi enabled devices to be connected at the same time.
• Compatible with Windows® 7, Vista®, XP® and Macintosh® OS 10.5 and 10.6.
• Advanced security through WEP 64 Bit (Open or shared).
• Simple to connect with Hands-Free Activation.
• Easy to use Admin UI.
• No software installation required.
• Internal antenna.
• Dimensions: 4.8” x 2.62” x .86”, 3.2 oz.
• Main Display: 3.2” CGS (320 x480 HVGA).
• Standard 900 mAH Li-Ion Battery, up to 3 hours of active use time.
Not a shabby way to get your iPod touch connected when you’re not in a Wi-Fi hotspot or covered area. And with a huge chunk of iOS applications functioning only when data is available, the ZTE Peel doesn’t look like such a bad option.
The Peel is going to go for about $80 and will come with a $30 data plan that allows you 1GB of data. You be the judge of whether it’s worth it to you, but also note that these things are designed for the second and third generation iPod touches. No word on whether it will work with the fourth – the newest model with the front and rear cameras and retina display.