PEEK: good things come in small packages

Image via engadget.com

When Ms. Kick-Ass Kelly asked me if I wanted to try out the PEEK, I was a bit hesitant. I have a Blackberry and I wasn't too keen on the idea of having 2 messaging devices to lug around. However, this techie geek's curiosity was peaked (no pun intended) when I read all the positive reviews online. And besides, my Blackberry Storm is a serious piece of crap and I've been having so many issues with the touch screen that the thought of having buttons back in my life was too enticing. So I told Kel & Julie from Six Apart to count me in.

We were able to choose the color we wanted - Black Cherry, being mine - and had 2 months to try it out for FREE. Pretty awesome, right?

After a month of using it, abusing it, and getting acquainted with it, here are my thoughts:

PROS:

• Sleek, lightweight but still feels very durable.
  
• Very easy to use - I was all set up and receiving emails within minutes of taking it out of the box.
  
• It has a full qwerty keyboard (which is a MUST). The buttons feel nice to the touch and are raised enough so that they are easy to press individually.
• The face is one sheet of a rubbery material which completely covers the buttons. This might not be a big deal, but I personally like the fact that there aren't any crevices around the buttons where dirt can get trapped or any liquids can seep through. Also, the material gives it a nice grip.
• It has a side push track wheel like the older Blackberries used to have. This was one of Blackberry's best features that they stupidly got rid of. I'm glad the PEEK was smart enough to bring it back.
• Messages come through very quickly with little to no delay.
• Large screen with easy to read type.
• This might sound silly, but it has very pleasant alert tones. Not annoying at all.
• No contracts and you can cancel at any time with no cancellation fees or penalties.
  

CONS:

• Emails are only in html format. I confess, if I receive emails w/pretty pictures, I want to see the pretty pictures.
• Unlike the Blackberry, it doesn't link up with your email account(s). I have 3 very active email accounts and receive more mail than I'd like to. With the Blackberry, I can choose to delete the message only on the handheld or both the handheld and the mailbox. Unfortunately with the PEEK, when you delete a message, it remains in your mailbox which means you have to go back in and do some house cleaning.
  

OVERALL: The PEEK really is a great device. I'd recommend it to people who don't want to spend a lot of money on a smart phone or pay the extra data usage fees that cell companies charge to send/receive emails and texts. The PEEK is also great if you want to be able to hold a conversation on your cell and still be able to text or email. If you want a straightforward email device without unnecessary frills, this is definitely for you.

CONTEST:
Not only did the people at PEEK & Julie from Six Apart hook it up w/a free device and 2 months free subscription, they also gave us another PEEK to giveaway!

One of my lucky readers will win a brand new PEEK in Charcoal Gray with a free one month subscription!

HOW TO ENTER:
You can enter a total of 7 times!

1. Follow me on Blogger (1 entry)
2. Follow me on Bloglovin' (1 entry)
3. Follow me via a feed (ie: Google reader) (1 entry)
   
4. Tweet this contest (1 entry)
5. Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)
6. Post about this contest on your blog (1 entry)
7. Leave me a comment listing all the ways you've entered (1 entry)

RULES:

1. You must leave me a comment listing all the ways you've entered. This is so I can make sure you have the correct number of entries.
2. Only open to US residents 18 and over
   
3. Contest will end July 6 at 10pm PST.
4. Winner will be chosen by a random drawing and announced July 7.
   

Thank you again to Kelly from My So Called Fabulous Life..., Julie from Six Apart, and the people at PEEK!

Visit my other fabulous fellow PEEK reviewers to get their thoughts and enter their giveaway as well!