Turn iPod Touch Into a Real Phone - ZTE Peel

Thanks to the wonder that is Voice over Internet Protocol, better known as VoIP, people have long been able to make phone calls from computers or, say, an iPod Touch.

But a new iPhone case with a built-in 3G-to-Wi-Fi hot spot comes closest yet to turning an iPod Touch into a real phone. The case, called the ZTE Peel, wraps around a second- or third-generation iPod Touch to connect it to Sprint's 3G data service.


That means that by using a VoIP application, you can make phone calls on the move just as you can from a mobile phone.

You can also use it to connect a fourth-generation iPod Touch to the Internet just by having the Wi-Fi hot spot case nearby, but it will not snugly fit the fourth-generation Touch.

Two devices can connect to the Peel at a time, so you can also use it to connect a Windows or Macintosh computer to the Internet at the same time you are using your faux phone.

The Peel, which becomes available on Sunday, will retail for $80 through Sprint online. It will also require a $30 monthly service plan, which allows for 1 GB of data. That is about the equivalent of one hour of YouTube streaming, 250 Facebook uploads or 5,000 one-page e-mails.

When AT&T offered tiered data packages last June, Skype estimated that one minute of VoIP over 3G would use about 0.345 MB of data. So according to Skype, 1 GB of data should be about 2900 minutes of VoIP voice calls. That's for a $30 a month fee. If the Peel works as promised ... bargain!

Whether or not it's as good a deal as buying an iPhone depends on whether you already have an iPod or not. A 32 GB iPod Touch costs $299, the same as the 32 GB iPhone 4.

Comparing the cost of plans with the iPhone 4, still available only through AT&T, you would have to have a voice plan the costs $40 to $70 a month, a data plan that costs $15 to $45 a month, and there's an optional messaging plan that costs $5 to $20 a month. The low total would be $55 a month for talk and data with no texting.

The Peel-iPod-Sprint plan combo is less expensive, but until we know how much talk you get, it's premature to call it a bargain. If you need a phone, I suspect you'll still be better off with the proper iPhone. I'll know more after testing the Peel in a week or so. If you just want to add a phonelike feature at a moderate price, the Peel might appeal.

Free Shipping is the Key Theme for This Holiday Shopping

Free shipping has already become one of the most attractive promotions retailers offer.

Walmart offers (through Dec. 20) free shipping for nearly 60,000 items.

Gap recently dropped its required minimum purchase for free shipping in half -- to $50.

L.L. Bean started offering free shipping with no minimums this summer (that will end Dec. 20).

Zappos.com, the Amazon subsidiary famous for its comprehensive shoe lineups, offers free shipping to customers and returned shoes from customers.

AT&T 2010 Shopping Season Top Sellers

Apple's iPhone 4 and iPad will be undoubtedly the best sellers, not just for AT&T wireless, but for the whole consumer electronics industry. But there are many other choices a consumer could consider from AT&T, this website has a good comprehensive review of them.

Victoria's Secret Super Secret Rewards Deals

Victoria's Secret is offering a secret rewards card worth at least $10, $50, $100, or even $500 until 11/30. They are also offering a free lip gloss kit with coupon code LIPGIFT10 on any order over $10. Rewards card must be redeemed between 12/1-12/19. Free shipping with coupon code WARMSHIPVS. Thanks LMart 1 Add any sweater over $10 (additional sweaters) 2 Checkout and enter offer codes WARMSHIPVS for free shipping & LIPGIFT10 for free lip gloss 3 Total is $12 + free shipping + secret rewards card worth at least $10, $50, $100, or even $500..

BestBuy Black Friday Cellphone Deals Revealed

Best Buy Black Friday 2010 Ad & doorbuster deals on cell phones are available.

For instance, you can get AT&T's Blackberry Torch for $49.99 with a 2 year activation. For Verizon customers, you can get the HTC Droid Incredible for the 'incredible' price of $1. Sprint customers can get an LG Optimus S phone for $1 with 2 year activation, and an LG Rumor Touch for $69.99. Samsung intensity 2 and Samsung Transform on Verizon and Sprint, respectively are also included in the deal.

Windows 7 Phone at 1 cent at Amazon

This penny deal won't last long - Amazon is selling the HTC Surround and LG Quantum for 1 cent as part of a wider penny sale on AT&T devices which runs until Monday.

The penny deals cover a variety of AT&T handsets other than the two Windows Phone 7 devices and are only available for new customers who must sign up for a two-year contract.

Target Black Friday Deals Revealed

Here's a sampling of what Black Friday shoppers at Target stores could score this year: $3 appliances, deep deals on HDTVs (e.g. 40-inch Westinghouse 1080p LCD HDTV for $298, down from its regular price of $550) and 50% off on clothes and toys, according to a website that says it has received a leaked copy of the retailer's circular.

Also in the ad: $3 Chefmate appliances such as 2-slice toasters, 5-speed electric handmixers and 2-slice sandwich makers; a Wii Fit bundle that includes the Wii Fit balance board and Wii Fit Plus game for $67; TomTom GPS XL335T with lifetime traffic updates for $79; 8GB iPod Touch with a $30 gift card for $225; Sony wireless Blu-Ray player for $99; 4GB Xbox 360 game system for $200 with a $50 gift card; DVDs for $4; and 50% off on select toys and children's winter clothing priced at $5.
The ad said the merchant is also offering a free gift card worth $10 if you spend $100 or more at its stores from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Black Friday.
For shoppers looking for early online deals, Target is kicking off discounts a day before Black Friday. Target.com is offering special sales from 3 a.m. ET Thanksgiving Day to 2:59 a.m. ET on Friday featuring up to 50% off on cameras, televisions, a Blu-ray player and a video game console. In addition, any Barbie item purchased will ship for free.

Huawei - Ideos 7" Tablet S7

If you are looking for a perfect consumer electronic gadget gift for this holiday season, you have a gift from BestBuy now - the Huawei S7 tablet at only $299.

At only one third of iPad's price, you get a tablet with high quality, beautiful touchscreen, all the necessary applications you name it - GPS, Google Map, Bluetooth, Modem to get online on wireless network (for example, use T-mobile's prepaid data service), camera on both front and back for video conferencing, ...

Best of all, try it for 30 days, if you are not happy, simply return it to BestBuy! But, I am sure you will love it!

The best holiday gift!

Prepaid Offers the Best Value for Smartphone Users

Prepaid in the U.S. is no longer for credit challenged people anymore. If you are a smartphone user, you can find the best value in Prepaid, saving thousands of dollars over a typical 24-month period which is normal for a Postpaid contract.

See a detailed analysis here to find out from where you can get the best deal.

Amazon Lightning Deals