Supposedly, all 3G-capable phones, Rev 0. and Rev A. will now require a minimum $9.99 data plan which includes 25MB (and also includes mobile email). The 75MB plan is reportedly going away to be replaced with a $29.99 unlimited option (including mobile email). The only exception to the rule are the PTT phones.

UPDATE: Added photo confirming this, but the required data plan only applies to “3G Multimedia devices,” apparently.

The upset of the year is not happening on the ice or the gridirons, instead it is happening over at Time’s website. Believe it or not but a poll over at Time.com has the Peek Email device leading the list as the top gadget of 2008.  Not the sleek Flip Mino portable video camcorder, the iPod Touch, the MacBook, or the many other fantastic products that are among Time’s options, it is the Peek that is the fave amongst the Time respondents. You remember the Peek. It is that email only device that runs on T-Mobile’s EDGE network and provides unlimited email access for $20 per month. It is not just slightly ahead of the competition either. It is mopping the floor with them, garnering almost as many votes as the iPod Touch and the MacBook combined.  We’re going to reserve comment on this one and turn it over to you readers. What do think? Is the Peek really the gadget of the year or this a case of some wild online ballot stuffing? Chime in and let us know if the Peek’s rightful place is atop Time’s list, or if Time readers are crazy and the Peek belongs somewhere back around 1998.

[Thanks, Horatio!]

Read

…with a side of, well, more mobile email. Peek is a one trick pony, hoping to corner the market for casual email users looking to step into the wonderful world of constant mobile connectivity. It provides access to consumer accounts from most popular provider, including Gmail, Yahoo Mail, AOL, and more. The handset itself will be $99.95, available exclusively from Target stores beginning this fall. Monthly “all you can eat” email service will be $19.95, provided courtesy of T-Mobile’s EDGE network. It’s a cool concept, but we’re honestly not convinced that this thing holds much in the way of appeal over its more capable, more attractive, and generally more appealing cousin, the Blackberry. Sure, you’d end up spending a bit more on your monthly bill for a standalone ‘Berry plan, but for folks that already have voice service you can get $9.95 unlimited email on T-Mobile, with $19.99 getting you email+data. Peek who? Yeah, we thought so. Then again, maybe this baby will bowl us over when we put it through its paces, but until we’re convincd otherwise we’d have to suggest a “pass”.

[Via Engadget Mobile]

Read