The Apple Peel 520 is an innovative adaptor that converts the functions of your iPod Touch to that of the iPhone. The simple device is a soft plastic phone case or ‘skin’ into which you can slip your iPod Touch, install some software and Voila! You have an iPhone! Created in China’s grey market in Shenzhen China, the Apple peel 520’s rubberized phone skin is outfitted with a battery, dock connector and a SIM card for voice calls. To set it up, you install software that forms an interface between the iPhone programme and the iPod Touch, which enables text messaging and other phone specific functions. This means you have to unlock some of the iPod software and download its applications. Unlocking instructions for the installation process are available online and the entire conversion takes about an hour. The annymous inventor claims he invented the device because the iPhone in China is expensive and remains unaffordable despite the competitive consumer market, and that many of Apple’s factories are located in China. Shenzhen is flooded with knock-offs of all kinds, but the cell phone sector of the imitation market is especially booming, with inexpensive phone clones often carrying more features than originals.
Of course, the Apple Peel 520 doesn’t perform at the level of an authentic iPhone. There are still a few glitches that need to be smoothed out. According to a Chinese review by M.I.C. Gadget, the Apple Peel does not support a 3G system. Calls made from the converted phone experience a slight audio delay, and there are no options to delete or forward text messages. But these minor issues are not enough keep consumers buying inexpensive convertor. With the iPod Touch going as much as $300USD less than the iPhone, spending $57USD on the Apple Peel seems a small price to pay upgrade your iPod Touch to an iPhone. Original Articles http://edition.cnn.com http://micgadget.com http://www.worldcorrespondents.com