Also the maker of a dedicated e-mail and texting device, Peek designed the TwitterPeek to empower consumers who don't want to invest in a full-fledged smartphone. With TwitterPeek, consumers can tweet their status, share stories, and spread news as it happens in real time without shelling out a monthly fee for a data package.

"TwitterPeek will make it easy and affordable for everyone who doesn't have a smartphone to really enjoy Twitter on the go," said Peekster-in-Chief Amol Sarva. "Twitter diehards will appreciate its always-on instant tweet delivery, and newbies will finally get Twitter once they have TwitterPeek in hand. Even businesses that Twitter will dig TwitterPeek as a convenient way to stay connected with their customers."

An Affordable Mobile Solution

No one will dispute that Twitter has become a worldwide phenomenon. But Sarva is betting there are millions of Twitter users without a smartphone that haven't been able to fully experience the fun of tweeting on the go. TwitterPeek, a palm-sized gadget that sells for $99 with unlimited nationwide service for six months, aims to change that.

TwitterPeek users can send unlimited tweets and direct messages, enjoy always-on instant tweet delivery, and view links as plain text and Twitpic images. The device also offers a full QWERTY keyboard, a color screen, and a click-and-scroll wheel. Peek is offering a one-year warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee.

"This is clearly not a device for the Twitterati who are debating which is the best Twitter client to use on the iPhone and may have five or six of them," said Michael Gartenberg, a vice president at Interpret. "This is designed for a user that has embraced Twitter but isn't interested in the cost or complexity of a smartphone."

As Gartenberg sees it, TwitterPeek isn't likely to have a huge market, but there is a market. He called TwitterPeek the right device at the right time. Where a year ago, a Twitter-only device would have been too early and a year from now it may be too late, he said Peek is tapping into a timely trend.

A Bridge to Smartphones

After the first six months, consumers will pay $7.95 a month for the Twitter service. Alternatively, consumers can pay $199 up front for unlimited Twitter service for the lifetime of the device. Peek isn't requiring any contracts to activate the service.

"For $199, you have a device that you never have to think about getting service for again," Gartenberg said. "For the consumer that takes into account service fees and not just the cost of device acquisition, it turns out to be a very good deal."

Gartenberg pointed out that only about 25 percent of the mobile-device market is using smartphones. That leaves millions of consumers using feature phones who have no desire to give them up and may not be interested in e-mail or web access.

"Feature-phone users might not want the other higher-order smartphone functions but have embraced Twitter," Gartenberg said. "So definitely not a device for the Twitterati, but for the mainstream Twitter user it may absolutely find itself a viable market."