The Apple Peel 520 , a Chinese - develop production that drew the medium ’s attention for being able to turn an iPod mite into an iPhone - comparable twist , is come to America .
The add up - on equipment , which just become on sales event in China , has been billed as a more affordable alternative for users wanting to get their hand on an iPhone , but lack the budget . The Apple Peel is a protective caseful equipped with a dock connector , battery and SIM card , that slips on to an iPod contact . Once connect and properly installed , the machine will admit the iPod sense of touch to make phone telephone call and station text edition messages .
Earlier this calendar month , solar engineering science companyGoSolarUSAsigned an correspondence with the Taiwanese developer of the Apple Peel , Yoison Technology , to develop the gadget , file away it for a U.S. patent of invention and deal out it in America . The first presentment models of the Apple Peel will arrive in America this week , GoSolarUSA articulate in a program line on Monday .
“ As before long as they arrive , we ’ll begin mete out manifestation mannikin to retail buyers across the country , ” said GoSolarUSA CEO Tyson Rohde in a statement . “ The amount of pursuit in this product that we ’ve encounter from distributors has been staggering . ”
The Apple Peel feature five hours of lecture metre and 120 hours of standby use on its battery . GoSolarUSA has yet to offer a retail toll for the add - on . But Yoison Technology is selling the equipment in China for 520 Yuan ( $ US77 ) .
Yoison could not be reached for remark . But the party plans on releasing 2,000 Apple Peels this month in China , according toYoison ’s on-line auction site . Other knock - off versions of the gadget are already being sold online in China .
The button come afterApple launch its iPhone 4 in Chinalast workweek . The smartphone is so democratic that it ’s already in short supply among retail outlets selling the gimmick . buy an iPhone 4 without a contract in China is slightly more expensive than it is in America . The 16 GB framework be 4,999 kwai ( $ 744 ) , while the 32 GB example costs 5,999 Yuan dynasty ( $ 893 ) .
The shortage of iPhone 4s and the high price are reasons why the Apple Peel may find a substantial following in China . Prices forApple ’s latest iPod touchrange from 1,798 yuan ( $ 269 ) for the 8 GB mannikin up to 3,198 kwai ( $ 478 ) for the 64 GB model .
How the Apple Peel will fare in the Taiwanese grocery store will count partially on how consumer perceive the price gap , said Flora Wu , an analyst with Beijing - base consulting firm BDA . “ The iPhone 4 will minify in price over time , and so if the Leontyne Price gap is minuscule , the motivator wo n’t be as crowing . ”
But the Apple Peel is a notable example of “ rearward innovation , ” in which Formosan developer have get hold way of life to pluck intersection from foreign country and make them more suitable for the domestic market , Wu said .
“ I think there will be a grocery store for the equipment , ” she added . “ But the market potential difference will count on the price spread and how well the user experience is . ”
