Shenzhen programmer develops device that turns iPod Touch into iPhone

The device, dubbed Apple Peel 520, is based on an idea that a 24-year-old programmer came up with about a year and a half ago. It encases an iPod Touch - which is a media player, personal organiser and Wi-fi platform all rolled into one - and provides it with additional functions including voice calling and text messaging by using a built-in SIM card slot and battery.

It has caught the eyes of Apple fans since it was revealed online late last month. It has also attracted the attention of popular US-based gadget sites such as Dailytech.com and Engadget.com, which translated the first review of a prototype of the Peel written by a Guangzhou-based technology company - one of two gadget websites to receive a copy.

One thousand copies of the device have been made. The remainder are in a warehouse in Shenzhen.

A member of Yosion Technology, the company responsible for the Peel which employs fewer than 10 people, said, "We could start mass production overnight, but before we do, we need to solve the possible IPR problem."

"The manufacturers [who have expressed interest] are concerned about violating Apple's copyright. So our top priority at this moment is to consult with legal experts," he said.

According to Yosion and reviews in Chinese media, the Peel contains a good battery, dock connector, vibrator and a SIM card slot. It allows 4-1/2 hours of talk time and 120 hours on standby.

Yosion said the online price for the Peel would be about 388 yuan (HK$445).

The Yosion spokesman said they had not contacted Apple as they were such a small team and did not expect to be given a channel to talk to the technology giant. Apple's offices in Hong Kong and Beijing could not be reached for comment yesterday.