By SCOTT CANONThe Kansas City Star

A long-rumored device that will combine the iPod Touch with Sprint Nextel’s 3G network goes on sale Sunday.

The Chinese-made ZTE Peel fits around an Apple iPod Touch like a protective case and connects to Sprint’s 3G network, providing a mobile Internet link.

It works with second- and third-generation iPod Touch devices to serve as a WiFi hotspot for up to two devices, including the iPod.

The device does not transform the iPod into an iPhone, or any other kind of phone. rather, it carries only data that can be fed to the iPod or devices such as a laptop computer, a netbook or a camera.

Still, jury-rigging a Peel and an iPod into a phone is possible — if a tad clunky. A Sprint spokeswoman said the iPod and Peel could use Skype or some other voice-over-Internet-protocol to make calls. But an external microphone would be necessary.

Sprint said the iPod add-on will sell for $80. Monthly service on Sprint’s 3G network runs $30 for up to 1 gigabyte of data. Customers who exceed the 1 GB limit would be charged an additional 5 cents per megabyte of data. No contract is required.

The Peel does not tap into Sprint’s far faster 4G, or fourth-generation, WiMax network. Sprint would not say if there were plans for a 4G version of the Peel.

While the iPod and the Peel can be snapped together, they would function separately. in fact, the Peel would be able to deliver a WiFi signal to the iPod from up to 20 feet away. Neither device charges the other, and Sprint says the Peel’s battery life is about three hours.