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The Mobile Gadgeteer

Matthew Miller provides you with news, commentary and in-depth reviews of the latest in mobile gadgetry such as tablets, cutting edge smartphones, and portable gaming.

Matthew Miller

Matthew Miller started using mobile devices in 1997 and has been writing news, reviews, and opinion pieces ever since. Matthew started using mobile devices with a US Robotics Pilot 1000 and has owned hundreds of devices running Palm, Linux, Symbian, Newton, BlackBerry, iOS, Android, webOS, Windows Mobile, and Windows Phone operating systems. His current collection includes the latest and greatest foldables, wearables, and more, along with classic devices like the Apple Newton MessagePad 2100 and Sony CLIE UX50. Matthew can be found on various social networks under the user name of "palmsolo."

Latest Posts

What kind of choices do you have if you don't want an iPhone?

What kind of choices do you have if you don't want an iPhone?

I've been writing about the iPhone for a couple of weeks like every other mobile blogger and have been bouncing back and forth on whether or not I was going to purchase it. After the internal AT&T document confirmed that I could swap the SIM card into other devices I decided to go for it and am now the first in line at my local AT&T store so I am assured of getting two tomorrow (my oldest teenage daughter is hanging with me tonight). However, there are many other very good alternatives for those of you who don't want to extend your AT&T contract or switch to AT&T and want to stick with your current provider. Actually, most of these alternatives have more phone functionality than the iPhone and are probably better choices for many people.

June 28, 2007 by in Mobility

You can use the iPhone SIM and wireless data in other AT&T and unlocked phones

You can use the iPhone SIM and wireless data in other AT&T and unlocked phones

I asked the question about the swappability of the AT&T iPhone SIM and haven't seen the answer anywhere, until now. I just read through the Iphone Launch Guide found on The Boy Genius Report and on page 31 of 65 it states that MEdiaNet will be used to access the internet if a customer takes out the iPhone SIM and puts it into another AT&T device. That does it, I will now finalize my purchase strategy and get in line with all the other iPhone fans to try to secure a device tomorrow. As a reviewer, I need the flexibility to swap my SIM into unlocked devices and now that I know this is possible the risk associated with the iPhone is significantly reduced for me. I know that many other features found on other devices are missing from the iPhone, but I want to at least try the experience out for 14 days and if it turns out I like it then I can switch at least my wireless data access to AT&T and sell the iPhone.

June 28, 2007 by in Mobility

The T-Mobile Wing's predictive text functionality beats the iPhone's technology

The T-Mobile Wing's predictive text functionality beats the iPhone's technology

My first converged device was the MDA II Pocket PC Phone Edition that convinced me a device with integrated mobile phone functionality was the way to go. I then moved through a MDA II, i-mate JAM, MDA III, and HTC Wizard (aka T-Mobile MDA). However, several months ago I switched from these Phone Edition devices to a Windows Mobile Smartphone, the T-Mobile Dash, due to the well integrated QWERTY keyboard and improved operating system. The Windows Mobile Smartphone is still a bit limited in applications and functionality though so I have been checking out alternatives back in the Phone Edition arena. I did evaluate the HTC TyTN last year, but US$700 was a bit too rich for my gadget fund. I almost went back to the T-Mobile MDA for about US$250 when I found out the upgraded model was coming and was able to get my hands for a while on an evaluation unit of the T-Mobile Wing. As you can read in the full review, while the Wing may not have the cool iPhone UI it is able to do more and has AMAZING predictive text functionality that beats Apple's simple word correction mechanism.

June 27, 2007 by in Mobility

First Look: TalkPlus Mobile S60 client

First Look: TalkPlus Mobile S60 client

There are some very good Voice 2.0 services available to help you be more productive and efficient in your work and one company that I chatted with back at CES in January is TalkPlus. I tried out their TalkPlus Mobile service late last fall and in the winter, primarily using their Java client on my T-Mobile Dash. TalkPlus also offers a long distance calling service with 4 options for those with and without a PC to make calls. TalkPlus Mobile's Java applciation was a good solution, but Java is not as integrated in Windows Mobile (actually it is a separate 3rd party application) so the interface and experience wasn't that great. I was sent some information from Andy Abramson on a new Nokia S60 application that allows you to use TalkPlus on supported 3rd Edition devices.

June 25, 2007 by in Microsoft

Nokia Eseries devices are widely available in the U.S.

Nokia Eseries devices are widely available in the U.S.

I purchased a Nokia E61 to replace my Treo 650 from a US importer last year and have since upgraded to a Nokia E61i, again via a US importer. Nokia posted a press release announcing that Nokia E-series, these are the enterprise focused devices like the E61i, are broadly available in the United States. The release is primarily an educational announcement to spread the word about various outlets where you can get a Nokia E61i, E65, or other Eseries model. There are more than 140 value-added resellers (VARs) in the Nokia for Business Channel Program, including Dell.com, Gateway, and Mobile Planet. I personally have purchased my Eseries devices from PhoneSource USA and have been extremely pleased with their services. IMHO, the E61i is a great deal at around US$400 for a SIM unlocked device that requires no contract extension or minimal service obligation.

June 25, 2007 by in Microsoft

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