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Smartphones and Cell Phones

Matthew Miller provides you with news, commentary and in-depth reviews of the latest in mobile phones sporting iOS, Android, and Windows.

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

Will Apple allow one or two 3rd party apps to run in the background?

As we approach the June WWDC event and the expectation that Apple will roll out iPhone OS 3.0 along with some possible new hardware, the rumors of what else may be in the OS update heat up. The latest speculation is that Apple will allow one or two 3rd party apps to run in the background. Currently, Apple lets you run the iPod music functions in the background, but no 3rd party apps have this capability. The servers side notification support coming in iPhone 3.0 may address the needs for some apps, such as IM apps, but there are still some others that would benefit from running in the background on the iPhone.

May 15, 2009 by Matthew Miller in Developer

MobileTechRoundup show #171; MiFi, Sidekick, E71x, DX, and more

James kicked off MobileTechRoundup show #171 by talking about an accessory that is hot news this week and that is the Verizon Wireless MiFi EVDO router that makes it quick and easy to get up to 5 devices connected to Verizon's high speed data network. I then talked about the Sidekick LX 2009 and Nokia E71x when Kevin chimed in about SlingPlayer Mobile for the iPhone. Cupcake is rolling out to Android owners. All three of us closed the show by throwing out our thoughts on the Amazon Kindle DX.

May 15, 2009 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

For less than $100 do you get a new Samsung Jack or Nokia E71x on AT&T?

The Samsung BlackJack II is a fantastic Windows Mobile smartphone and has regularly ranked right up there as one of the best smartphones available. Today Samsung announced the successor, the Samsung Jack i637 that will be coming to AT&T next Tuesday, 19 May for a reportedly low $99.99 (after rebate and a contract). I just picked up a Nokia E71x and am now seriously considering a return to pick up the Jack instead. The Jack runs Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard, but Samsung stated it will be upgradeable to WM 6.5 this Fall too.

May 14, 2009 by Matthew Miller in Microsoft

Is imeem Mobile better than Pandora or Last.fm on the iPhone?

One of the most popular types of applications on the iPhone is the streaming audio player. Pandora has been at the top of the App Store before and looks to be the one to beat. The service I use and enjoy on my T-Mobile G1 is imeem Mobile and I was pleased to see it released for the iPhone. imeem Mobile for the iPhone is available now on iTunes (iTunes link) for free.

May 13, 2009 by Matthew Miller in iPhone

Second look: A 40-year old's usage experiences with the Sidekick LX 2009

Just over a week ago I posted a few thoughts on what my oldest daughter's first impressions were of the T-Mobile Sidekick LX 2009. I let her use it for a couple more days and then I tried it out for the last 4 days or so. As I stated before, my first converged device was the original Sidekick, but things have changed significantly in the mobile phone market and I personally could never go back to such a large Sidekick device. The Sidekick LX 2009 is definitely the BEST Sidekick ever and I think it does a good job of serving as the transition device to move Sidekick teens from this device onto full smartphone devices like the T-Mobile G1, Palm Pre, or Apple iPhone.

May 13, 2009 by Matthew Miller in Collaboration

Review: BlackBerry Premium Multimedia Headset

When you think of RIM products you think of their BlackBerry phones. While at CTIA a couple of months ago, I learned that there are also several BlackBerry branded accessories designed to work with your RIM BlackBerry devices. I had the chance to chat with a product manager for a few audio accessories and am really looking forward to seeing the BlackBerry Bluetooth Visor Mount Speakerphone. In the meantime, I was sent a BlackBerry Premium Multimedia Headset to test out with a Curve 8900. This headset allows you to both listen to tunes and hold calls with your BlackBerry.

May 12, 2009 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

SlingPlayer Mobile comes to iPhone for $30, WiFi only

SlingPlayer Mobile always seemed like a perfect fit for the iPhone and it's large display. We have been waiting patiently for it to arrive with it looking less and less likely after rumors of AT&T and/or Apple preventing its release. According to Dave Zatz, SlingPlayer for iPhone is real and should be up and ready for you to buy starting tomorrow for $29.99. You will not be able to use it with your AT&T 3G network though as the application is limited to WiFi connections only.

May 12, 2009 by Matthew Miller in iPhone

Amazon launches iPhone-optimized Kindle storefront

The iPhone Kindle application is a great way to keep reading your Kindle content while out and about when your Kindle is back at home. One big complaint people have had though is the difficult way to purchase Kindle content to read on the iPhone if you do not own a Kindle. You could use the Amazon website, but it was clunky on the iPhone. Amazon announced the launch of an iPhone-optimized Kindle site that makes it much easier to find and purchase Kindle content on the iPhone. Simply tap the Get Books icon in the Kindle for iPhone application to access the new iPhone-optimized store.

May 11, 2009 by Matthew Miller in Developer

Mobile software Monday: Evernote comes to the BlackBerry platform

One of my favorite mobile apps/services is Evernote because it works across multiple mobile devices with native clients (iPhone and Windows Mobile) and via email while also working on PC and Mac computers. The folks at Evernote have stated they are working on clients for more mobile platforms and the next version is now ready for RIM BlackBerry owners. I've spent a few days using the latest BlackBerry client and you can check out some screenshots of it in action in my image gallery.

May 11, 2009 by Matthew Miller in Hardware

Official Microsoft Facebook app for WM provides video uploads

Facebook seems to be getting more and more popular as "regular" people start to embrace and use it. I know in my group of family and friends I am seeing adoption of Facebook by my church, soccer parents, family members, and more at a rate I haven't seen before. There are several mobile clients out there for various platforms and for Windows Mobile I have been using FriendMobilizer on my Treo Pro. Microsoft just release their official Facebook application that can be downloaded now for free from www.windowsmobile.com/facebook or directly from your mobile browser at mobile.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/downloads/facebook.mspx.

May 7, 2009 by Matthew Miller in Hardware

It's official; T-Mobile G1 Android 1.5 update coming next week

I jumped the gun and believed a few other sites when I reported that the T-Mobile G1 1.5 update was rolling out to US owners. I then did a bit more digging and found out that the update wasn't actually rolling. I am happy to now report I received the official message from T-Mobile USA and T-Mobile G1 customers can expect the Android 1.5 update to start rolling out over the air at the end of next week with all customers receiving it by the end of May.

May 6, 2009 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

The AT&T Nokia E71x is actually a great buy at $99.99

I admit that my post yesterday on the AT&T E71x may have sounded a bit harsh, but the overabundance of non-removable trial games and apps on the default menu screen and some other missing functions ticked me off. After calming down a bit (I did pay AT&T $340 for the phone) and diving into the E71x I now have it doing about 90% of what the SIM unlocked E71 NAM can do and it looks like I will be keeping the device. In looking at the available messaging-focused devices at the AT&T store the E71x is one of the best devices available for less than $100 (the refurb BlackJack II and BB Curve are also nice devices) and if you stay tuned to my Nokia Experts site you will find lots of ways to make your E71x even better.

May 6, 2009 by Matthew Miller in Hardware

Looks like AT&T neutered another Nokia device

I was all excited about seeing another Nokia S60 device on a US carrier, but I guess I shouldn't have been so hopeful after AT&T took the WiFi out of the last Nokia E61 device. I went into all of the details on what is missing from the Nokia E71x on my Nokia Experts site and as you can see there is little value in buying the E71x compared to the outstanding Nokia E71 NAM unlocked model. For someone like me who doesn't have an upgrade available the E71x is $300, which is about the same price as a fully unlocked and functional Nokia E71.

May 4, 2009 by Matthew Miller in Microsoft

Nokia E71x now available at AT&T for just $100

It seems the previous info I received about the Nokia E71x coming to AT&T on 4 May was accurate as Nokia officially announced the availability for today. I personally plan to swing by my local AT&T store to pick one up for myself because I think the E71 is a fantastic device and I want to support Nokia selling devices here in the US with my dollars. If you are eligible you can pick one up for just $100 after rebate, but since I upgraded just about 8 months ago I will probably pay the full price of $300. I think that is still a great price for a device with 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS in such an amazingly compact form factor.

May 4, 2009 by Matthew Miller in Hardware

AT&T announces Curve 8900 for early Summer

Back in January I had the chance to try out the T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8900 and actually bought one for myself and kept it for a couple weeks. If I didn't switch phones so much I would have kept the 8900 because I think it is one of the best overall BlackBerry devices available. It is more compact than the Bold, yet still has a very functional keyboard and incredible display. Today, AT&T announced that they will be bringing the Curve 8900 to AT&T soon.

May 4, 2009 by Matthew Miller in Mobility