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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

A walk down memory lane and over 80 mobile devices

I was working on some reviews this weekend and took a look at all of the devices in my current collection and started reflecting back on my mobile device history. Mickey recently asked me about my PDA/phone history on TCPJ Unlocked Show #004 and I thought a few of you may be interested in seeing what devices I have owned over the years. The list I put together shows 84 mobile devices (PDAs and phones) and I think I was able to recall all of them.

September 29, 2008 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

MobileTechRoundup show #148, T-Mobile G1 Android announcement and discussion

We had a list of several topics for consideration in our latest show, but with the big news of the T-Mobile G1 Android release it was tough not to spend most of MobileTechRoundup show #148 discussing the release. James, Kevin, and I each gave our take on the device and why James and I have both already ordered one. We spent a couple minutes talking about the incredible Celio REDFLY $199 deal that is going on. Kevin also stated why he thinks now is a good time for Apple to enter the netbook market, what do you think?

September 28, 2008 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

Microsoft deep sixes Deepfish mobile browser

I just wrote about web browser alternatives for Windows Mobile devices and then I read over at Pocket PC Thoughts that the Microsoft Deepfish web browser preview project has been cancelled. You can read all about it on the Deepfish website. If you are using it on your device now be aware that the service will be discontinued on September 31, 2008. (Wait a second Microsoft, there are only 30 days in September so are you saying that Deepfish will never be discontinued now?)

September 26, 2008 by Matthew Miller in Enterprise Software

Windows Mobile browser news; Skyfire and Internet Explorer Mobile 6

I talked about the Skyfire browser back in January and tried it on a couple of devices over the last few months. I read on Brighthand that the private beta has been expanded to a public beta so that anyone can download and try it out. Simply visit the Skyfire site and sign up. What browser do you use with Windows Mobile?

September 25, 2008 by Matthew Miller in Enterprise Software

The QuickOffice full Office suite is coming to the Google Android platform

One of the primary concerns I mentioned in my T-Mobile G1 Android first impressions was the embracing of the Google Android platform by developers. The key to the success of the Android and the G1 is not the hardware, but the software and the developers need to be there to enhance the entire experience. I mentioned needing an Office Suite for enterprise users to even consider using an Android device and just received word from my QuickOffice contact that they have been working on an Android-compatible product that is in the advanced stages of development and sent me an official statement.

September 24, 2008 by Matthew Miller in Developer

T-Mobile G1: Where the heck is the Google Reader app and more hands-on impressions & photos

As a long time T-Mobile customer and gadget geek I was so excited about the Google Android device that I flew out to NY from Seattle for the launch event for just 1 day. I wrote up some coverage during the event and then spent almost 2 hours playing with the T-Mobile G1 device. I have to say that the press event was a bit underwhelming and a bit disappointing when you compare it to Nokia and Apple press events I have been, primarily due to the short statements and limited content. However, they did an excellent job in providing a LOT of devices for us to play with and no one had to leave without getting as much hands-on time as they wanted.

September 23, 2008 by Matthew Miller in Hardware

Live coverage of the T-Mobile G-1 Google Android announcement

I spent the last few years flying all over the place and have lots of airline miles so I decided to go a bit crazy and fly out to New York for the day to cover the T-Mobile Google Android announcement taking place here this morning. I plan to post updates to this post throughout the event (assuming I can get connectivity) and afterwards as I hope to get some hands-on time with the device.

September 23, 2008 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

Review: The Nokia E71 is a tough device to beat

It has been over 2 months since I wrote up my first impressions of the Nokia E71. At that time I was getting flooded with review and purchased devices such as the Palm Treo Pro, Samsung OMNIA, Touch Diamond, Treo 800w, MWg Zinc II, iPhone 3G and loads of applications with iPhone 2.0, Touch Diamond updates, and the iPAQ 910. Most of those devices are gone now, but the one that keeps earning the honor of carrying my AT&T SIM card is the Nokia E71. The fantastic hardware, valuable notifications on the standby screen, outstanding 3rd party application support, and form factor keep it in my pocket most of the time.

September 22, 2008 by Matthew Miller in Developer

A first look at the BlackBerry Javelin appears and is dubbed a Curve on steroids

My T-Mobile SIM is living in my BlackBerry Curve and it is tough to get away from the excellent QWERTY keyboard and support for 3rd party applications (TwitterBerry, Facebook, Windows Live Messenger, Gmail) and email that I find quite valuable. We have seen rumors, news, and photos of the BlackBerry Bold and Storm and I have to admit I was a bit confused about whether the Javelin was just another name for the Bold since they look very similar in photos and I didn't dive into the details. CrackBerry posted a detailed first look at the Javelin and starts off with some Javelin history that I found particularly helpful.

September 22, 2008 by Matthew Miller in BlackBerry

Is the HTC Dream Google Android device targeted to feature phone users?

Sascha Segan posted a new article today detailing some very interesting thoughts on the HTC manufactured Dream Android device that is being announced tomorrow by T-Mobile in New York. He discusses something that James, Kevin, and I talked about on MobileTechRoundup show #142 where the lines are blurred between smartphones and feature phones and Sascha stated that there will no longer be a label of "feature phones" in the future and phones will just be considered to have lower end and higher end operating systems. Once LG and Samsung come to market with their Android devices in 2009, then we will see if Android is the real deal.

September 21, 2008 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

Apple files notification screen patent, is this really that unique?

One aspect of the Apple iPhone that I can't stand is the lack of quickly viewable notifications and I am actually very surprised that Apple doesn't have a better system in place on the device. Then again, I think the notification system for most mobile operating systems can be improved. On the iPhone, the notifications appear for a few seconds and then disappear. You then see a notification indicator on the text messages, email, and phone icons, but you have to go into each application and sometimes you may not even have that application on the visible "home screen". According to MacRumors Apple has filed a patent application for a cool new notification screen. It is a bit strange that a patent would be needed for something like this that even basic feature phones already use in some manner.

September 19, 2008 by Matthew Miller in Hardware

Video of HTC Touch HD appears, good reviews of HTC Touch Pro and Diamond

At the beginning of this week HTC announced three new Touch Windows Mobile devices. There is now a video of the HTC Touch HD up on YouTube, inserted below, that shows it in action in comparison to the Samsung OMNIA and iPhone 3G. As pointed out by Ryan Block on the latest episode of the GDGT podcast, the dimensions of the HTC Touch HD are EXACTLY the same as the iPhone 3G and this can't just be a coincidence.

September 19, 2008 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

Nokia E72 and E75 revealed on YouTube, E72 has unique slide-out QWERTY

I usually have a pretty good idea of the rumors surrounding mobile devices, but I was caught completely by surprise with the news of the Nokia E72 and E75 that was posted over at Symbian Freak today. The E72 is the first Nokia device to have a slide-out QWERTY keyboard much like several Windows Mobile devices (Touch Pro, HTC Vox, and new HTC S740) while the E75 looks like an upgrade to the E71.

September 19, 2008 by Matthew Miller in Social Enterprise

Palm posts Q1 FY09 financial results, slightly better than last quarter

Palm just posted their Q1 FY09 results on their investor relations site and they continue to experience challenges in the mobile space. TreoCentral has a post comparing the numbers from last quarter and they show that the loss was less and the revenue more this quarter so there is a slight positive sign there. Palm is hosting a conference call on the results and will probably talk about the continued success of the Centro and the newly released Treo 800w that should be coming soon to Verizon.

September 18, 2008 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

Nokia launches unique Nokia Legends advertising campaign

While it remains to be seen whether or not the Seinfeld/Gates Microsoft ads are effective, funny, or stupid, mobile phone companies are getting quite creative with their advertising and I have to say I am liking what I am seeing. Sony Ericsson kicked off their recent Johnny X video promotion for the SE XPERIA X1 launch. Today we see the launch of the new Nokia Legends campaign that I personally think is very cool.

September 18, 2008 by Matthew Miller in Microsoft