Matthew Miller

Contributor

Matthew Miller started using mobile devices in 1997 and has been writing news, reviews, and opinion pieces ever since. He was a co-host, with Kevin Tofel, of the MobileTechRoundup podcast for 13 years and authored three Wiley Companion seri…es books. Matthew started using mobile devices with a US Robotics Pilot 1000 and has owned more than 200 different devices running Palm, Linux, Symbian, Newton, BlackBerry, iOS, Android, webOS, Windows Mobile, and Windows Phone operating systems. His current collection includes a Google Pixel 4, Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus, LG V60 ThinQ, Google Pixelbook Go, Microsoft Surface Pro 6, and many more, along with plenty of wearables, accessories, and classic devices like the Apple Newton MessagePad 2100 and Sony CLIE UX50. Matthew can be found on various discussion forums under the user name of "palmsolo".

Matthew is a professional naval architect by day and a mobile gadgeteer at all other times. He purchases his own devices and then sells them on Swappa to buy more. Many other devices are sent for review on a typical 30-day or long-term loan basis and then returned to the carrier or manufacturer.

Latest from Matthew Miller

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Does MobileMe's Find My iPhone lead to potential bodily harm?

Does MobileMe's Find My iPhone lead to potential bodily harm?

I am not a MobileMe subscriber because I found I never used it when I did subscribe back when it launched. If you have an iPhone there is a new service called Find My iPhone that provides you with ways to track a lost iPhone. I just read this real-life story of how a lost iPhone was recovered, but do not recommend people take this much direct action to recover a lost iPhone. Remember, it is just a phone and can be replaced and even wiped clean too.

June 22, 2009 by in Telcos

Image Gallery: First thoughts on the T-Mobile Samsung Memoir 8 megpixel camera phone

Image Gallery: First thoughts on the T-Mobile Samsung Memoir 8 megpixel camera phone

Manufacturers are continuing to improve the capabilities and functionality of feature phones and smartphones. Samsung and T-Mobile released the 8 megapixel Memoir that brings a powerful camera to T-Mobile. This high end feature phone supports T-Mobile's 3G network, captures still photos with the Xenon flash, and functions fluidly with the touchscreen display and TouchWiz interface

February 24, 2009 by in Telcos

Cubic Telecom announces a truly world phone

Cubic Telecom announces a truly world phone

The TechCrunch40 conference took place the last couple of days and there was one company in particular that mobile enthusiasts may be interested in. Cubic Telecom announced the launch of the first "truly global" mobile phone. According to details of the new service posted on The Register, Cubic plans to have a basic phone (EUR 99.95) and a Windows Mobile version (EUR 159.95) available on 1 October. You can also just purchase MAXroam SIM card (EUR 29.99) that can be used in any unlocked GSM phone. As a result of negotiations with GSM carriers all over the world you will be able to create up to 50 permanent local phone numbers for your SIM and place calls at low per-minute rates.

September 19, 2007 by in Telcos

Mobile phones were not a big part of CES 2008

Mobile phones were not a big part of CES 2008

I spend a lot of time writing about mobile phones on this blog and was hoping to see something new, unique, or amazing at CES in this area. Unfortunately, CES 2008 was not the year of the mobile phone with nothing major announced IMHO. Back at CES 2006, Windows Mobile 5.0 was announced, but I think with the way the internet is so much a part of our lives today companies no longer have to wait for major shows like CES to announce products. There was quite a bit of news in the ultra portable/UMPC market that I'll talk about in another blog post with an image gallery.

January 9, 2008 by in Telcos

MWC08: Nokia announces four new S60 mobile devices

MWC08: Nokia announces four new S60 mobile devices

We were expecting some device announcements at Mobile World Congress from Nokia and the did not disappoint with the announcement of 4 new devices. They announced the Nokia 6220 Classic, 6210 Navigator, N78, and N96. I had the opportunity to meet with various product managers to talk about the devices and also took several pictures and some video that will be posted later when I get some time away from the show floor.

February 12, 2008 by in Telcos

Sprint's new $99.99 unlimited plan takes the lead with unlimited EVERYTHING

Sprint's new $99.99 unlimited plan takes the lead with unlimited EVERYTHING

All the major carriers are going to these new "unlimited" plans and prior to today T-Mobile was the leader in value since they included unlimited messaging with their unlimited calling plans. Sprint just joined the fray and is now the value leader with their US$99.99 Simply Everything plan that includes unlimited calling, unlimited text messaging, unlimited GPS navigation, unlimited Sprint TV, unlimited Sprint Music, and unlimited data. It is easy, EVERYTHING is unlimited with Sprint's new plan that will be available tomorrow for new and existing customers.

February 28, 2008 by in Telcos

Image Gallery: Sprint Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot

Image Gallery: Sprint Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot

I recently purchased a Verizon Wireless MiFi and then saw that Sprint rolled out a 4G WiMAX network in my local area. I said I wanted a MiFi-like device to access this network and Sprint now has such a device available with their Overdrive device from Sierra Wireless. Sprint also lowered the price to $59.99 per month and if the 4G connection is not available you bounce back to a strong 3G connection. Observed download speeds were easily twice as fast as that seen on the Verizon Wireless MiFi so this looks to be the king of high speed wireless connectivity.

February 1, 2010 by in Telcos

Try out the latest and greatest phones virtually with TryPhone

Try out the latest and greatest phones virtually with TryPhone

I attempt to test and write reviews on this blog for as many devices as I can, but I do have a limited budget and available time so there are lots of devices I can't test out. You can view many reviews and videos of mobile devices on YouTube as well, which is a great help in giving you a feel for each device. Dave sent me some information on a new site that provides virtual devices for you to actually try out yourself, including hardware button presses and more. TryPhone currently has four models for you to try out online, the Apple iPhone, LG Muziq, Samsung Juke, and BlackBerry Pearl.

December 10, 2007 by in Telcos

MobileTechRoundup show #100, Passing the century mark

MobileTechRoundup show #100, Passing the century mark

Kevin, James and myself are happy to have reached the century milestone with MobileTechRoundup show #100 that was recorded while I was again on the road. We had lots to talk about on this show and chatted a bit about what mobile phones I took on the road, how James is liking the T-Mobile Dash keyboard, and what we think about the Windows Mobile Smartphone versus the Phone Edition models. Dell is coming out with their own Tablet PC and we are excited about the size and looks of the device. I checked out the HTC Vox, but didn't go ahead with the purchase this time. Fujitsu is showing off a cool new UMPC convertible that reminds us of the Sony Clie or Sharp Zaurus devices. Thanks to all the listeners for following the gang through 100 shows. Stay tuned for another 100.

June 4, 2007 by in Telcos

T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve supports HotSpot @Home

T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve supports HotSpot @Home

I tried out the T-Mobile HotSpot @Home service as a beta tester over a year ago and then gave the service a try when it rolled out in a limited capacity in Washington State. The service then rolled out nationwide in late June of this year and I was lucky enough to receive a free phone for being a long-time customer. However, it was a Samsung t409 feature phone and just didn't cut it when I am used to high-powered smartphones. I was resigned to wait until a more full featured phone with support for HotSpot @Home was released before even reconsidering the service.

September 22, 2007 by in Telcos