The summer swim season is almost upon us in the northern half of the globe, meaning the swimsuit sales have already begun. Why go retail when you can print a bikini? That’s the idea behind Continuum Fashion’s N12 bikini, which uses a new solid Nylon. Read More »
Bio:After spending 15 years in IT at Fortune 100 companies, Kevin turned a hobby into a career and began covering mobile technology in 2003. He writes daily on the industry and has co-hosted the weekly MobileTechRoundup podcast since 2006. His writing has appeared in print (The New York Times, PC Magazine and PC World) and he has been featured on NBC News in Philadelphia.
Kevin’s unique approach is to use the technology as a consumer would, so that he can report back to readers honestly about what they can expect from a device or app and help them get the most out of it. Freescale has named Kevin a “Top 20 Smart Mobile Device Pundit.” When not playing with the latest gadget, Kevin is typically spending time with his family, reading e-books or running in the rural areas near his home office in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Latest Tweets
- @m4tt Since you asked: http://t.co/KXilPepd ;)
- @Matt_Gerlach I hear you. GNex / Razr were last top ends IMO and very limited WP choices. Next Incredible worth a look.
- @VZWSupport doubtful: I review phones for a living. ;) @Matt_Gerlach
My Focus
Mobile technology
Netbooks
Smartphones
Wireless broadband
Recent Posts
Flipboard has long been a showcase app for iOS. When Samsung introduced its new Galaxy S III, however, it said that Flipboard would debut on the handset as an Android exclusive. It didn’t take long for the installation file to appear on the web. Read More »
Sprint will launch the HTC EVO 4G LTE handset on May 18, adding another 4G smartphone that will only run on Sprint’s 3G network until the carrier launches LTE in the next few months. Similar to other HTC One handsets, the EVO 4G LTE should impress. Read More »
Google’s open approach to Android has certainly helped build the platform’s user base: Android powers more than half of the world’s smartphones. But how much further can this strategy take Google when the “Wild West show” continues and carriers exacerbate the problem? It’s time for change. Read More »
Just as the older members of my family are finally getting used to Skype and FaceTime, along comes a 3-D hologram concept project! Dubbed the TeleHuman, the system uses six Microsoft Kinect sensors and a 3-D projector inside a 1.8 meter tall acrylic cylinder. Read More »
Apple devices have enjoyed wireless music playback through AirPlay speakers, but Windows users generally have been left out in the cold, until now. Aperion’s Aris wireless speaker lets Windows 7 and Windows 8 Consumer Preview computers pipe tunes wirelessly using Microsoft’s “Play To” feature. Read More »
Wireless charging sounds great: Drop your gadget on a little mat, which itself is plugged into an outlet, and your phone or MP3 player sits there and charges away. But the industry can’t agree on standards, and on Monday a new wireless charging group was formed. Read More »
More Must Reads
The ubiquitous Wi-Fi standard officially improved on Monday, with the IEEE publishing its fourth revision to 802.11. The updates include faster throughput, improved cellular hand-offs, and communication between vehicles in addition to other improvements. One marketable standard could help with consumer education and purchase decisions. Read More »
Verizon announced its latest Android smartphone: it will offer the HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE in the coming weeks. This is Verizon’s 23rd LTE smartphone and appears to be a blend of the HTC One S and One X found on T-Mobile and AT&T. Read More »
AT&T introduced its third Microsoft Windows Phone handset with LTE: The Samsung Focus 2 launches on May 20 for $49 with new two-year contract, which is priced lower than the $99 Lumia 900 and $199 HTC Titan II. At this price, the specifications aren’t shabby. Read More »
On this week’s audio podcast, Matt and Kevin share hands on experiences with the HTC One X, which may be the best Android device for AT&T right now. Plus discussion and thoughts about the Galaxy S III, BB 10, and your listener questions answered. Read More »
If you’re an Android user looking for new hardware, this was a good week for you. Both HTC’s One X for AT&T and Samsung’s Galaxy S III arrived. Interestingly, one of the two phones has generated much positive feedback while the other seems to impress fewer. Read More »
One of the new software features on Samsung’s Galaxy S III smartphone is called Pop Up Play; it allows you to watch a video while multitasking on the phone. For a $1.49 in the Google Play store, your Android phone or tablet can do the same. Read More »
Samsung introduced the world to the new Galaxy S III on Thursday, showing off what some may find to be incremental hardware upgrades over the prior Galaxy model. But Samsung spent even more time highlighting the phone’s new software features. Here’s a peek at some. Read More »
What features might your next smartphone have? When you consider new mobile chips, graphics processors, 4G networks, sensors and more, the sky’s the limit. Here’s an overview what you can expect to see in the smartphones of tomorrow, which will top 1 billion sales by 2015. Read More »
Samsung launched the Galaxy S III, its latest Google Android smartphone, at a UK press event on Thursday. The handset offers some expected incremental hardware feature upgrades over its predecessor but the main improvements are seen through software and user interaction, including S-Voice, a Siri-like feature. Read More »
Later today, Samsung is holding a press event in the UK to introduce “The Next Galaxy.” It’s a safe bet that this will be the official introduction to Samsung’s Galaxy S III; here’s what to expect from Samsung and its new Galaxy S addition. Read More »
If “Judgement Day” ever arrives and Terminator robots take over the world, at least we’ll eat well. Herb, the Home Exploring Robot Butler, is a Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute project that has both the sensors and the smarts to microwave a meal autonomously. Read More »
You won’t be replacing batteries on Logitech’s newest iPad keyboard case. As its name implies, the $129.99 Solar Keyboard Folio uses light — either indoors or out — to maintain its battery life, which is two years on a single charge, claims Logitech. Read More »
Only 20 percent of smartphones sold last year had dual-core chips, but among those, Samsung sold the lion’s share: 60 percent of all dual core smartphones sold in 2011 had a Samsung processor. Who’s poised best to challenge in 2012? Only one company for now. Read More »
Research In Motion continued to outline its BlackBerry 10 strategy at its annual developer event, saying customers will need to buy new phones for the BB 10 experience as the company confirmed it won’t be upgrading any BlackBerry 7 phones to the new operating system. Read More »
Nokia filed claims against HTC, Research In Motion and Viewsonic in both the U.S. and Germany, saying that 45 Nokia patents were infringed. Why are the mobile patent wars raging? Major innovation is slowing down in this market; now the battles are in the courts. Read More »
AT&T’s newest LTE phone, the HTC One X, is due to hit stores May 6 for $199. The phone is similar to T-Mobile’s One S, but has a larger screen Super LCD screen. Here are my first impressions after a day with the new handset. Read More »
Own a Galaxy Nexus, iPhone or other GSM handset? If so and you’re tired of the cost and long-term contract, Straight Talk’s SIM card may be an option. The no-contract deal is $45 for unlimited voice minutes, messages and HSPA+ data on either AT&T or T-Mobile. Read More »
Research In Motion is showing off its BlackBerry 10 platform; perhaps the company’s last chance for success in the mobile market. The interface looks impressive, but there are still many hurdles to be cleared as pointed out on Twitter by those watching the demos. Read More »
Before Barnes & Noble debuted the Nook with GlowLight last week, I had already bought a Kindle Touch even though it didn’t work in the dark. Now it does, thanks to the Amazon Kindle Touch lighted case. Does this solution work for e-ink? See for yourself. Read More »
LG is reportedly focused on Google Android smartphones and not new Microsoft Windows Phone handsets. LG only built two Windows Phones in 2010 and none in 2011 even though it has kind words for the platform. Unfortunately for Microsoft, actions speak louder than words. Read More »
Although Microsoft invested $300 million in a Barnes & Noble spin-off on Monday, this isn’t the first time Microsoft played the e-book game. Typical for the company, it often has great ideas, but it errs on the timing: Microsoft debuted e-book software back in 2000! Read More »
Microsoft’s Research division is testing home automation market software it developed that makes it easy for devices to speak to each other. This HomeOS platform can help demystify smart home systems with numerous protocols. Plus it works nicely on smartphones for remote control and monitoring. Read More »
Matt and Kevin share hands on thoughts this week of the Toshiba excite10 LE tablet, HTC Titan II smartphone and Kindle Touch case with integrated light. Plus some discussion on the new $399 Galaxy Nexus that Google is selling directly to consumers. Read More »
Next week’s talk of the Android world is likely to be Samsung’s new Galaxy S III, but this week was about a $399 Galaxy Nexus. Microsoft’s Metro UI could be a future thorn in Android’s side, but for now, Amazon’s Kindle Fire is the pain point. Read More »
If a smartphone or tablet with glass that’s glare-free, repels liquids and is self-cleaning sounds appealing, you might want to start following MIT’s research. By adding layers on glass that are then selectively removed, microscopic cones are created and provide these desirable characteristics. Read More »
Microsoft’s effort to merge the Windows Phone look and feel with Windows 8 will pay off in the form of causing Google Android to “fade away” says a mobile market watcher. That’s possible because Microsoft — and Apple, as well — have something that Google doesn’t. Read More »
Skype may be blocked for use by a wireless provider in the very country one of Skype’s founders, Niklas Zennström, is from. Sweden’s Telia is reportedly considering a block on Skype’s mobile video and VoIP services later this year unless customers pay an additional usage charge. Read More »
Apple’s iPad still dominates the tablet market, but that alone shouldn’t be scaring PC and tablet manufacturers. Instead, the statistic that for one in four people buying iPads, it’s their very first Apple product is more concerning; it could lead to other Apple hardware sales. Read More »
ZTE and HTC are both reportedly planning large smartphones that double as small tablets, with at least one of the two expected to include a stylus with the device. The idea is to compete against Samsung’s Galaxy Note, a 5.3-inch Android smartphone with digital pen. Read More »
Samsung introduced its next generation mobile chip, the Exynos 4 Quad, on Thursday, with claims of twice the processing power with a 20 percent reduction in power use. The company will use the new processor in its next Galaxy phone, debuting in a few weeks. Read More »
There are no lack of Bluetooth keyboards for the iPad, but the newest one Kickstarter is impressive. Called Brydge, the wireless keyboard makes the iPad look like a MacBook Air. Backing starts at $150 and for $30 more you can get a Brydge with integrated speakers. Read More »
Apple hasn’t confirmed an LTE version of its iPhone, but Sprint has confirmed that if such a device launches, the carrier would keep its unlimited data plans. That may be a big differentiating factor when at least 3 of 4 U.S. carriers offer LTE iPhones. Read More »
Two hints from earlier this week tipped us off and now a picture of Samsung’s Galaxy Note with T-Mobile branding confirms the rumor. There’s no official word from T-Mobile, but it’s a safe bet T-Mobile customers will get their own version of Samsung’s 5.3-inch Android smartphone. Read More »
“The x86 power myth is finally busted. While the X900 doesn’t lead in battery life, it’s competitive with the Galaxy S 2 and Galaxy Nexus… …If you’ve been expecting the first x86 smartphone to end up at the bottom of every battery life chart, you’ll be … Read More »
Taiwan-based handset maker HTC suggests that its highly profitable days in the U.S. smartphone market are in the past, mainly due to Apple’s iPhone. The HTC One series may help sales in the U.S. but like Apple, HTC is turning to China for future growth. Read More »
For developers, consumers and even carriers, Android seems irreparably broken. But Google’s not likely to “fix” Android anytime soon, because despite the fragmentation problem, the company is getting what it wants: massive amounts of user data.
The Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight, now available for $139, has one key update over prior models: With built in LED lighting, you can read your e-Ink content in the dark. Here’s a review roundup along with a lighting suggesting for Kindle Touch … Read More »
Facebook may not have a phone of its own (yet), but it continues to improve its mobile clients: On Tuesday, the company outlined updates coming soon for the Windows Phone version of Facebook. The refreshed software will add threaded messaging, tagging and other features. Read More »
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