Gemini Cosmo - On Indiegogo

[vcoleiro1]

The Gemini PDA team have launched a new device called the Gemini Cosmo . It is now up on Indiegogo
It seems to be a big improvement over the Gemini PDA
6GB Ram, 128GB storage, Mediatek P70 SOC, Dual screens, backlit keyboard, uSD slot, 2 x USB C
Android 9 but can dual or even triple-boot with Linux and Sailfish OS

https://geminiplanet.com/planet-computers-announce-the-cosmo-communicator/

 

[ClockworkCoder]

Hmm... I'm not convinced that a second screen outside the clam-shell is a good idea.

 

[mrpalmtop]

I'm glad they're still going but this looks really ugly tbh.

It would've been much, much better to keep it single display that rotates around or is removable.

 

[vcoleiro1]

I think it looks awesome

@ClockworkCoder It's to to allow you to make calls and see notifications without having to open it

 

[ClockworkCoder]

I think it looks awesome

@ClockworkCoder It's to to allow you to make calls and see notifications without having to open it

Yes, I realise that, and understand that some people will love it. Personally I prefer a simple LED for notifications, and a headset for calls.

 

[mrpalmtop]

Yes, I realise that, and understand that some people will love it. Personally I prefer a simple LED for notifications, and a headset for calls.

If you use a smartwatch, you get the notifications and it also can keep the Gemini unlocked while you're nearby. Much more durable and cleaner looking than that button-riddled back cover they've come up with.

 

[ClockworkCoder]

If you use a smartwatch, you get the notifications and it also can keep the Gemini unlocked while you're nearby. Much more durable and cleaner looking than that button-riddled back cover they've come up with.

Agree their design is overcomplicated. I do feel that smart watches are also a product of what consumers are led to believe we _think_ we need. On my phone I can tell if there is an important message just from the colour of the LED, otherwise I can ignore it completely.

 

[pmprog]

Wow... How's the software side of the Gemini? Is it completely usable as a linux device now? or have they just abandoned that for their new device?

 

[NetBLOKS]

The design maybe ... unfortunate, but they fixed the two (for me) biggest flaws:
- Backlit keyboard
- better camera with flash (finally a phone light again!)

I also like the fingerprint sensor. Makes it easier to use.

I already backed it, since I am very happy with my Gemini except for the two point I mentioned.
Working in the dark is a mess.
My intern will get my Gemini.

Edit:
The design looks much better and sleeker on this picture:

 

[CommanderB]

It reminds me of the Nokia E90!

Overall the device looks much better than the gemini but I am again quite disappointed by the Mediatek CPU

Gesendet von meinem SM-N9005 mit Tapatalk

 

[kuru]

Outside screen is kewl. I loved that on my old Samsung flip phone.
Needs a flat top and an active digitizer though. I know, I say that about everything.
I miss using myPaint and Xournal on the n900.

 

[Askarus]

What I like is that they use a nice camera now.

Hopefully they will improve the keyboard.

 

[Xcl4m4t10n]

This is awesome.

And it's real.

 

[Grench]

What I like is that they use a nice camera now.

Hopefully they will improve the keyboard.

Other than needing a backlight, I don't think the Gemini keyboard really needed much in the way of improvement. The keyboard on my Gemini is pretty darn awesome. If anything, I hope they don't screw up the keyboard trying to improve it.

Now, there WERE some quality control issues on the first batch of Gemini that went out - stuck or misaligned keys, etc.
[doublepost=1541441667,1541441619][/doublepost]Oh, and I'm now a backer on this project too. Looking forward to it.
[doublepost=1541441832][/doublepost]

Wow... How's the software side of the Gemini? Is it completely usable as a linux device now? or have they just abandoned that for their new device?

State of Linux on Gemini:
https://www.oesf.org/forum/index.php?s=68e4c6dd68cdc1e0c2dbf97b9a08ccf9&showforum=194

If I can ever find time, I plan to switch mine over to Linux permanently.

 

[Askarus]

Other than needing a backlight, I don't think the Gemini keyboard really needed much in the way of improvement. The keyboard on my Gemini is pretty darn awesome. If anything, I hope they don't screw up the keyboard trying to improve it.

Now, there WERE some quality control issues on the first batch of Gemini that went out - stuck or misaligned keys, etc.

I did try it at the Gamescom.
I often pressed some keys but it did not get recognized.
If they are hit not in the center the keys won't count as pressed.
I even prefered the gpd win's keyboard because of that.
[doublepost=1541442611,1541442218][/doublepost]This one is really tempting.

My Smartphone will be pretty old at that time.
And the price is OK.

 

[levi]

State of Linux on Gemini:
https://www.oesf.org/forum/index.php?s=68e4c6dd68cdc1e0c2dbf97b9a08ccf9&showforum=194

If I can ever find time, I plan to switch mine over to Linux permanently.

After a few links from that URL I was able to find this: https://github.com/gemian/gemini-keyboard-apps/wiki/DebuggingMobile

Seems they're still a little short of volunteers to get all of the needed AT commands and stuff set up and tested.

OT this new cosmo device, it looks to my eye something of a brick when using it as a phone, but I guess with the size of modern fondleslabs that's less of a concern than it used to be. I wonder how usable it'll be compared to the old 9000 series communicators with the lid closed; at least the 9210 was running a full NOS interface on the front panel (two soft keys and a up/down scroller) although I can't remember if it came with Snake or not. I suspect on the Cosmo you'll need to open it up to send a text, but you can probably cue a phone or video call by swiping left and right to select the callee then using the rocker to dial it.

The igg page is already well over it's initial target of $200k although it looks like a good few people are paying well over the suggested odds for one of these; I reckon if everyone who's pledged thus far paid the suggested minimum, the total would be almost $117k or just shy of 60% of the required total instead of 175% pledged.

 

[NetBLOKS]

After a few links from that URL I was able to find this: https://github.com/gemian/gemini-keyboard-apps/wiki/DebuggingMobile

Seems they're still a little short of volunteers to get all of the needed AT commands and stuff set up and tested.

OT this new cosmo device, it looks to my eye something of a brick when using it as a phone, but I guess with the size of modern fondleslabs that's less of a concern than it used to be. I wonder how usable it'll be compared to the old 9000 series communicators with the lid closed; at least the 9210 was running a full NOS interface on the front panel (two soft keys and a up/down scroller) although I can't remember if it came with Snake or not. I suspect on the Cosmo you'll need to open it up to send a text, but you can probably cue a phone or video call by swiping left and right to select the callee then using the rocker to dial it.

The igg page is already well over it's initial target of $200k although it looks like a good few people are paying well over the suggested odds for one of these; I reckon if everyone who's pledged thus far paid the suggested minimum, the total would be almost $117k or just shy of 60% of the required total instead of 175% pledged.

The Cosmo is pretty much the same size as the Gemini and the Gemini has a very convenient size.
It fits in normal jeans pockets and is pretty slim for a full keyboard device.
Of course you need to open it to message etc. but that`s kind of the point of a device having a keyboard

 

[Grench]

The Cosmo is pretty much the same size as the Gemini and the Gemini has a very convenient size.
It fits in normal jeans pockets and is pretty slim for a full keyboard device.
Of course you need to open it to message etc. but that`s kind of the point of a device having a keyboard

Stack two 6" 'normal' smartphones on top of each other. If you can stick that in your pocket, the Gemini (and presumably the Cosmo) should fit. Though I suspect that the Cosmo is going to be ~3mm thicker (or so) in the middle compared to the Gemini.

Stack three 6" 'normal' smartphones on top of each other and duct tape two rolls of nickles to the long edge as a single cylinder. If you can stick that in your pocket, the Pyra should fit.

Assuming a 'normal' 6" smartphone is somewhere around 8-10 mm thick. They do vary a bit.
[doublepost=1541451580,1541450418][/doublepost]It just hit Engadget.
https://www.engadget.com/2018/11/05/planet-computers-cosmo-communicator/

Simply because it is a clamshell device with a physical keyboard it gets disdained as 'retro'. The thing has some pretty seriously modern hardware and software under the hood - yeah, it has an actual real metal hood. I guess that is retro too.

 

[Swordfish II]

I atm seriously weighing getting this and racing with the Pyra (canceling the later one to come out)

 

[NetBLOKS]

I atm seriously weighing getting this and racing with the Pyra (canceling the later one to come out)

As the Linux integration will never really be the same on Planet devices (lacking a mouse and support from Planet) the Pyra will be my Linux mobile device while the Cosmo will be my day to day Android mobile device with benefits (as it can do more than a normal smartphone).
The Pyra will have the better OS, mouse and be fully open source.
It will be easy to repair has a pen.
For me, I will need both and will hopefully be able to be able to do everything I need on these two devices.