The lack of back light on the Gemini has been more of an issue than I had thought it would be. Leaning the screen back over the keys to 'take a peek' generally works, and as I get to touch typing on it I do that less and less. But yeah, it could really use a back lit keyboard.
I predict that Pyra's Debian phone support will include bits directly borrowed from the Debian on Gemini phone support that is currently in development. Debian on the Pyra and Debian on the Gemini should be able to use VERY similar software.
However, what I really want to try on the Gemini is Sailfish OS.
I'm kind of surprised how many people have jumped in after the price rose to retail on this. They're still selling several per day. Keep in mind that there are good and bad things about the Gemini. So far the good outweigh the bad for me. Several of the bad could theoretically get fixed in software.
Good:
- Keyboard. Just barely big enough to quasi-touch-type on.
- Pretty snappy. The X27 isn't going to win spec wars with the flagships, but it still does anything asked of it without lagging.
- Screen is excellent. As a surprising bonus, this works VERY well as a desktop streaming video viewer.
- Bezels I have seen people complain about the bezels. The bezels are there to make room for the keyboard. The screen is already 2:1 - there isn't content for anything wider. The bezels also make great 'grips' on either side of the screen.
- Left USB C port. No more 'which end is up' for the charging cable.
- Fits comfortably in a front pants pocket.
- Battery seemingly lasts forever with 'normal use'.
- microSDXC slot works with a 200GB card (after formatting to Fat32)
Bad:
- Checking voice mail or doing anything else that requires input during a phone call. This is the ergonomic issue of trying to use the Gemini as a phone while the lid is open.
- Lid Switch behavior: Wired headphones with in-line Android remote don't work with the lid closed. I.e. if you put the unit in your pocket you can no longer skip to the next song or raise/lower the volume or pause playback. Truly WTF? Wishing this can get fixed in software.
- Left USB C port is the only one that charges the unit. It is also the only one that can accept a hub. It also cannot charge through the hub. HDMI to monitor is only through the Right USB C port. It is therefore not possible to connect to wired monitor, keyboard, mouse, and charge the Gemini at the same time.
- USB C dongle to two USB 3 type A, Ethernet, and a USB C power port cannot pass charging power back to the Gemini. Another WTF?
- microSDXC slot insists on formatting any card inserted as FAT32 and will not accept a card formatted as EXFat or other. Wishing this can get fixed in software.
- Anytime an SDXC or microSDXC card or USB device is connected to the Gemini via USB adapter, the Gemini insists that it must be formatted as FAT32 before the Gemini will interact with it. Wishing this can get fixed in software.
- One Button behavior: Pushing the one exposed button is linked to Google Assistant. Once activated, Google Assistant will proceed to pop up every time you try to use your device for anything. Google Assistant will also take over the button on your headphones for itself, overriding any intent you had to pause, play or next track. Any attempts will open up Google Assistant instead. Google Assistant cannot be removed or tamed, but it can be disabled if you find the right, well hidden,sub-menu in Google Assistant. Wishing this can get fixed in software.
And that is a huge part of it's charm. It is the most different phone device on the market today - and it does that by being a complete re-do on a much loved device from 20+ years ago. A bunch of old people got together with a bunch of young people made their own ideal device blending old and new technologies and gave the rest of us a chance to buy in on it to get a device that the major manufacturers would never consider producing. I call that a win.
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