Planet Computers : Gemini - Psion Returns


Planet Computer also stated that their Debian image was updated and that it now runs much better. I would really appreciate a test of it :)

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That is all happening over on the OESF boards.
Code:
https://www.oesf.org/forum/index.php?showforum=192

There is also the developers forum - with hardly anything going on:
Code:
https://developer.planetcom.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?fid=4
 
Planet Computer also stated that their Debian image was updated and that it now runs much better. I would really appreciate a test of it :)

I got my Gemini last weekend. I installed Debian right away and have not used Android since. The system works very well for what I want which is running Emacs with org mode for agenda and note taking.

The system is probably a bit too rough for general use and some things are still missing including graphics acceleration and mobile phone functionality.

But the keyboard is fantastic!

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Just curious, do you have to choose one operating system or can you install Android and Debian at the same time and boot to whatever you need currently?
 
The system works very well for what I want which is running Emacs with org mode for agenda and note taking.
Hmmm....that's my primary application for the Pyra (I am not saying that I do not care about the other things I can do with it, obviously I do).
 
Just curious, do you have to choose one operating system or can you install Android and Debian at the same time and boot to whatever you need currently?
You can have at least three systems installed, out of Android, rooted Android, Debian Linux, and Sailfish. Although I only intend to use Debian, I installed both Android and Debian just to cover my bases.

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Hmmm....that's my primary application for the Pyra (I am not saying that I do not care about the other things I can do with it, obviously I do).
This is what I have been using my Pandora for during the past few years. I am likely to get a Pyra in due course as well as it's more open but got the Gemini as a stop-gap. The Pandora was starting to struggle and I couldn't wait.

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I am still a bit on the fence about the Gemini. It looks like a great device but it covers fewer of my use-cases than the Pyra does. It also does not really add any use cases that I care about which the Pyra cannot do.

Its main advantage is that it is available.
 
I agree. But I got impatient!

The one thing I know I am going to miss the most on the Gemini is the inaccessible battery. There are also many less ports and slots. But it'll do for now.

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The main disadvantage of the Gemini is (in my opinion) it's non backlit keyboard.
Because of the fact that every button has at least two functions, I struggle with working in dim lit environments.
Also, the fact that it only got one FN-button, which is located on the left side.
It is needed as often as the shift button, but not also available on the right side.

If you take out these two disadvantages, the Gemini is awesome, the best Android device I used so far (I've used Android since the first Galaxy smartphone) and this text is typed on it.
Even so, I'm still patiently waiting for my Pyra...
 
I must admit that I keep expecting to find Ctrl and shift keys on the back of the unit...

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Just curious, do you have to choose one operating system or can you install Android and Debian at the same time and boot to whatever you need currently?

Funny you should ask... Planet now references it as a quad boot device. All four OSs can be loaded and booted from on a single device, assuming you want to break down the 64GB eMMC that far.

https://androidcommunity.com/planet-computers-gemini-pda-gets-a-quad-boot-option-20180627/

Android
Rooted Android
Debian
Sailfish OS 2.X community beta - soon to be 3.

I need my phone working with Android for work, so I haven't installed any of the additional OSs on it - not worth the risk at the moment.

But - I'm considering purchasing a 2nd Gemini to play with. I would rather have a Pyra to play with. But, I've had a Gemini for a month or more now and it's become my regular go-to.
 
That's exactly my problem too.
I'd really like to try Debian etc. on my Gemini, but I need it running smoothly as my main communication device.
If I break anything or the phone does not work etc. my clients won't be able to contact me and as I am self employed, that is not acceptable for me or my clients.
So I keep on waiting.
 
That's exactly my problem too.
I'd really like to try Debian etc. on my Gemini, but I need it running smoothly as my main communication device.
If I break anything or the phone does not work etc. my clients won't be able to contact me and as I am self employed, that is not acceptable for me or my clients.
So I keep on waiting.

I just bought a cheap Sony Android phone and use that as my main device. Sony actually updates most of their phones for some time. They're much better than any non-Nexus device in this regard.


That way, I can mess with my Gemini without worrying about destroying my daily driver.
 
@eric
@Grench
how is typing just with thumbs when holding in hands? I think about getting a successor to my beloved N900.
Do you know how long it will take to deliver when i order in indiegogo now? On their website, the pricing is much higher.

Edit: not to forget the most important question, does it fit into a jeans pocket? This would be the only advantage over the pyra.
 
Last edited:
@eric
@Grench
how is typing just with thumbs when holding in hands? I think about getting a successor to my beloved N900.
Do you know how long it will take to deliver when i order in indiegogo now? On their website, the pricing is much higher.

Edit: not to forget the most important question, does it fit into a jeans pocket? This would be the only advantage over the pyra.

Typing with the thumbs is sub-optimal but doable. The Pyra keyboard test mule I had for a short time was better for thumb typing.

Set the Gemini on any semi-flat surface, though, and with a bit of practice, true touch-typing is possible even with my big fat fingers. Touch typing won't work for anyone with hands larger than a Keebler Elf's on the Pyra. (Joke courtesy of my wife. She saw me using my Pandora and said, "The Keebler Elves called. They want their computer back.")

I do not know what their current time to delivery is. The last piece of my order (camera module) arrived yesterday. I think they have fulfilled all of the pre-orders and may be fulfilling from stock at this point - maybe?

I'm not sure why Planet still has the Indiegogo project open. I would think they would loose a significant chunk of each sale there.

I suspect that the Planet computers website sales was set up as the after-Indiegogo plan.

@EvilDragon (the guy who runs this place and makes the Pyra) said above in this thread that he was going to try to get them stocked in his store. I do not know what price he will end up charging.

I'm considering purchasing a 2nd Gemini so that I can have one to play with Debian and Sailfish on since my existing one is getting used for work.

Hope that helps.
[doublepost=1530199603,1530199422][/doublepost]Oh, and yes, it fits in my front pants/jeans pocket. Depending on how generous your clothing manufacturer was, though, it may be tight or non-fitting. It IS a VERY large, heavy and thick phone. It is also a very small computer.
 
@eric
@Grench
how is typing just with thumbs when holding in hands? I think about getting a successor to my beloved N900.
Do you know how long it will take to deliver when i order in indiegogo now? On their website, the pricing is much higher.

Edit: not to forget the most important question, does it fit into a jeans pocket? This would be the only advantage over the pyra.

Regarding delivery: Best wait for ED to stock it.
For all the other questions:
Thumb typing is very good, except for the missing second FN button.
It fits very well, even into quite the slim jeans pocket.

Edit:
Aaaaaaaaaah, ninjad by @Grench

Editedit:
Typing on it looks like Schroeder from Peanuts playing on his small piano.
But as Grench wrote: after some getting used to it, you can even type with the device laying on your leg and fixing it with both pinky fingers for stability.
I really like my Gemini.
 
Typing on it looks like Schroeder from Peanuts playing on his small piano.
But as Grench wrote: after some getting used to it, you can even type with the device laying on your leg and fixing it with both pinky fingers for stability.
I really like my Gemini.

Agreed on the Shroeder's Piano bit. Maybe I should print that to a sticker and put it on the lid.

I hadn't tried the pinky stabilizer trick... I'll have to give that a shot. The side to side wobble when leg-typing can be a bit frustrating.

Other hackish things...
I still have the factory shipped cheap screen-cover layer on mine. I bought a screen protector for it from Amazon UK but it still hasn't arrived.

I'm not fond of having a camera stare back at me constantly, so I have taken to cutting the sticky side of a post it note to use as a cheap lens cover on notebooks & tablets. I did that on the left side of my Gemini and then figured out, WOW! Having that bit of extra traction on the screen helps a -lot-! Bonus it cuts down on the thumbprints. So, I put one on the non-camera side too. My Gemini screen is now bordered on the left and right by yellow post-it note tops where my thumbs hold the screen side while my fingers hold the back of the screen side while my palms hold the keyboard side when using it without a table.
 
Thumb typing is not as easy as on the Pandora (and Pyra I assume) mostly because of the lack of extra keys and buttons. However, typing with the Gemini on a flat surface is much nicer because of the size of the keys. My use case involves both so I'm happy half the time...

The Gemini fits in my jeans' pockets, both front and rear. It is bigger than my phone but not that much bigger. It's longer than the Pandora but much thinner. I carry both Gemini and phone as I'm not using the Gemini as a phone, partly because my phone has an excellent camera which I use all the time.
[doublepost=1530252705,1530252555][/doublepost]Oh, and I love the Schroder image!
[doublepost=1530261625][/doublepost]
@eric
@Grench
Do you know how long it will take to deliver when i order in indiegogo now? On their website, the pricing is much higher.

I have no idea about indiegogo but I ordered mine at the start of the month directly from Planetcom.co.uk with an expected delivery of "mid-June". I received it last week. And, yes, the price is now much higher than the pre-order price, as is expected. Whether this price will drop or not is anybody's guess.
 
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