10 ms·

A similar device that exists, has a 'real' keyboard, 4G/Wifi/BLE and a metal clamshell case is the https://store.planetcom.co.uk/products/gemini-pda-1 https://s

by kweks 7y ago

A similar device that exists, has a 'real' keyboard, 4G/Wifi/BLE and a metal clamshell case is the https://store.planetcom.co.uk/products/gemini-pda-1 https://store.planetcom.co.uk/products/gemini-pda-1 I've been running Android on it, but it also runs Debian apparently very well. 400dpi screen, enough to have 2 / 3 consoles open at the same time. It's most definitely saved my bacon a few times.

flukus 7y ago
Last I checked no 4g/SMS/calls with debian. Same old driver story of why we only have android phones and not Linux phones. Fixing that was/is the big promise of the librem 5.
- peterburkimsher 7y ago
  Can it dual boot?
  - hp49 7y ago
    It can triple boot :) Any of the following, if I'm not mistaken: Android / Android rooted / Debian / Sailfish / Kali
    - peterburkimsher 7y ago
      Very tempting. Having it as an Android phone most of the time, but rebooting into Debian to mount other peoples' devices or do video out sounds like the kind of device that might finally make me switch from my iPhone 4S. I don't need the physical keyboard though, and I'd want a USB-A port and HDMI port instead of USB-C for everything. So perhaps there are other devices that might suit me better. Still, it looks very attractive. Kind of like the OQO Model 2 I used for a few months before it died on me.
      - ThePowerOfFuet 7y ago
        >my iPhone 4S That hasn't been secure to use on the internet in a long time.
  - kingosticks 7y ago
    It's certainly listed on that webpage as a feature.
- yitchelle 7y ago
  Do you know how good the quality is when doing the phone calls?
vsviridov 7y ago
Very reminiscent of the Psion. Edit: no wonder, Martin Riddiford, who worked on Psion 5 Series worked on Gemini as well.
- cstross 7y ago
  I have one. It is, indeed, like the Second Coming of the Psion 5 ... only it got released a bit too early: the Gemini feels a bit public beta to me. I am eagerly awaiting the successor, the Cosmo Communicator (which is locked for shipping via Indiegogo: some are already trickling out). Faster, better, more refined by all accounts. But it's not a $200 toy, even at the early bird kickstarter price: all the smartphone features added overheads.
nizmow 7y ago
That's cool, but it's also several hundred dollars more expensive. I feel like the $200US price point really brings thing like this down to another level. Not exactly 'disposable', but more like a small appliance rather than something you've got to really look after.
- vinceguidry 7y ago
  With obscure form factors, you’re lucky if anything fits your needs. I simply want a tablet with Linux pre-installed, I’d pay iPad price for one if it existed. Pine 64 is nice and I’ll probably buy a few when they come out to play with. But it’s too underpowered to be a daily driver. This project, well I can’t imagine why they spent all that time cramming a keyboard into it.
  - freedomben 7y ago
    I completely agree. I'll be jumping on the PineTab as soon as it's available, but I'd love to get one with >= 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB storage.
- Tepix 7y ago
  I think it's the LoRa version for $300 that is unique. If you want a linux PC in your pocket, you can just install Debian on many Android phones.
  - yjftsjthsd-h 7y ago
    I assume you mean via chroot on Android? I would argue that that is still inferior because it's using the Android kernel (which in many cases isn't going to get things like security patches) where this claims to ship with mainline support.
hp49 7y ago
Two years ago I was looking for somoething highly portable with a physical keyboard. Found the Gemini on Indiegogo. I backed it there, travelled for almost a year on a bicycle with the Gemini in a bag and it's still running. The Debian distro has its issues, though...
- kingosticks 7y ago
  I was really interested in that and so very nearly backed it but was wary of the software support. Can you elaborate on the Debian issues? Would you still recommend one? (I don't care about telephone features)
  - hp49 7y ago
    It's mostly minor things + settings for screen-lock-on-idle aren't saved - sometimes I want the screen to be always on, but it doesn't work + screen brightness goes to 100% every time you unlock the screen (and to lower it again, you have to increase it first) + and a few other things in that ballpark Maybe they fixed it, but a while ago the whole update process broke because of a bad Open Office package. I'll switch to Android / Kali Linux (which wasn't supported in the beginning) soon. EDIT: But yea, I would still recommend it if you want something super portable with an actual keyboard. I don't know if I would pay the retail price, though.
    - kingosticks 7y ago
      Thanks, very helpful. I'm going to keep my eyes open on ebay for one then, I could live with that level of issue.
    - okennedy 7y ago
      > + settings for screen-lock-on-idle aren't saved - sometimes I want the screen to be always on, but it doesn't work Depends on the window manager/desktop environment you’re using, but there’s dozens of Gnome3 extensions that do exactly this. “Caffeine”, for example.
    - ncmncm 7y ago
timthorn 7y ago
Their Cosmo follow up is just starting to ship, as well. Even nicer, though more pricey
- rinchik 7y ago
  Cosmo doesn't support Linux at the moment. Otherwise would be a no-brainer for me.
- spurgu 7y ago
  Yeah, too pricey, otherwise I would've ordered one already. Maybe I'll be able to pick one up used in a year or two.
Wildgoose 7y ago
I have one as well. Highly recommended - coupled with Termux and a VPN connection it has been a lifesaver for me as well.
tluyben2 7y ago
I have the GPD Pocket 1 for these purposes; it's fast, it runs Windows, Linux and Android. I run Linux (Ubuntu/i3) on it. It has phenomenal battery life and it's fast enough to do reasonable .NET Core development on in cramped spaces or when my laptop is empty. I owned the Gemini as well, but, before it got stolen, I was going to sell it because Linux on that device did not really work for me while Android was not productive (for me).
- Crinus 7y ago
  Yeah, GPD's handheld PCs are IMO better than these ARM-based computers since they are (mostly) regular x86 PCs in tiny size and i can run my existing x86/x64 applications and games with them (of which i have thousands). Though when it comes to games i prefer the GPD Win. Honestly every time i learn about any handheld computer or gaming device i do a quick comparison in my mind with GPD's computers and outside of price the latter pretty much always come out winners (largely because they have zero competition in the real-PC-in-your-pocket space).
- defaultprimate 7y ago
  Are there alternative companies to GPD with similar x86 platforms? They look pretty great, but like to shop around a bit
  - Grumbledour 7y ago
    There are. Check out Liliputing[0] for example, to get an overview (No affiliation) [0] https://liliputing.com/tag/mini-laptop https://liliputing.com/tag/mini-laptop
    - defaultprimate 7y ago
      Perfect, thanks very much
- akhilcacharya 7y ago
  How many hours is phenomenal?
ubermonkey 7y ago
Those are super, super cool, but try as I might I just can't justify one. But I'm glad they exist.
drcongo 7y ago
I like the fact that it has an escape key.
JohnFen 7y ago
I was eager to hear more about the Popcorn, but after reading the specs, it doesn't really meet my needs. However, if I can install Linux on the Gemini, that looks like a perfect fit! Thanks for reminding me of that.

by kweks 7y ago

flukus 7y ago

Last I checked no 4g/SMS/calls with debian. Same old driver story of why we only have android phones and not Linux phones. Fixing that was/is the big promise of the librem 5.

peterburkimsher 7y ago
Can it dual boot?
- hp49 7y ago
  It can triple boot :) Any of the following, if I'm not mistaken: Android / Android rooted / Debian / Sailfish / Kali
  - peterburkimsher 7y ago
    Very tempting. Having it as an Android phone most of the time, but rebooting into Debian to mount other peoples' devices or do video out sounds like the kind of device that might finally make me switch from my iPhone 4S. I don't need the physical keyboard though, and I'd want a USB-A port and HDMI port instead of USB-C for everything. So perhaps there are other devices that might suit me better. Still, it looks very attractive. Kind of like the OQO Model 2 I used for a few months before it died on me.
    - ThePowerOfFuet 7y ago
      >my iPhone 4S That hasn't been secure to use on the internet in a long time.
- kingosticks 7y ago
  It's certainly listed on that webpage as a feature.
yitchelle 7y ago
Do you know how good the quality is when doing the phone calls?

vsviridov 7y ago

Very reminiscent of the Psion. Edit: no wonder, Martin Riddiford, who worked on Psion 5 Series worked on Gemini as well.

cstross 7y ago
I have one. It is, indeed, like the Second Coming of the Psion 5 ... only it got released a bit too early: the Gemini feels a bit public beta to me. I am eagerly awaiting the successor, the Cosmo Communicator (which is locked for shipping via Indiegogo: some are already trickling out). Faster, better, more refined by all accounts. But it's not a $200 toy, even at the early bird kickstarter price: all the smartphone features added overheads.

nizmow 7y ago

That's cool, but it's also several hundred dollars more expensive. I feel like the $200US price point really brings thing like this down to another level. Not exactly 'disposable', but more like a small appliance rather than something you've got to really look after.

vinceguidry 7y ago
With obscure form factors, you’re lucky if anything fits your needs. I simply want a tablet with Linux pre-installed, I’d pay iPad price for one if it existed. Pine 64 is nice and I’ll probably buy a few when they come out to play with. But it’s too underpowered to be a daily driver. This project, well I can’t imagine why they spent all that time cramming a keyboard into it.
- freedomben 7y ago
  I completely agree. I'll be jumping on the PineTab as soon as it's available, but I'd love to get one with >= 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB storage.
Tepix 7y ago
I think it's the LoRa version for $300 that is unique. If you want a linux PC in your pocket, you can just install Debian on many Android phones.
- yjftsjthsd-h 7y ago
  I assume you mean via chroot on Android? I would argue that that is still inferior because it's using the Android kernel (which in many cases isn't going to get things like security patches) where this claims to ship with mainline support.

hp49 7y ago

Two years ago I was looking for somoething highly portable with a physical keyboard. Found the Gemini on Indiegogo. I backed it there, travelled for almost a year on a bicycle with the Gemini in a bag and it's still running. The Debian distro has its issues, though...

kingosticks 7y ago
I was really interested in that and so very nearly backed it but was wary of the software support. Can you elaborate on the Debian issues? Would you still recommend one? (I don't care about telephone features)
- hp49 7y ago
  It's mostly minor things + settings for screen-lock-on-idle aren't saved - sometimes I want the screen to be always on, but it doesn't work + screen brightness goes to 100% every time you unlock the screen (and to lower it again, you have to increase it first) + and a few other things in that ballpark Maybe they fixed it, but a while ago the whole update process broke because of a bad Open Office package. I'll switch to Android / Kali Linux (which wasn't supported in the beginning) soon. EDIT: But yea, I would still recommend it if you want something super portable with an actual keyboard. I don't know if I would pay the retail price, though.
  - kingosticks 7y ago
    Thanks, very helpful. I'm going to keep my eyes open on ebay for one then, I could live with that level of issue.
  - okennedy 7y ago
    > + settings for screen-lock-on-idle aren't saved - sometimes I want the screen to be always on, but it doesn't work Depends on the window manager/desktop environment you’re using, but there’s dozens of Gnome3 extensions that do exactly this. “Caffeine”, for example.
  - ncmncm 7y ago

timthorn 7y ago

Their Cosmo follow up is just starting to ship, as well. Even nicer, though more pricey

rinchik 7y ago
Cosmo doesn't support Linux at the moment. Otherwise would be a no-brainer for me.
spurgu 7y ago
Yeah, too pricey, otherwise I would've ordered one already. Maybe I'll be able to pick one up used in a year or two.

Wildgoose 7y ago

I have one as well. Highly recommended - coupled with Termux and a VPN connection it has been a lifesaver for me as well.

tluyben2 7y ago

I have the GPD Pocket 1 for these purposes; it's fast, it runs Windows, Linux and Android. I run Linux (Ubuntu/i3) on it. It has phenomenal battery life and it's fast enough to do reasonable .NET Core development on in cramped spaces or when my laptop is empty. I owned the Gemini as well, but, before it got stolen, I was going to sell it because Linux on that device did not really work for me while Android was not productive (for me).

Crinus 7y ago
Yeah, GPD's handheld PCs are IMO better than these ARM-based computers since they are (mostly) regular x86 PCs in tiny size and i can run my existing x86/x64 applications and games with them (of which i have thousands). Though when it comes to games i prefer the GPD Win. Honestly every time i learn about any handheld computer or gaming device i do a quick comparison in my mind with GPD's computers and outside of price the latter pretty much always come out winners (largely because they have zero competition in the real-PC-in-your-pocket space).
defaultprimate 7y ago
Are there alternative companies to GPD with similar x86 platforms? They look pretty great, but like to shop around a bit
- Grumbledour 7y ago
  There are. Check out Liliputing[0] for example, to get an overview (No affiliation) [0] https://liliputing.com/tag/mini-laptop https://liliputing.com/tag/mini-laptop
  - defaultprimate 7y ago
    Perfect, thanks very much
akhilcacharya 7y ago
How many hours is phenomenal?

ubermonkey 7y ago

Those are super, super cool, but try as I might I just can't justify one. But I'm glad they exist.

drcongo 7y ago

I like the fact that it has an escape key.

JohnFen 7y ago

I was eager to hear more about the Popcorn, but after reading the specs, it doesn't really meet my needs. However, if I can install Linux on the Gemini, that looks like a perfect fit! Thanks for reminding me of that.