4 ms·

It's got integrated LoRa, so I assume they're targeting a lot of hackers or people working on IOT stuff "in the field", as it were. Well and I'm not one of tho

It's got integrated LoRa, so I assume they're targeting a lot of hackers or people working on IOT stuff "in the field", as it were. Well and I'm not one of those, but I'm still seriously considering getting it - or rather, the cheaper version without LoRa. I can't really tell you anything from the top of my head, but back when I had my N900, it found so many unexpected uses constantly. Having a full-blown Linux machine in your pocket is a seriously different game than any of the current gen of smartphones.

noir_lord 6y ago
I just want someone to take this form factor[1] (and crucially build quality) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psion_Series_5#/media/File:2005-04-16_Psion_Serie_5mx_PRO_24MB_beschn_unscharf_scharf.JPG https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psion_Series_5#/media/File:200... and shove modern hardware/screen into it running stock gnu/linux.
- alectroem 6y ago
  this may right up your ally! https://www.www3.planetcom.co.uk/gemini-pda https://www.www3.planetcom.co.uk/gemini-pda As far as I can tell, it can dualboot linux and android (or even sailfish OS!)
  - sschueller 6y ago
    Yes it dual boots, I have one. The issue is that only last week they got the modem to work under Linux and there are still many open issues. I wish they opened their development including Android as there are issues that the community could fix much faster. As for use cause. I don't know. Nice to have a keyboard but I'm carrying two phones around now which is kind of stupid. The front display it total garbage, slow ui and useless. Their next model seems more practical as the screen is on the outside allowing use without having to fold open the keyboard which is kind of annoying on the gemini.
- isr 6y ago
  As others have mentioned, Planet Computers "Gemini" is what you're looking for. Truth be told, its only really usable when running android. BUT: * its easily rooted (the bootloader is open, and Planet provide a rooted android image) * with Termux (or a full chroot of your choice), you do get most of the way towards "the linux experience" Early batches may have been hit or miss. Mine was from the 2nd indiegogo batch, and all I can say is, hardware-wise, its really good. I've used it HEAVILY over the last couple of years. Dropped it a few times. They keyboard is good. It does have genuine tactile feedback. Given the size limitations, its brilliant. And yes, I did have more than 1 Psion back in the day (from the calculator-style model, all the way to the famed Psion 5). And as far as keyboard feel is concerned, on my desktop, I use ergonomic mechanical keyboards (ergodox & atreus62) with various switch types - which means that yes - I am a bit picky when it comes to keyboards. And I have to say that, given the size limitations, the Gemini keyboard is a marvel. Its genuinely usable. I also have a GPD Pocket. Thats significantly larger, with a chiclet style keyboard. The Gemini keyboard blows it out of the water. I have no qualms over opening up termux, and neovim or joe, switching between multiple tabs, buffers and embedded terminals, and banging out some code. (although I do wish they had used an ortholinear layout for the keyboard, and I wish I could properly remap the layout a la qmk) As a phone, it has its limitations. But, if you pair it with a smartwatch, many of those limitations can be overcome. Its been my only phone for over a year. On a final note, nothing beats being able to sit in front of a large screen android-enabled tv, pull out my phone/pda/psion-remake, connect via miracast, and just bang away .... Its a hoot :)
newsbinator 6y ago
What are some useful/fun things to do with an N900 (or Linux with LoRa in your pocket) that a non-jailbroken smartphone like iPhone/Android can't do well? (genuinely asking for ideas)
terrycody 6y ago
I guess you can try librism 5 linux phone, or pinephone.

noir_lord 6y ago

I just want someone to take this form factor[1] (and crucially build quality) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psion_Series_5#/media/File:2005-04-16_Psion_Serie_5mx_PRO_24MB_beschn_unscharf_scharf.JPG https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psion_Series_5#/media/File:200... and shove modern hardware/screen into it running stock gnu/linux.

alectroem 6y ago
this may right up your ally! https://www.www3.planetcom.co.uk/gemini-pda https://www.www3.planetcom.co.uk/gemini-pda As far as I can tell, it can dualboot linux and android (or even sailfish OS!)
- sschueller 6y ago
  Yes it dual boots, I have one. The issue is that only last week they got the modem to work under Linux and there are still many open issues. I wish they opened their development including Android as there are issues that the community could fix much faster. As for use cause. I don't know. Nice to have a keyboard but I'm carrying two phones around now which is kind of stupid. The front display it total garbage, slow ui and useless. Their next model seems more practical as the screen is on the outside allowing use without having to fold open the keyboard which is kind of annoying on the gemini.
isr 6y ago
As others have mentioned, Planet Computers "Gemini" is what you're looking for. Truth be told, its only really usable when running android. BUT: * its easily rooted (the bootloader is open, and Planet provide a rooted android image) * with Termux (or a full chroot of your choice), you do get most of the way towards "the linux experience" Early batches may have been hit or miss. Mine was from the 2nd indiegogo batch, and all I can say is, hardware-wise, its really good. I've used it HEAVILY over the last couple of years. Dropped it a few times. They keyboard is good. It does have genuine tactile feedback. Given the size limitations, its brilliant. And yes, I did have more than 1 Psion back in the day (from the calculator-style model, all the way to the famed Psion 5). And as far as keyboard feel is concerned, on my desktop, I use ergonomic mechanical keyboards (ergodox & atreus62) with various switch types - which means that yes - I am a bit picky when it comes to keyboards. And I have to say that, given the size limitations, the Gemini keyboard is a marvel. Its genuinely usable. I also have a GPD Pocket. Thats significantly larger, with a chiclet style keyboard. The Gemini keyboard blows it out of the water. I have no qualms over opening up termux, and neovim or joe, switching between multiple tabs, buffers and embedded terminals, and banging out some code. (although I do wish they had used an ortholinear layout for the keyboard, and I wish I could properly remap the layout a la qmk) As a phone, it has its limitations. But, if you pair it with a smartwatch, many of those limitations can be overcome. Its been my only phone for over a year. On a final note, nothing beats being able to sit in front of a large screen android-enabled tv, pull out my phone/pda/psion-remake, connect via miracast, and just bang away .... Its a hoot :)

newsbinator 6y ago

What are some useful/fun things to do with an N900 (or Linux with LoRa in your pocket) that a non-jailbroken smartphone like iPhone/Android can't do well? (genuinely asking for ideas)

terrycody 6y ago

I guess you can try librism 5 linux phone, or pinephone.