4 ms·

What I really really want is a Linux phone with a physical keyboard like the the Nokia N900. Is this too niche?

kop316 5y ago
https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=13684 https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=13684 They are making a keyboard for the Pinephone.
goda90 5y ago
This one claims to support Ubuntu Touch. Not sure how good that support really is: https://www.fxtec.com/pro1x https://www.fxtec.com/pro1x
orthecreedence 5y ago
https://www.fxtec.com/pro1x https://www.fxtec.com/pro1x I haven't used this, but it's on my list of things to watch. I dearly miss my Droid 4 phone because of the physical keyboard, however it was always just too sluggish to put to real use.
jkepler 5y ago
I'm still a bit bummed the Neo900 never happened. I think I read somewhere that once a year Google does free PCB prints if the board designs are free/libre design. If that's true (source, anyone?) does anyone who reads board schematics know of neo900 did enough design to print the new boards and 3D print the spacer to upgrade old N900s?
- seba_dos1 5y ago
  https://gitlab.com/neo900/ee-full https://gitlab.com/neo900/ee-full
isr 5y ago
Typing this response on a Gemini, from Planet Computers. Essentially, its a vanilla smartphone, with an updated version of the Psion Series 5 keyboard bolted on (designed by the same chap who did the original). If you look online, you'll probably find a lot of cons, as I think many people who backed this on Indiegogo has unrealistic expectations for this device. For me, I can say that this has been the best "smartphone" I've ever had. There are numerous small things which could have been improved - but the biggest thing - the keyboard - is actually really good (and I speak as someone who prefers to use custom mechanical keyboards like the atreus with his laptop, so I am picky). If you can make Android a comfy environment (termux, your programming languages of choice, neovim & syncthing), it becomes a usable mini laptop when necessary.
- 3np 5y ago
  Have you attempted to run Linux on it? What’s the experience if so? I’m really, really compelled to get Gemini PDA or Cosmo Communicator but I’m concerned about hardware compatibility.

https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=13684 https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=13684 They are making a keyboard for the Pinephone.

goda90 5y ago

This one claims to support Ubuntu Touch. Not sure how good that support really is: https://www.fxtec.com/pro1x https://www.fxtec.com/pro1x

orthecreedence 5y ago

https://www.fxtec.com/pro1x https://www.fxtec.com/pro1x I haven't used this, but it's on my list of things to watch. I dearly miss my Droid 4 phone because of the physical keyboard, however it was always just too sluggish to put to real use.

jkepler 5y ago

I'm still a bit bummed the Neo900 never happened. I think I read somewhere that once a year Google does free PCB prints if the board designs are free/libre design. If that's true (source, anyone?) does anyone who reads board schematics know of neo900 did enough design to print the new boards and 3D print the spacer to upgrade old N900s?

seba_dos1 5y ago
https://gitlab.com/neo900/ee-full https://gitlab.com/neo900/ee-full

isr 5y ago

Typing this response on a Gemini, from Planet Computers. Essentially, its a vanilla smartphone, with an updated version of the Psion Series 5 keyboard bolted on (designed by the same chap who did the original). If you look online, you'll probably find a lot of cons, as I think many people who backed this on Indiegogo has unrealistic expectations for this device. For me, I can say that this has been the best "smartphone" I've ever had. There are numerous small things which could have been improved - but the biggest thing - the keyboard - is actually really good (and I speak as someone who prefers to use custom mechanical keyboards like the atreus with his laptop, so I am picky). If you can make Android a comfy environment (termux, your programming languages of choice, neovim & syncthing), it becomes a usable mini laptop when necessary.

3np 5y ago
Have you attempted to run Linux on it? What’s the experience if so? I’m really, really compelled to get Gemini PDA or Cosmo Communicator but I’m concerned about hardware compatibility.