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I think the only bit that looked handy in there would be if it could parse PDF datasheets and help you sort them by some hidden parameter. If I give it 100 data

I think the only bit that looked handy in there would be if it could parse PDF datasheets and help you sort them by some hidden parameter. If I give it 100 datasheets for microphones it really should be able to sort them by mechanical height. Maybe I'm too optimistic. The number of times I've had to entirely redo a circuit because of one misplaced connection, yeah, none of those circuits worked for any price before I fixed every single error.

DHaldane 2y ago
Agree that PDF digesting was the most useful. I think Gemini could definitely do that microphone study. Good test case! I remember spending 8 hours on DigiKey in the bad old times, looking for an audio jack that was 0.5mm shorter.
- hadlock 2y ago
  As I understand it, PDF digestion/manipulation (and particularly translation) has long been a top request from businesses, based on conversations I've had with people selling the technology, so it doesn't surprise me that Gemini excels at this task.
- robxorb 2y ago
  Anyone looking for an idea for something potentially valuable to make: ingest PDF datasheets and let us search/compare etc, across them. The PDF datasheet is possibly one of the biggest and most unecessary hurdles to electronics design efficiency.
- neltnerb 2y ago
  Hah, you're not kidding. Literally my comment was inspired by a recent realization that it is not possible to search for a RF connector by footprint size. That's absurd to me, it took so long to figure out which random sequence of letters was the smallest in overall PCB footprint. Maybe we found it, we think it's the AYU2T-1B-GA-GA-ETY(HF) but sure would be nice if Digikey had a search by footprint dimensions. Yet strangely the physical ability of a device to fit into a location you need it is not in the list of things I can search. Takes ten seconds to find the numbers -- after I download and open the PDF file. https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/coaxial-connectors-rf/coaxial-connector-rf-assemblies/437 https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/coaxial-connector... Just so strange, but so common. And digikey is heads and shoulders above average, McMaster might be the only better one I know of at it and they're very curated.

DHaldane 2y ago

Agree that PDF digesting was the most useful. I think Gemini could definitely do that microphone study. Good test case! I remember spending 8 hours on DigiKey in the bad old times, looking for an audio jack that was 0.5mm shorter.

hadlock 2y ago
As I understand it, PDF digestion/manipulation (and particularly translation) has long been a top request from businesses, based on conversations I've had with people selling the technology, so it doesn't surprise me that Gemini excels at this task.
robxorb 2y ago
Anyone looking for an idea for something potentially valuable to make: ingest PDF datasheets and let us search/compare etc, across them. The PDF datasheet is possibly one of the biggest and most unecessary hurdles to electronics design efficiency.
neltnerb 2y ago
Hah, you're not kidding. Literally my comment was inspired by a recent realization that it is not possible to search for a RF connector by footprint size. That's absurd to me, it took so long to figure out which random sequence of letters was the smallest in overall PCB footprint. Maybe we found it, we think it's the AYU2T-1B-GA-GA-ETY(HF) but sure would be nice if Digikey had a search by footprint dimensions. Yet strangely the physical ability of a device to fit into a location you need it is not in the list of things I can search. Takes ten seconds to find the numbers -- after I download and open the PDF file. https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/coaxial-connectors-rf/coaxial-connector-rf-assemblies/437 https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/coaxial-connector... Just so strange, but so common. And digikey is heads and shoulders above average, McMaster might be the only better one I know of at it and they're very curated.