Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

Thank you! It's an honour!

I apologise we are getting quiet recently - I want to make the Moto Keyboard Mod as good as I can, then I will focus on this successor. I only release the product I am happy with myself.

I am aiming for Mid-October that we can get all the Moto Keyboard business completed with R&D and I will make Lauta back to your hand. ;)

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

@handaxe, I may be wrong but I believe @gerbick was making an ironic remark about some missing zeroes.

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

Info about linux in the comments:

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

Ah, quite right - not the actual downgrade but the one reported here. Less haste etc.

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

The guy met with the CEO and CTO of the company behind the Gemini PDA last night, and got his hands on their prototypes. Here is the report in his blog:

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

MWC America video showing Gemini PDA team :

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

They now have a video showing their prototype doing some stuff:
https://vimeo.com/237116357

I'm looking forward to seeing more of them!

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

I played with the production samples at Gitex in Dubai. They look good, and the guys are working on getting Linux on the device.

Some of the problem is down to Mediatek, because their release is Android-only, which means things either have to be rewritten or libhybris has to be used to call the Android kernel drivers — which means, in turn, being stuck on the same release as Android.

The Planet guys are pressuring Mediatek, and we should all do the same. One of the Mediatek guys actually told me that some of the kernel modules are written for them by Google. I’m not sure it’s true, but things are probably more complicated than we would like!

Anyway, progress is being made. I’ll check in with the Planet guys here in London once work slows down a bit.

T


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Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

surprise surprise :rolleyes:

they can't even support android properly. Every Android TV (sony, philips, TLC) is based on mediacrap SoC and every update to new android brought a bunch of new problems that were never resolved. They don't use officail android APIs
and bunch of stuff that worked on lollypop was broken with MM and never fixed. And those who did received Nougat still have the same problems.

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

That's very nice to hear!

Do you know which are the problematic part? Ie. what works on the mainline kernel and what doesn't?

I personally would be okay with libhybris as well, as long as I can then use my preferred desktop environment and apps.

I wouldn't be surprised if that were true.

If you do, please share the story with us. :)

Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

Not off the top of my head. But I’m digging into it.


There are options for both libhybris and a chroot environment already on the table, but I’m pushing for mainline. We’ll see how it goes.

More as things progress.


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Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

FYI — a new video showing Linux environment was released today.

I’m sure this is libhybris based, but it’s a start!

https://vimeo.com/239095559


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Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

How do you know ???

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

I had a long talk with the guys at Gitex, and the underlying chipset isn’t in mainline. But it’s a WIP. I’ll catch up with them next week and try to get some more details.


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Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

I don't have a problem with libhybris.
If that's what it takes to get it working decently.

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

Do you know why they chose not to put the screen in the center? It kinda looks a little weird.

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

Does anyone know what's up with the Gemini? They are not responding to any comments on IGG + they haven't posted any significant updates for a while. :(

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

Hate to say it...
But it is a common thing to see ...

A- It may be they are busy and haven't yet told everyone interested in their work or their situation. (mind that is hardly an excuse when anyone can write a 2 second blurb to alleviate concern ... stating:
"Don't worry ...we still have a pulse!...and will write more the moment we have a chance!...." )
or
B- It may be they have folded , moved on, and haven't yet told everyone interested in their work or their situation. (or perhaps do not relish saying so.)
or
C- they simply do not care enough to mention what is happening. (worse I think than A or B)

I think your inquiry and mention...
say a great deal ..
regardless whether it is A or B or C

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

D- they scampered off with your money ;)

(I guess you can say it is a variant of C.)

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

Not sure why every single crowdfunding campaign fails at communication, though. One or two short updates each week would do the trick, I think.

Heh.
Let's hope that isn't the case!

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

It seems they are reading TMO, there is an update :)

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/g...e#/updates/all

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

The Gemini PDA is being shown off CES 2018

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/g...e#/updates/all

http://www.bbc.com/news/av/technolog...droid-makeover

https://www.pocket-lint.com/phones/n...ose-psion-days

https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/7/16...ds-on-ces-2018

https://liliputing.com/2018/01/hands...h-display.html

https://www.slashgear.com/planet-com...boot-07514066/

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comm...op_Environment

I would really like to get this running on a Gemini pda.

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

Gemini launch - Linux update
:D:D:D:D:D:D

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

Lets see.. I don't trust them.... If this item has really the keyboard of 5MX and is capable of running SailfishOS - i will buy it. Bot not until it is on the market....

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

And the userspace drivers? Still vdry skeptical.

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

We should see in about a week, during the MWC, at which level each of those linux flavors are already running on the device :

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

I don't know to what extent it's working, but at least looking at the pictures feels good.

http://reho.st/https://c1.iggcdn.com...w0giax4qp8.jpg
http://reho.st/https://c1.iggcdn.com...hbsjue75si.jpg
http://reho.st/https://c1.iggcdn.com...ehhwybjtrj.jpg
http://reho.st/https://c1.iggcdn.com...iklxcw2krz.jpg
http://reho.st/https://c1.iggcdn.com...6fiux4d7s9.jpg

The thing is it's more expensive than my 13" laptop with real keyboard and screen, i5, 8 GB RAM, dual SSD and a GPU fully working under Linux, which is admittedly not the same use (I know) but I still feel more comfortable spending this much in a laptop. Of course the price of the Gemini is not shocking when you compare it to Samsung or Apple flagships, but high enough to hesitate. What I don't like is you can only use it as a clam shell, no phone call without opening it (except with voice command but it will likely be exclusive to Android), and no comfortable thumb typing either to type when walking.

However, it's very nice to see that they considered Sailfish and even Postmarket OS (so good to see good ol' Hildon on a recent device; I thought the same when I saw Maemo-Leste) to the point that it seems to run at least partially on the device. I wonder if the Gemini wouldn't be one of those devices Jolla was teasing in some blog posts lately. Both companies know about some overlap between their potential users, so it would be nice to see if this Sailfish is official or a port (unless I missed something, the pictures do not show, I can't see any Android icon on the homescreen). My personal undocumented belief is it's only a port though.

Also, here are some additional information from TheKit (who I assume is the same person as our TMO member) on what is currently working, although not official: http://developer.planetcom.co.uk/sho...d=5&pid=6#pid6

I am curious about the drivers and kernel too now.

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

What kind of keyboard switches are they using, those keys look almost big enough to hide some Cherry blues.
(edit) I looked at more pix, I am pretty sure there is no room for mechanical key switches.

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

No, won't be MX they're too chunky. Probably standard chiclet/rubberdome but hopefully the new kailh choc switches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B27I...5Kug2bsQPKwUGq

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

And I am curious/worried (mostly the latter) about the BIOS.
I suspect some proprietary binary blob, but couldn't find/search properly on that subject.

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

There is no desktop-style BIOS there, as it's an ARM device. The closest to it is little kernel, which they are going to release. But there are lots of other blobs just as in regular Android phone, so I guess it should be the least of worries.

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

The fact that it is built towards being an Android device is the elephant in the matchbox when it comes to worries :rolleyes:

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

Maybe you interested: Someone has seen Kernel version 3.18.41 running: http://developer.planetcom.co.uk/sho...p?tid=5&page=2

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

Gemini PDA is available for buying on their website.

Waiting for my salary.... :(

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

Talked to the Planet PDA guys.
The Gemini PDA is cheaper on Indigogo, than on the official site, and they will first deliver all indigogo perks and afterwards the shop purchases.

The second batch should cover all indigogo perks, which are not yet delivered.

Purchased on indigogo.

And for people, who want develop SailfishOS on the Gemini PDA - there "might" be special offer.

I can't post details here, but all folks, who want develop or port SF on the Gemini PDA, might contact me on Telegram @explit.
And i will look, what i can do.
Of course, anything is without warranty and only a "good will" act of Planet Comp. Inc.

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

you can flash sailfish os 2.1.4.14 community to your gemini pda as 2nd or 3rd boot option. Try it.

PartitionTool on Planet Computers

News on Planet Computers support page

... have fun ...

Re: Gemini PDA (the return of the Psion Series 5MX)
 

Oficial partnership between Jolla and Planet Computers will bring Sailfish 3 in late 2018, meanwhile Sailfish 2.2 community edition is already available :