OESF Portables Forum
Model Specific Forums => Gemini PDA => Gemini PDA - Hardware => Topic started by: zaurusrex on September 13, 2017, 01:22:16 am
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[img]https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/c_limit,w_620/v1505225820/kzcfbmirbotuoh3mxzuq.jpg\" border=\"0\" class=\"linked-image\" /]
Four Gemini prototypes have arrived and Planet Computers will be showing them this week at the MWC exhibition.
Source: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/gemini-p...ne#/updates/all (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/gemini-pda-android-linux-keyboard-mobile-device-phone#/updates/all)
Also a list of final hardware specifications has been released.
[img]https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/c_limit,w_620/v1505224341/eihvy95pgkezvdrgws1m.png\" border=\"0\" class=\"linked-image\" /]
And also a brief hardware preview article (https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/09/11/gemini_psion_alike_pre_production_prototype_handson/) from The Register.
[img]https://regmedia.co.uk/2017/09/10/debian.jpg\" border=\"0\" class=\"linked-image\" /]
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You beat me to it
Nice to see updates being constantly published. From the Register's article I have the feeling they are putting a lot of effort into this device, even on smaller details.
The final specs aren't that different from the initial ones. The display has now a lower resolution than the planned one (2160x1080 vs. 2880×1440), but at least it's a bit bigger (5.99 vs. 5.7 inches). I won't miss the NFC and fingerprint modules, I wouldn't have used them anyway, pity about the lower battery capacity though. The updated CPU is a nice bonus, too. The Register article mentions that "all models support an eSIM", while the specifications list mentions the eSIM only on the LTE model; does this mean that all the Geminis will mount the LTE chipset, and the only difference will be the SIM holder being soldered on or not?
I like the new 5 LEDs, the device will be probably most of the time kept closed by an average user, so they'll be most welcomed. I can imagine myself setting them for incoming calls, SMS, WhatsApp, Skype and maybe for low battery indication, if there's not already a dedicated led for it.
Worth mentioning is the recent news of David Potter joining the Planet team, which will make the Gemini even more look like the spiritual successor of the Psion PDAs.
I have not yet found any photo from the MWC exhibition online, they will probably appear soon.
Varti
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Yes, I agree the Gemini is progressing well. There were doubts about the device carrying the larger battery capacity (8000mAh) but the reduced capacity is not too disappointing since they are discussing plans to offer the extended battery add-on.
Good catch about the SIM slot, I guess we'll have to wait and see what the difference is between the Gemini models. Hopefully we will get more details from the videos.
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Yes, looking good overall....
Too bad it was so expensive to get into the MWC show....so close, yet so far.....
Only real difference between the two models from what I've seen is one has 4G and other only WiFi.
Definitely tempting....although I'm quite happy with my Pocket right now...
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Too bad it was so expensive to get into the MWC show....so close, yet so far.....
Too bad I didn't discover this earlier:
https://it.linkedin.com/company/simcom (https://it.linkedin.com/company/simcom)
SimCom is (was) giving away free tickets for the event, tomorrow will be the last day. If you happen to be free tomorrow you might want to try to send them a last-minute email.
EDIT: SimCom is Shanghai based, and it's 9:30 PM now there, so I doubt they'll answer you straight away, but maybe you might be lucky and get an answer tonight (in West Coast's timezone).
Varti
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A new video has been published on the Gemini's Indiegogo page showing a first prototype functionality demo with these functionalities:
- Gemini PDA keyboard function within apps
- mobile and Skype calls
- remote SSH
- Psion-like application bar and screen "sleep"/"wake" commands
- HDMI video cable adapter
https://vimeo.com/237116357 (https://vimeo.com/237116357)
The keyboard seems to be a bit wobbly, but it has been explained that the unit in the video uses a pre-production outside shell, and that final tooling for the metal covers is scheduled for the 3rd week of October.
Varti
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Looking pretty good now...
Although I don't care for Android....
Really want to see a video running Debian or other linux distro...
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Really want to see a video running Debian or other linux distro...
Me too, I have now posted a request in the video's comments.
Varti
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Great I would love to see Debian on it. I’m impressed with how far Planet have gotten the Gemini going in such a short time. Getting Sir David on board is icing on the cake.