Messages

1

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Replacement keyboard mat fixed my problem

« on: April 13, 2018, 04:32:23 pm »

I was one of the first batch, and got one of the devices with a dodgy keyboard. A few days ago Robin emailed me to say he was sending a replacement "keyboard mat". This is the silicone sheet that sits under the keys, forming dome springs, membrane switches and a soft end-of-travel stop for the keys.

It arrived quickly, I replaced it quickly, and now I'm very happy indeed. It honestly feels like a completely different machine.

Words and pictures: http://blog.afandian.com/2018/04/gemini-pda/

Comparing the original and replacement keyboard mat, I haven't been able to see any difference between them, so I'm not surprised that they slipped through QA. (That said, the finished keyboard should have been caught.)

If your keyboard is wobbly or sticks, let them know and be patient.

And just because there are people moaning about customer service, I'll add my tuppence worth and say that I'm very impressed that they got this thing made. I don't mind waiting for responses, and they resolved my issue in a reasonable timeframe. Fitting a replacement part is very much part of the crowdfunding experience that I expected.

2

Gemini PDA - Android / Blank area at the bottom of the screen?

« on: March 21, 2018, 08:07:27 pm »

Solution: After a bit of faffing around, I've found that pressing the esc key solves this problems (in both cases).

Who knows what's happening. Maybe it's the gemini launcher misbehaving?

(I can understand (and support) Planet doing this by the skin of their teeth, but the lack of foresight in setting up an issue tracker is annoying. They must have known there would be issues like this.)

3

Gemini PDA - Android / Blank area at the bottom of the screen?

« on: March 21, 2018, 08:00:24 pm »

Sadly no. Here's a screenshot.

I also ran across this problem again with Bluetooth pairing. I'm 99% sure the system is somehow telling the app that the screen is only an inch high.

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When that dialogue pops up there's a brief flash of the content before it disappears.

4

Gemini PDA - Android / Blank area at the bottom of the screen?

« on: March 21, 2018, 07:04:33 pm »

When using the Notes application (I can't remember if I've seen it elsewhere), there's a huge chunk of the screen missing. The bottom 80% or so of the screen is just white blank space, so I can only see a small sliver of the app. Quitting notes and starting again doesn't help.

Has anyone else seen this? Is there a fix?

EDIT: Pressing escape makes it go away. Not a real solution or or explanation though, as it comes back.

5

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Why buy the Gemini?

« on: March 16, 2018, 07:03:47 am »

I've always found typing on a screen difficult. I literally can't get a sentence out first time on a touchscreen. Might be the dyslexic in me. My take on this is that not everyone's brain works the same way, so neither should input methods. If someone says "I can type perfectly fine on a touchscreen" my answer is "you're not everyone".

There's an exiting market sector of phones with keyboards, but it's been shrinking. My own journey over the past decade is Motorola Dext, HTZ Desire Z, Blackberry Passport, Gemini. It be unique, but it has a clear recent lineage beyond PDA nostalgia.

I've carried round a keyboard with an Android device before. It's a real faff. It often got left at home. There's a lot of value in that physical integration.

6

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Gemini keyboard key removal

« on: March 13, 2018, 09:28:28 am »

I followed Robin's advice and lifted up one of the wobbly keys. Now I have a broken ctrl key. I advise caution!

My solution to a sticking enter key and other wobbly keys is to take a very small sliver of washing up sponge and push between and under under the keys. You don't need to remove the keys to do this.

7

Gemini PDA - Android / Putty or other SSH client

« on: March 09, 2018, 06:41:39 am »

I've used ConnectBot, which is available via the F-Droid repository, so you don't need a Google account to install it. I'm very happy with it.
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8

Gemini PDA - Android / Gemini fast unlock?

« on: March 08, 2018, 05:30:06 am »

If you use the PIN code, just press the space bar, enter the number, press enter.

(If, like me, your space bar and enter key are faulty, you might mistakenly think this doesn't work!)

9

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Anyone else sees missing screws around the battery?

« on: March 07, 2018, 07:44:22 am »

FWIW All screws are in situ on my UK 4G device, top and bottom side. Backer number 5xx.

It's possible to get the bottom and hinge off with the cover tool.

10

Gemini PDA - Android / Connecting Gemini to laptop

« on: March 07, 2018, 04:32:03 am »

My mistake. I assumed it was the same for all desktop OSses.

11

Gemini PDA - Android / Connecting Gemini to laptop

« on: March 06, 2018, 12:45:42 pm »

In my experience of Android devices, including my Gemini, the Android File Transfer software works: https://www.android.com/filetransfer/ .

It doesn't actually mount as a USB filesystem, Android has a special protocol (if you look at the Android filesystem APIs, it's a lot more complicated than a single FS!). There may be drivers for Windows, but I'd start with Android File Transfer.

12

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Teardown?

« on: March 06, 2018, 09:46:58 am »

Has anyone been courageous enough to do a teardown yet? I feel squeamish just taking the cover off, but I'd love to see the insides. Especially the battery and how to remove the hinge and bottom cover.

13

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / A list of all the hardware/software issues reported so far

« on: March 05, 2018, 04:38:46 am »

Order 5xx reporting from the UK. I'm almost completely delighted with my device, but have the keyboard issue.

There's a lot of play in the keys. Looking at it, they appear to be uneven. When you place your fingertips on the keys you can rock them from side to side. The enter key has got stuck a few times when I pressed it on the 'enter' print. I could forgive wobbly keys, but not sticking.

Another cosmetic issue is that the fn key print is out of alignment. I can live with that.

I sent them a mail on Friday evening. I know they're busy, so I don't expect an immediate reply.

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