Messages

1

Gemini PDA - Android / 8.1 observations

« on: June 07, 2019, 05:54:41 pm »

Con:
 - because of full-screen, I have to use Alt-Tab a lot. Thus triggers Caps all too often.

Fn + A and Fn + D replicate two of the navigation buttons.

- Nova ceased to function

Nova Launcher works fine for me with 8.1. Have you got the latest version of Nova?

--
RJL

2

Gemini PDA - Android / 8.1 observations

« on: May 15, 2019, 09:13:16 pm »

• My device serial number (Settings > System > About phone > Status) is back to 01234567890ABCDEF. Oh, well.

Snap!

Hey, me too! Not seen that before. I wonder if anyone still has their original serial number being reported?

It was like this originally, when I first got my Gemini (I was in first 1000).

But a previous patch fixed this so that it displayed a real (looking) serial number. However, 8.1 seems to have reverted to the original behaviour.

3

Gemini PDA - Android / 8.1 observations

« on: May 13, 2019, 05:38:42 pm »

OTA stopped in the middle of the download, so rather than faff about with that, I did a manual update. Followed instructions and it worked.

Boringly, there doesn't seem to be much difference of substance. Settings menus are a bit different, but doesn't seem to be much that I want to do different. Thinking about removing the android navigation icons and just using keys to navigate. But I've got so used to the icons being there (which I originally hated), that I am a bit lost without them.

Google Maps persistently crashed on start up with the previous Android, but it now seems to work fine with 8.1.

• The physical keyboard works, including localized keys, but FN+Sym or Fn+emoji consistently crashes the Gemini keyboard app. Home and End finally seems to work in my text editor of choice, though.

Oh yay! You are right, HOME, END, PG UP and PG DN, finally seem to work!

Also, FN+Sym and FN+emoji crashes for me too. No great loss as I only invoke those menus accidentally, but would be nice to get this patched.

• My device serial number (Settings > System > About phone > Status) is back to 01234567890ABCDEF. Oh, well.

Snap!

4

Gemini PDA - Hardware / A year with the Gemini

« on: April 23, 2019, 05:21:19 pm »

I've had mine for about 13 months now.

Mostly use it for work stuff, so use Outlook and Word on it, because that is what work is tied to. Also use the web browser. The other main thing I use it for is playing old text adventure games. Mostly via dosbox.

Oh, and the other thing that I find it quite useful for is moving large(ish) files around. As I can plug in other people's USB sticks and copy from them onto the Gemini, to put somewhere more sensible later.

I mainly use my Gemini when travelling. I usually fly a couple of times a week for work, and on other days commute by bus. On a plane or a bus it is so much more convenient than a full laptop. Sometimes I use it in meetings, but it's usually more convenient to use a laptop for those.

I lost the leather sleeve somewhere about 6 months ago, but the hard case is fine. The little rubber strip along the case has bumps in it, but doesn't seem to have got worse since they first appeared. The only key that I have had trouble with is the right shift key, which can be a bit temperamental if the Gemini is not on a hard surface.

5

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Unstable Android Apps

« on: February 27, 2019, 08:09:33 pm »

Google maps : crashes as soon as you touch a link for more information on something like a restaurant or other landmark

Google maps crashes with me too. It started to happen about 6 months ago, originally it worked fine. So, I guess something to do with an update either of Google maps or the Gemini software / firmware.

I spent sometime trying to resolve the problem, mostly uninstalling and reinstalling things, but nothing seemed to help.

However, I did find that Maps Go. A different, similar mapping app from Google works fine.

6

Gemini PDA - Android / Planet's Agenda app released

« on: July 07, 2018, 11:20:36 pm »

You can find it on Google Store...

Is there a way that anyone can see to make this sync with MS Outlook? (needed for work).

7

Gemini PDA - Android / DOS Box for Android

« on: July 05, 2018, 12:17:52 am »

Magic DosBox is the best Android port I've ever used.

I did try Magic DosBox and it seems good if you don't have a keyboard.

But I think that if you have a keyboard (as you do with a Gemini), then aFreeBox is better, as it just gives you a dos prompt from which you can do whatever you want (except type "/") as if you were running dos.

8

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Hub quiescent load

« on: June 03, 2018, 11:07:21 pm »

So I was wondering if the Planet Computers hub has a lower or similar quiescent load and if power gets through to the Gemini?

The Planet Computers Hub is the about the same, uses about 8% per hour. Which I estimated similarly to you, plugging in the hub (no devices connected to the Hub), putting the device into Flight Mode and shutting the device, and then looking at battery consumption after an hour. Doesn't matter which Gemini USB port you plug the hub into, similar draw either way.

By comparison, putting the device into Flight Mode and shutting the device consumes ~0% per hour, so it is definitely the hub.

You cannot charge via the Plant Computers Hub either. But Planet Computers never claimed that you could, so I guess this is "as designed".

9

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Weak Wifi/Bluetooth

« on: May 28, 2018, 11:54:52 pm »

...it seems that the device has very weak wifi/bluetooth range.

No problems for me with wifi range.

Have connected to numerous wifi systems (took my Gemini on an overseas trip recently) and had no problem connecting anywhere. Seems to have similar range etc as my laptop.

10

Gemini PDA - Android / New Android update available

« on: May 18, 2018, 09:49:50 am »

It downloaded and installed fine for me (X25 version on Android only device). It did have quite bad (suspiciously bad even) grammar in its messages, so potentially originates from MediaTek instead of Planet Computers.

Not obvious what it has changed.

11

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Gemini (First batch) aroma

« on: April 30, 2018, 05:18:06 pm »

If you have a Gemini, do you notice the same?

No.

12

Gemini PDA - Android / Hide or remove navigation bar

« on: April 27, 2018, 07:40:08 pm »

Just searching through the various forums on the web (including this one) and cannot see if anybody has worked out a way to hide or remove the navigation bar on the right of the screen to recover the valuable real estate.

The video player hides the navigation bar on the Gemini. So, I suppose any other apps that utilise "immersive mode" would work too.

13

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Gemini PDA Gen 2 Features Request

« on: April 24, 2018, 06:43:50 pm »

I have used my Gemini for over a month. My main usage has been MS productivity software (as that fits in with my employer's software requirements), e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel.

Plus I use the Gemini for a bit of internet browsing, playing morning workout videos when I am travelling, and playing old games via emulators. 80s computer games work really well on the Gemini as they mostly do not assume (or often even implement) a mouse, thus work properly when driven via a keyboard only.

I have a 4G version, but have no need for a phone so have not used any phone functions.

Pretty much there is nothing that I really want or miss on the 1st gen. Planet Computers have done a fantastic job.

I would expect a new version to have more RAM, storage and battery; but only because prices tend to drop and software requirements tend to inflate. There is nothing wrong with  the provided RAM, storage and battery.

I definitely would not want to see anything that messes with the exterior. Exterior mounted cameras, notifications, etc will mess with the lovely aesthetic of the device.

However:

• A couple of user-configurable buttons on the short sides of the exterior would be nice, but not essential.
• A more easily accessible SD card slot would also be nice, but again not essential.

14

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Question about Gemini's USB-C cable

« on: April 24, 2018, 05:33:20 pm »

As you can see it's a standard USB-C lead, connecting to USB-A for charging from any USB outlet...Otherwise, it can function for connecting the Gemini to any other regular USB device.

Yes, this is exactly the case.

You get a normal USB-C to USB-A cable and USB-A to regional power-plug adaptor. The supplied power-plug adaptor is designed for rapid charging, so if you connect to another USB charger (or your desktop, etc) you only charge at a lower rate.

On the other hand, there are only a limited variety of regional power-plug adaptors available. So, you (like me) might not be able to use the supplied adaptor in your home region.

15

Gemini PDA - Android / DOS Box for Android

« on: April 22, 2018, 02:47:19 am »

Hi all,

I'm after a good version of DOS Box for Android to run on my Gemini. Does anyone have any suggestions?

So far I have tried gDosBox and aFreeBox.

gDosBox does not map all the keys on the Gemini keyboard properly.

aFreeBox maps all the keys properly. Except the [/,] key, which is irritating as it means it is impossible to type a "/". aFreeBox also does not remember its state if you switch to another app (which is a total pain; whereas gDosBox does remember its state).

I'm not sure if these keyboard mapping problems are Gemini issues or issues with the apps. The keyboard maps OK with other apps, so I'm thinking it's a problem with these DOS Box apps.

Anyway, thanks for your suggestions if you have any.