Messages

1

Gemini PDA - Android / Re: How to update Magisk to 20.4?

« on: November 20, 2020, 03:36:15 pm »

Can't update Magisk either, on trimmed stock ROM.

2

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Flashing troubles

« on: April 11, 2020, 02:57:12 pm »

Is this still unfixed?

3

Gemini PDA - Sailfish OS / New Sailfish OS 3.3.0.14

« on: April 09, 2020, 12:54:48 am »

Does it support device encryption on Gemini? Did they fix inability to answer call with side button?

How secure is Sailfish on Gemini PDA, compared to ancient Android? Does it actually bring any improvement to security in terms of addressing vulnerabilities, or is it pretty much the same as Android due to ancient kernel?

4

Astro Slide - General Discussion / Astroslide

« on: April 01, 2020, 12:35:30 pm »

I love the design, and everything about Astro, despite the MTK processor. I'd love to back it immediately after I received the e-mail. But I also feel disappointed and betrayed by Planet Computers who simply abandoned Gemini PDA which cost me $600 back in the day. The software situation is unacceptable. Fool me once - shame on you, fool me twice - shame on me. And unless I am the single person disappointed with Planet Computers complete lack of support for Gemini PDA, I bet they'll loose more in sales than it would cost them to provide Android security patches every couple months.

5

Gemini PDA - Hardware / A year with the Gemini

« on: December 25, 2019, 05:30:32 pm »

Here are my observations after over a year with Gemini PDA:

Pros:

* Although LineageOS is unavailable, after modifying stock ROM Gemini is pretty usable as a Google-free device
* Calling somebody is a pretty pleasant experience. Since I tend to answer calls regardless the caller, getting used to answering calls without seeing caller id didn't take long
* Keyboard is AMAZING!!! Best part of the device!
* The device is overall very appealing - both visually and haptically

Cons:

* It is dreadfully slow, at least in Firefox which is my one and only browser of choice
* No LineageOS support is quite disappointing
* No security updates is a very major letdown for me. This is by all means not what I expected
* Linux support is poor but I didn't expect much in this regard anyway
* No fingerprint reader was very disappointing right from the start. I personally feel Planet Computers decided to forego it purely to better justify purchase of their next model by existing customers

Overall, I do not regret purchasing Gemini. It could have been a way better device, but I am grateful for what it is and how it acted as an instant-on typewriter and second smartphone for me over the last year and some months, and more importantly it was the only keyboard smartphone with more or less acceptable performance available at the time of its purchase.

6

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Will there be security updates on Android?

« on: December 25, 2019, 04:58:10 pm »

Any news about this? It's December already, will we get Android 9 (or at least Android 8.1 security updates) next year, or should I give up?

7

Gemini PDA - Android / Degoogling Gemini PDA

« on: November 15, 2019, 09:56:38 pm »

Has anyone considered attempting installing the /e/ version of android? I only read about it earlier yesterday on zdnet.

There is no version of this ROM for Gemini PDA, and no guarantee there will ever be one.

8

Gemini PDA - Android / Degoogling Gemini PDA

« on: October 19, 2019, 04:46:43 pm »

Is your device OS still stable after debloating it?

Yes.

I found that uninstalling major Google Apps & services had "Goodroid" go wrong here. Culprits were Google Maps and Chrome if I remember correctly.

Chrome worked fine without Google Services last time I checked. Maps rely on them, on the other hand. I had native sms app crashing all the time, hence replaced it with Signal. Also, sadly had no luck with Youtube Vanced.

What about not installing Titanium (Pro) and using Magisk module Terminal debloater instead?

It should, in theory. I never tried it. Note that I froze couple MTK apps instead of uninstalling them.

9

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Will there be security updates on Android?

« on: September 25, 2019, 08:54:33 pm »

@gidds I am running the May 2019 version. this is what May 2019 version reports in About phone. So from my understanding, despite being released in May 2019, it doesn't contain any 2019 Android security patches.

PC doesn't reply to my e-mails sadly. I don't know where else to share my concerns. I'm personally used to rom updates including latest security patches every month, that's what I get on my other smartphone. At least every 6 months would be nice for Gemini, I think. Maybe I'm expecting too much, I don't have much experience with different smartphones.

10

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Will there be security updates on Android?

« on: September 23, 2019, 09:52:56 pm »

My device Gemini PDA has December 2018 Android security patch level. I do not feel secure using it. Will Gemini PDA receive Android security updates?

11

Gemini PDA - Android / Degoogling Gemini PDA

« on: August 17, 2019, 05:33:55 pm »

Sorry for late replies.

Thanks for sharing.

Very helpful!

You're welcome!

Is all the knowhow in the pictures?

Most of it, yes.

I am not able to make them bigger? What are all those apps that need to be removed, and what are the good replacements?

You should be able to make them bigger, otherwise the biggest picture is unreadable. I attached it in original quality to this post.

What are all those apps that need to be removed, and what are the good replacements?

There are way too many apps that need to be removed to have an incentive to talk about them in detail. Let's say they all rely on Google.
Good replacements are:
* Launcher - Linux CLI Launcher aka T-UI
* Browser - Mozilla Firefox
* App Store - F-Droid + Yalp Store, Aurora Store
* SMS - Signal
* Notes - ColorNote
* Gallery - Simple Gallery (from F-Droid)
* Maps - Osmand

Thanks, but I cannot read anything too. Can you give us a howto, please?

1. Install Gemini PDA Android 8.1 rooted image
2. Install Magisk Manager, flash Magisk, make sure it works as expected
3. Install Titanium Backup (preferably Pro), make sure it works as expected
4. Install apps you want/need (at least F-Droid, some browser and some SMS app, others can be installed later)
5. Use Titanium Backup to remove apps that are not included in the picture below. Apps highlighted in blue are frozen, you better freeze them too.  
6. Install remaining apps you need/want

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

I'll be happy to answer further questions if you have any.

12

Gemini PDA - Android / Degoogling Gemini PDA

« on: July 17, 2019, 06:27:42 pm »

I'd like to share my blog post on the subject. Forum threads have some helpful info but are incomplete and hard to follow, so I documented my steps on degoogling my Gemini in hope they will be of use to others