Messages

1

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Re: Gemini won’t charge

« on: January 14, 2022, 08:55:49 am »

I hope there is..... Needing a battery so soon is disappointing.

Mine has lasted a little longer but it has failed quite quickly, and considering how little it has been used it is certainly very disappointing!  Only a few days ago mine suddenly would not charge beyond 85% full and then the following day I used it until it had totally run out (thinking it might do a battery recalibration).  I tried to charge it up again but it would go no further than 58% and in fact if I left it longer it actually started dropping to 57% and then 56%...  Then whilst using it, while it was still plugged in to the charger, it actually lost charge!  I gave up once had dropped to 15%.  I've tried other chargers but to no avail.  On top of the fact that you could never do full proper backups (confirmed by Planet Computers) and the fact it failed to answer phone calls using the side button after only months, (it would only answer if it was open so you could click on 'Accept') I have now given up and it will be scrapped.  I'm not going to waste any more time or money on it.  It is such a shame as I considered it well made, especially for their first device, but the software never quite did what was promised and it was never well supported as they moved on to the Cosmos and Slide versions before really sorting the Gemini.

2

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Re: Blue/Red LED above Tab key?

« on: September 22, 2021, 11:33:03 am »

Thank you for that gymbo, I must have activated caps lock accidentally without realising it.  And even on Page 54 it doesn't mention that when activated the red LED is lit.  It probably shows how little I have used the Gemini since it arrived and then I found out it could not do any auto backup and restore, confirmed by Planet Computers.  To me a computer without a backup facility is simply no good.  I also found I could not rely on Agenda like I did with the Psion, so I went back to using my 3mx and the Gemini is mostly unused, which is a shame as I thought it was well made and looked good, but the software has let it down.  I did list all the faults with it at one time for PC but I've never heard of a software update to say any of them have been fixed. Mine is still Agenda v1.1.2 last updated 5th Oct 2018.  Thanks again.

3

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Blue/Red LED above Tab key?

« on: September 21, 2021, 05:27:01 pm »

On the Gemini PDA there is a small LED just above the Tab key and to the left of the keyboard letter Q key, and I would like to know what this LED is supposed to indicate. I've checked all through the manual (and for any posting here on the forum) and the only reference to it is on page 19 where it is labelled as the Power LED. Yet it doesn't light up when the Gemini is connected to a charger - there is a red LED for that in the top section, seen on the left through the same slit in the case as the Alert and Wireless LEDs. On Page 18 of the manual that is labelled Power LED too. So is the label on page 19 a mistake? I can't see any explanation for this blue/red LED. When you first switch the Gemini on, it lights up blue whilst booting, but then goes out. Normally it stays off, but occasionally it lights up red, although I have never found what triggers it to come on and there is no warning message. It can stay on a long time. In fact, often the only way I have managed to get it to go out again, is to restart the Gemini! So what exactly is this LED supposed to indicate, particularly when it is red? Anyone know? Thank you.

4

Gemini PDA - Android / Backing up before upgrade to 8.1

« on: July 07, 2019, 05:52:59 am »

The backup solution in android is indeed abysmal. adb backup -never- works for me. You can copy some, but not all, data via adb, but if you actually want to do a full nandroid backup (the only thing that's worked well for me) or use titanium backup, you need root.

Rooting with Magisk lets you hide that you have root so you can use banking apps. I think you can also just flash twrp with sp_flashtool without rooting and do a nandroid backup that way.

Best of luck!

Thanks for your reply 'amsomniac' and confirmation that it is not just me that finds Android and its means to backup data extremely poor....

Update 7th June:  I have just seen a 'backup & reset' screen shot from an Android phone and it is different to the Gemini.  It has a 'Back up now' button for a start, and then it shows all the active backups and individually lists the last backs up done for each of them!  Why does the Gemini not have this?  Is the Gemini version of Android 7 faulty in this respect?  This is such an important thing, it should be the first fault to be rectified and immediately.

I find it slightly disturbing after all this time that no one else has commented about backing up, or not being able to backup AND restore with their Gemini and Android.  It seems hardly anyone bothers to backup using these Android 'smart' phones if my family members are anything to go by!  I've asked each of them how they back up and how often and the answers seems to be no one does!!  I've also asked a couple of friends and they both lost all their data when a previous phone failed and they could not get at the old information, to install it on their new phone, so it is not just the Gemini here.

I emailed Planet support about this problem with backing up and their answer is even more worrying.  I quote:
'We know for a fact that the device will take backups with Google when they're enabled. However, there is currently no option to restore those backups due to the Google setup process being replaced with our keyboard configuration software. As a lot of users had issues with configuring their keyboard due to Google's process not being designed for physical layouts, hence the change we've applied. We're looking at merging both the Google and our own setup in a future update which will allow users to restore google backups. Currently, you wouldn't be able to recover a Google backup.'

They do say that of course you can download again any Apps you had from the Google play store, even ones you've paid for, without being charged again; but that is not much comfort if you lose all the App data you have built up over a period.

Until this ability to be able to back up AND restore my data to the Gemini, I'm afraid it is not a great deal of use as far as I'm concerned and I've now switched back to my trusty Psion 3mx.  I love the Gemini physically as in that respect it is really a modern Psion, but without proper integrated software and the ability to backup and restore any data, it is worthless as a PDA or mini computer which is what I really hoped for.  The mobile phone use was just incidental.

I can now see why the iPhone is so much better than any Android smart phone even if their hardware is better or more advanced, because the ease of backing up or restoring is so important, and the Apple software makes that so simple and straight forward.  I've used Mac desktops and laptops for years and whilst there are things I don't like about them or their total controlling element, at least they integrate superbly and if you use an iPhone, then backups are assured.  I hate touch screen devices and wanted a proper keyboard and the Gemini gave me that and seemed perfect... until I really found out that the software was so lacking.

Maybe I'll have to try running it with a Linux OS full time.  Does anyone know if that is really an option, especially for someone who knows almost nothing about Linux or how to set up a full time Linux OS computer?

5

Gemini PDA - Android / Backing up before upgrade to 8.1

« on: June 05, 2019, 01:08:33 pm »

Why is it that I don't seem to be able to back up my Gemini? I have searched the in-built storage area for the data files but can't even find any relevent files! For instance we have some Gemini Apps - Data, Agenda, Notes, and they each must have files containing the data I have input, yet I can't find any files that seem to relate to any of them. I have 'Back up' set in settings, yet there seems to be no way to say 'back up now' or where you want to put it. You can't tell if any backup has been made or where, or when...

Thanks for any help.

The backup solution in android is indeed abysmal. adb backup -never- works for me. You can copy some, but not all, data via adb, but if you actually want to do a full nandroid backup (the only thing that's worked well for me) or use titanium backup, you need root.

Rooting with Magisk lets you hide that you have root so you can use banking apps. I think you can also just flash twrp with sp_flashtool without rooting and do a nandroid backup that way.

Best of luck!

Thanks for your reply 'amsomniac' and confirmation that it is not just me that finds Android and its means to backup data extremely poor.  I have dealt with computers a long time, and learnt the lesson about regular backups, which I do with all my other machines, but I simply can't find any way to do it with Android.  I've even tried the recovery tool saving a backup with that and trying to restore from it, but it says the backup is corrupted!  So much for that.  This all seems to imply that no one with these Android machines bothers to backup very much.  If that is the case, it's no wonder I hear and read reports of people having problems losing data and information, or not being able to transfer information from old phones to new ones.

I have now decided to limit my apps to ones like Open Office where I can see and easily back up my files.  It may limit the usefulness of the Gemini, but at least I will know my information is safe.

Thanks also for the tip about Magisk being able to hide that the Gemini is rooted as that may be the long-term way to get around this problem.  I wanted to have access to banks, yet I was thinking that rooting might be the answer to making it behave more like a computer.

Update 7th June:  I have just seen a 'backup & reset' screen shot from an Android phone and it is different to the Gemini.  It has a 'Back up now' button for a start, and then it shows all the active backups and individually lists the last backs up done for each of them!  Why does the Gemini not have this?  Is the Gemini version of Android 7 faulty in this respect?  This is such an important thing, it should be the first fault to be rectified and immediately.

6

Gemini PDA - Android / Backing up before upgrade to 8.1

« on: May 12, 2019, 05:24:02 pm »

Why is it that I don't seem to be able to back up my Gemini? I have searched the in-built storage area for the data files but can't even find any relevent files! For instance we have some Gemini Apps - Data, Agenda, Notes, and they each must have files containing the data I have input, yet I can't find any files that seem to relate to any of them. I have 'Back up' set in settings, yet there seems to be no way to say 'back up now' or where you want to put it. You can't tell if any backup has been made or where, or when.

Owing to a problem I recently tried a factory reset to see if I could get the phone button working again, (it didn't but that is another problem) and when I tried to retrieve my App data, it claimed there was no backup and I had to input everything again! Now we are finally going to get Android 8.1 so I wanted to do a backup before upgrading... but how? The only files I can find are ones that I have put on the Gemini myself either transferred from my home computer, or with my Open Office App which makes 'normal' files just like on my home computer (and are interchangeable). Backing up should be fundamental and simple but this Android OS seems to be nothing like a conventional computer.

If I can't do a simple thing like backing up my files locally (on my own system - I don't trust or use 'cloud things') then I might as well stay with my old Psion, which has worked fine for years, is still working fine, and I can back that up to my main computer whenever I like, as well as checking any of the files I've backed up. And before anyone says 'but the only way is to backup to your Google account, or you must back up to the cloud', what about all those with Wi-Fi only machines? They must have a way to back up locally surely?

My phone is not rooted as I read that access to any on-line bank will not accept a rooted phone.

As for the 8.1 upgrade, I saw it briefly flag up on my Gemini yesterday, but today it seems to have disappeared! If I do a firmware check is says I am up to date. What is going on?

Thanks for any help.

7

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Gemini silver button not answering phone

« on: April 09, 2019, 04:37:26 am »

I'm afraid I don't have any ideas or suggestions that you haven't already tried.

The Android 8 update could arrive any time now.  But Planet are generally quite helpful, so it's well worth contacting them.  According to their web site, their address for general enquiries is .  Or there's a web form here.

Thanks for the reply Andy, even if it only confirms I haven't missed anything else I could try.

It looks like the problem has just got worse anyway, as this morning the Gemini has got stuck trying to boot up!  It got as far as showing the Penguin on the right and the planet symbol with 3 spheres (stationary) in the middle plus the small blue LED being lit on the left of the keyboard, and then it has frozen!  Nothing will alter it or switch it off including closing the case (I can still see the blue LED is on when the case is closed).  So I'm going to have to wait for the battery to run down I suppose.  Pity, it was almost full when it happened so it will probably take a long while.  Just my luck as I've now had the email saying the 8.1 OS upgrade is probably due this week.

I have emailed Planet Computers so we will see what they have to say.  I'll update this when it is hopefully resolved.

I have a different problem with my silver button: because I'm not signed in to Google, it doesn't start the voice assistant, so most of the time it does nothing at all.  (It does, however, answer/reject/end calls, so I know it works.)  Does anyone know of a way to get it to do something more useful?

Didn't some Android update recently stop the voice assistance working from that button?  Maybe the 8.1 update will solve that issue.

Roy

8

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Gemini silver button not answering phone

« on: April 05, 2019, 04:16:01 pm »

I received my Gemini in the middle of June last year, and since I had never had a smart phone before, had never used any Android at all.  Initially I simply tried to get to know it (not helped by a lack of a manual until the pdf was available!) and set it up as close as I could to my trusty Psion 3mx which I have been using since I bought it in 1998!  I tried a few Apps but since I didn't want any adverts I also got rid of quite a few fairly quickly.  By December I was reasonably happy and so I obtained a SIM and installed that and started using it as a mobile phone as well.  It used to answer as soon as I pressed the silver button and all seemed fine.  Then around February it stopped answering the phone!  If I managed to press the button as soon as it rang it simply ended the call!  If it rang three times before I got to it, it seemed to end the call on its own.  I hadn't changed any settings since it was working, and have nothing like that set up.  So I tried having the Gemini open in front of me and calling the number.  As soon as it rang the screen would show 'Accept' or 'Dismiss' and if I clicked on 'Accept' I could answer the call and it would then proceed normally.

First I wondered if the button had failed but if I set it to activate Google Assistant it works, so it appears the button is working and therefore it must be in the phone software.  Would others agree with that?

I tried a number of things like getting rid of other software which might have been causing it, but nothing worked, so eventually I did a factory reset, and didn't load anything else at all, and then tried the phone, but it still would not answer when I pressed the silver side button.  As I needed the phone during March I took the SIM out and put it into my old Nokia so at least I could answer any calls to me, and started using my 3mx again for the other things I needed.  Since the Android 8 update was supposed to be due I thought I would wait until after the update and see if it cured the fault, but because there is still no mention of the version 8 update yet, I thought I would ask here if anyone has any ideas on what has happened and how I get it to work again.  Has anyone else experienced this?  Since there has been no other post on this that I have seen, I guess not.

BTW, it has not been dropped or banged in any way, and it is kept in a padded case except when I'm using it, so I don't think I have caused this in any way.

I haven't notified Planet Computers yet, but I am about to do so.  What is the best way to contact them?  Thanks for any help.

9

Gemini PDA - Android / Planet's Agenda app released

« on: July 17, 2018, 04:26:43 am »

Hello,
I'm currently testing. And I noticed that I can
select the strike out function but it seems not working.
Does any of you have the same problem? Or am I doing something wrong?

dogomalaika

No, I have the same problem here.  In fact not only does the strike out function not work, neither do any of the colour selections.  When you are selecting any of the colour or strike out settings, it shows in the 'entry line' but as soon as you click on 'Select' and go back to the calender view, you lose those selections!  I just assumed it is not working fully yet.  Or do others have this working?  I don't have any other Calendar App in use (to my knowledge) but I do have Agenda preference setting 'Sync to PC' (Planet Computer) ticked.

Roy

10

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Screen Hinge Tightness RESOLVED

« on: July 14, 2018, 06:07:05 am »

Glad it helped you! i was sooo excited once i figured it out, the thing feels like a tank now.

I think this is something they can tighten up in QC while manufacturing. does anyone know how to get a hold of PC? id gladly assist them if i could. my background is manufacturing and engineering, it would be awesome to help this project in any way.

Can I ask one thing?  Was your Gemini one of the early numbers?  My order was quite a late one (over 5800) which I think was towards the end of the crowd funding project.  I got mine around mid-June, and right from the start it has been fine regarding both the keyboard and the hinge, so I assume these original quality issues have been sorted by the time mine was produced - unless yours is a high number too; which might then indicate a variable quality issue?

Thanks for sharing and the photos which are always useful.

11

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Official Gemini PDA User Guide

« on: July 05, 2018, 04:23:01 am »

You may not but I'm sure there are many that would benefit from a proper user guide.  I've never used a smart phone or an android phone or Linux, so a user guide to the machine itself would have certainly been helpful at the start when the Gemini arrived.  It has taken me a month to get even reasonably conversant with it, and there are still things I don't really understand. (just one example: why is there a physical keyboard AND virtual keyboard and what is the correct set up. We have a physical keyboard so I don't see a need for a virtual one...)  I am also a person who reads manuals before diving in and causing problems through guesswork, or trial & error.  I worked in the motor trade for years and always read all the manuals cover to cover, and consequently knew how every feature worked - which we needed to know as owners rarely read them and then got in such a mess which we had to sort out.  They also never knew lots of things their cars were capable of, even when selling them a few years later! (and when you explained things they often stated they wish they'd known from the start)

The reason there is an on-screen keyboard is because the phone ships with android which is normally used on touch screen phones and the Android hasn't been customised for the Gemini enough to suppress it for every function. Planet may deal with that in a later release.

Thanks for that explanation, Andrew.  It makes more sense to me now.

The problem with the user manual for modern gadgets is that the OS is likely to be updated / changed quite a lot in a relatively short time and stuff in a printed manual is not going to match up. This is one of the reasons that modern phones don't ship with manuals.

I fully understand these constantly changing things making manuals out of date quickly, and I've always thought the pdf type manual is better as it can be corrected and updated much quicker.

A car doesn't change much over its life, though I never read their manuals either.

Well I've worked in the motor trade over 45 years and I'm sorry to disagree here but cars do change even during their life, and in fact I could point out manuals which were out of date even when the car was first introduced, because the manufacturer made some late changes, and with preparation and publishing lead times the manuals had already been written!  However, let's leave that topic as we are really discussing the Gemini here!

Thanks again for the explanation, and I hope eventually to have Linux on mine too, but don't feel confident enough yet to re-flash it, plus I'm not sure that any of the flavours of Linux is really ready for the gemini yet.  I quite like the sound and possibilities of Sailfish but only when version 3 comes out.

12

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Accessories?

« on: July 04, 2018, 12:12:40 pm »

This one is actually better I think:

https://kawaya.com/iep-norimaki-gmn.html

This looks just like what I've been wanting for my Gemini, a case that contains and protects it but once opened allows the Gemini to be opened and used without removing it from the case. The problem: How do we go about getting one in the U.K?

13

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Official Gemini PDA User Guide

« on: July 04, 2018, 09:39:01 am »

No phone or similar type gadget that I've purchased in the last few years has come with a user guide. At best I've seen a quick start guide.
I've never felt the need for a user guide, with what is a standard sort of phone UI, Sailfish took seconds to pick up.
Anything else is right there on the web.

Really don't see any need for a user guide, at least for my requirements.

You may not but I'm sure there are many that would benefit from a proper user guide.  I've never used a smart phone or an android phone or Linux, so a user guide to the machine itself would have certainly been helpful at the start when the Gemini arrived.  It has taken me a month to get even reasonably conversant with it, and there are still things I don't really understand. (just one example: why is there a physical keyboard AND virtual keyboard and what is the correct set up. We have a physical keyboard so I don't see a need for a virtual one...)  I am also a person who reads manuals before diving in and causing problems through guesswork, or trial & error.  I worked in the motor trade for years and always read all the manuals cover to cover, and consequently knew how every feature worked - which we needed to know as owners rarely read them and then got in such a mess which we had to sort out.  They also never knew lots of things their cars were capable of, even when selling them a few years later! (and when you explained things they often stated they wish they'd known from the start)

I've seen the same thing with computers in general and no doubt it is even worse with smart phones.  Most owners won't know half of what they can do if they understood what they'd bought.  Companies update software and change the OS so often that people haven't even found what the old version could do before it gets changed!  What's the saying '90% of owners don't know or use 90% of their computers'.

I've been using my Psions for over 25 years in total and still occasionally refer to the manual when I've forgotten something.

I've also had to feed back to a manufacturer when their manual has been incorrect or mis-leading, so whilst they are important, you should be careful never to trust them entirely if it doesn't seem right.  Experience will often tell you when they have something wrong, and needs correcting.

I would be happy with a pdf version, and these make more sense anyway since they can be corrected, updated or modified quicker and easier, as well as being cheaper to get them to the owners.  And when the first owner has 'lost' or ruined the original, at least the subsequent owner can download another copy.

14

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Gemini PDA - Accessories - Pouches/Covers

« on: July 03, 2018, 06:04:26 pm »

If you intend the Gemini to be a smartphone too, in constant use, then this case will probably be too much trouble to keep accessing it.  I will be using my Gemini primarily as a PDA (to replace my long serving Psions) so quick constant access is not a concern.

You obviously used your Psion less frequently than I did

Maybe, maybe not, but I think I didn't make myself clear, and your statement is past tense - my use of my Psion is on going whilst I'm getting to know not only the Gemini but also Android and a smart phone, neither of which I have had before.  I also drive to my jobs with all my equipment, so I cannot possibly use it whilst driving which means it only gets used at the locations.

In the case of my Psion I don't have to take it out of its case to use it.  It is held in the case with Velcro, so it is very quick to take it out, unzip the case, open the Psion and use it.  I have been doing this for the past 20 years and continue still.

With the Gemini, I have to take it out of the case, put the case somewhere (usually back in my pocket) then open the Gemini to use it; and then the reverse to put it back in my pocket.  That takes longer than the Psion.  If I find a slim case that I can Velcro the Gemini into, to use like I do my Psion, then I will buy it, but so far I haven't seen anything suitable.

My Gemini, too, gets whipped out umpteen times a day: for looking stuff up in Wikipedia, a dictionary, &c; for reading books in the loo; for noting down ideas and to-dos; for playing quick games; for accessing sites like this one when commuting (Guess what I'm typing this on!), for playing music ditto, and an increasing list of other things too.

A case would prove far too slow and restrictive for me.

Yes I can understand that, since there isn't a case as far as I'm aware where you can use it still in its case like the Psion.

But perhaps the beauty of the Gemini is that different people can use it in different ways...

I would certainly agree with that Andy.  I'm just happy someone had the courage to make a modern day PDA.

Roy

15

Gemini PDA - Android / Don't show taskbar when opening

« on: June 30, 2018, 11:00:54 pm »

Those settings only work when you are waking it from sleep, when you re-start or boot up the Gemini I think it will always behave like you describe. If you close the Gemini with an app open, it will open with the same app when you open/wake it again.

(I believe there have been similar setting-type behavior in the Nokia Communicator-series, and maybe in the Psion as well, but that I don't remember, as I unfortunately only had it for a short time before the cable broke...)

(It seems that you are talking about STARTING your Gemini, but if you re just waking it, and those settings still have no effect, there is apparently something wrong...)

Thanks 'gymbo', it seems I have misuderstood those settings.  It is only when booting/starting up from off that the taskbar appears every time.  When waking from sleep it responds correctly with no taskber, so all is working as it should.

Roy