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« on: September 08, 2020, 08:25:29 am »
Hi all,
I've had my Cosmo since beginning of July. It's now time to share with you my experiences and thoughts of it.
Unfortunately I never owned a Psion (though I dreamt of I as a student). However, I was a very keen Nokia Communicator owner for years (until they were discontinued). Back in Symbian days, I hoped that the Communicator would evolve into a device that would have all the best features of a phone and a computer. The most invaluable apps to me were the web browser, calendar, messaging and office apps, though I have to admit that the quality of the latter was not that good. Unfortunately Nokia developed the Communicator in a wrong direction by adopting S60 middleware and UI.
Android seems to do a much better job at that. It is a feature-rich platform, there are thousands of third-party apps to choose from and the device HW is capable of performing the tasks (which was not always the case with Symbian FW and HW used in the 2000's). Sure, there are certain privacy concerns but I still think Android with Google stuff is the best fit for me. I was a bit concerned about how apps behave in landscape but it seems that for most apps it is not a real issue. Key shortcuts could be better supported but all in all it works well.
You can find virtually any app for any specific use case from Google Play. My recommendations are Business Calendar (though it is not optimized for keyboard use), HiperCalcPro, OfficeSuite & File Commander (Mobisystems). I store my files in OneDrive and I do have occasional issues in syncing edited office files back to cloud from OfficeSuite. For web and email I currently use Kiwi browser and Email - Lightning fast and secure mail from Edison but I am not completely satisfied with their UI. For launcher, Nova Launcher was an easy choice based on several recommendations in this forum. I especially like the possibility to add file shortcuts to the home screen and to modify the app/file icons and captions. WhatsApp use is cumbersome as the actual app is configured in my primary phone and I need to use a third party app to mirror messages. Planet apps? A brief glance at them was enough to tell me that I'd better install more professionally crafted 3rd party apps instead.
As for customization, I set the dpi to 600 and then set the font a bit larger in settings and also in some apps. I removed the command buttons for more real estate. I use the split screen feature a lot. It is pretty easy to use. I have not found any third party app switcher to replace the horrible factory one - is there any available?
Keyboard is by far the best mobile keyboard I have ever used. The Commies did not come even close. I swapped scandic letters Ä and Ö of my Fin/Swe keyboard with FinQwerty. The keyboard background light should be integrated with the screen brightness and ambient sensor. Now it is tedious to switch it on/off. If I only could create an easier key shortcut for it. Actually the easiest way could be to couple it with the of Esc / Fn-Esc (screen on/off) in dark conditions (user configurable setting). The keyboard light brightness should actually be adjusted less bright when it gets darker but maybe it is too much to require for that sophisticated a feature. As regards the inner screen, it is a bit hard to read outdoors.
I have noticed I tend to do many more things now with Cosmo for the pure fun, though I would have a Windows laptop available, too (and often it would be easier to do a task with the laptop). I acquired the Connectivity Kit and I tested that all the outputs work, including LAN. I have used HDMI output a lot with an external display or TV. I can't stop thinking if it would be possible to genuinely replace one's PC with a device like Cosmo? At the office you would simply connect it with the display and peripherals. The HDMI output quality could be a bit better, though. Bluetooth mouse works seamlessly. I have also remote-controlled my Galaxy from Cosmo over Bluetooth to write messages. Printing via USB is possible, you just need a driver for the printer (I recommend PrinterShare).
I charge the battery approximately once a day; battery time could be 1,5-2 days with a bit more moderate use. I do not have a SIM card on Cosmo; neither do I use CODI as it is not really needed in PDA use. However, I watch (too much) youtube or TV programs which obviously are big drainers.
Cosmo has worked for me reliably. I think I only had one reboot since July (of course I have rebooted it myself a few times). In my use, the performance is sufficient (better than in my work PC). Codi update was a PITA but as with so many of you, it then finally succeeded easily. You just first needed to bang your head over a dozen times and return to the task the following day.
My biggest worries concern the long-term maintenance. Does Cosmo HW stay intact (I also hope not to drop or wet it). Another, bigger worry is the future FW updates: how many years can I use Cosmo before it gets a real security risk or the 3rd party apps won't get supported anymore. As a product itself it could be a long relationship as it is rather unique. It is pretty unlikely that any major OEM would introduce such a form factor now that the dual or fold displays are in fashion.
To sum it up, Cosmo has in many aspects fulfilled or even exceeded my expectations. In the current use as an ultra portable computer it has not let me down.
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