Messages

1

Gemini PDA - Hardware / speakers out of phase?

« on: January 17, 2020, 09:55:58 pm »

I am new to gemini having a unit build cca 05/2018 with latest android and the sound is for sure stereo - tested with some stereo test videos on youtube. Not sure about the phase.

I know this is an old topic, but it seems to still be a valid concern, perhaps also for the Cosmo (still haven't got mine). My Gemini is an older x25 unit, but the speaker hardware should be identical. Below are two test tones I made.

On my Gemini, when using the built-in speakers, my experience is other way around.
To me, on the built-in speakers, the apparent volume difference is very noticeable. I'd guess the short distance between them "helps" cancellation. But it's the in-phase file that sounds quieter, which suggests the speakers themselves are out of phase.

Have to admit, after reading this thread, and doing my own tests, I'm pretty confused!  I've never updated my Android, and my speakers seem to be solidly mono.  (I had never looked into this before)  I made my own test audio files (as I have Csound handy) -- 440Hz, one in phase and one inverted.  The in-phase one sounds normal; the inverted one is completely silent!  Indicating that the channels are added before passing to  the speakers as mono.  I made a third file that does first one channel then the other, and you can't hear the switch through the speakers.

Earbuds -- both via the jack and Blutooth ones -- have proper stereo that seems to be in proper phasing.

So is it later versions of  the OS that actually have stereo speakers?  (Not sure I'm concerned.  I expect I'll always use earbuds (Bluetooth ones new for Christmas! )   when sound is important.)

2

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Sudden slow charging

« on: November 25, 2019, 02:46:06 am »

Since I mostly use my Gemini at home, I've never used a lock screen, so I didn't know it could show the estimated remaining time until charged, but, well.. after a while, it does, before which it just says "charging", so I've learned something today. Thank you.

"lock screen"?   Not sure what you mean, there.  I never lock my unit, as I try to keep it close!  I get the battery status panel by swiping down from the top of the screen, and tapping the battery icon in the panel that appears.

Basically, the Gemini sends a sequence of carefully timed pulses to request a particular voltage. As far as I understand, they are sent via the same pins as the actual power, so I'd guess it's more a matter of timing glitches than bad connections, which begs the question: is it the Gemini or the charger that doesn't behave reliably? That's perhaps something someone with access to multiple Geminis and chargers could look into.

Ahh, thanks...  That makes sense -- and sounds like lots of opportunities for things to go wrong!

Thanks for all that info.  I'll have to dig.

3

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Sudden slow charging

« on: November 23, 2019, 09:36:10 pm »

Has this happened to anyone else?  Usually my fast-charging Gemini comes up to full in a couple of hours, but today I came back after about four hours and the LED was still red!  The status panel said "Approx 4 hours left" and "50%" !  I unplugged the USB, and replugged it (reversing the connector for good measure). A little while later it was up to 72% and has since been charging at the normal speed.

I'd guess that there is some pin in the connector or something that indicates fast charging, which somehow hadn't made contact.  Does anybody know what the protocol is?

4

Gemini PDA - Android / Yalp no longer working for me

« on: August 26, 2019, 08:40:44 pm »

For interest, what rev of yalp do you have?

0.45-legacy, apparently.  (Installed throgh F-Droid,.)

Sorry -- didn't check in here for a while... (only happens when I'm in Linux  

I updated to 0.45-legacy, and at first I was still getting errors, (didn't seem to recognize the Yalp account) but finally it connected, and seems to work.

I may try Aurora later.

Thanks.

5

Gemini PDA - Android / Yalp no longer working for me

« on: August 07, 2019, 09:11:35 pm »

Seems to work OK here.

Huh... Still dead for me.  For interest, what rev of yalp do you have?  Mine seems to be 0.41 (installed June last year).  Maybe I should just reinstall..

6

Gemini PDA - Android / Yalp no longer working for me

« on: August 07, 2019, 06:48:19 pm »

Does Yalp no longer work for accessing the PlayStore, or is there some action I haven't taken?

When I got my Gemini a year ago, I used Yalp to grab a lot of the basic stuff, but I wanted to look for something just now, and all I get is "No Network Connection".  I am connected, as everything else works, but no Yalp!

Any clues?

7

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Planet seems to have started something...

« on: February 27, 2019, 03:24:02 pm »

Keyboards are proliferating!

 https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47364932

That looks rather bulkier that the Gemini -- and chicklet keys!

8

Gemini PDA - Android / How to take a screenshot?

« on: December 26, 2018, 02:20:08 am »

On my german Gemini it works with FN-Z.

To check directly, just look for the key with the   [ Invalid Attachment ]  icon.

9

Gemini PDA - Android / File Manager

« on: November 11, 2018, 01:57:56 am »

Total Commander is also a good one, and plays nicely with root.

I converted to Total Commander, and I'm very happy with it.  (I'm not rooted, either)  It has no trouble accessing my external USB stick.

I added in Total-Cmd-FTP as well, which gives me convenient access to all my other machines.

10

Gemini PDA - Android / Termux

« on: November 02, 2018, 05:00:12 pm »

Termux too seems a bit weird.  Its default resolv.conf uses '8.8.8.8'

Erm, sorry if I'm missing something obvious (and for replying to an old topic!), but my Termux doesn't seem to have a resolv.conf file — I can't find that in /etc nor anywhere in the filesystem, nor even anything similar…

I did not have this file either, but when I ran nslookup, it wanted me to install the package dnsutils, which had a dependency of resolv-conf.
I have the file there now (/data/data/com.termux/files/usr/etc), but changed the name server to something other than google.

Perhaps the name lookup is specific to termux and not the entire OS.

Ahah!  Yes. I find the same.  Perhaps that's why I have the file -- may have been asked to install it.  I don't think I  was using nslookup, but dig also  seems to use the file.

I'm not sure of the effect of different nameservers when I'm out and about.  The ones on  my home machines are my ISP's, but that doesn't seem appropriate  when I'm elsewhere...  Maybe I should just stick with Google.

11

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Big announcement on 5th November

« on: October 30, 2018, 02:25:24 pm »

Well, we can probably expect fireworks....!

(Somebody had to say it.   )

12

Gemini PDA - Android / Termux

« on: October 28, 2018, 06:20:21 pm »

Termux too seems a bit weird.  Its default resolv.conf uses '8.8.8.8'

Erm, sorry if I'm missing something obvious (and for replying to an old topic!), but my Termux doesn't seem to have a resolv.conf file — I can't find that in /etc nor anywhere in the filesystem, nor even anything similar…

If I create an /etc/resolv.conf file, will it use that?  Or is some other set-up needed?

OK, I'm not at all sure of myself here, but my Termux has /data/data/com.termux/files/usr/etc/resolv.conf (a.k.a "~/../usr/etc").  This contains

  nameserver 8.8.8.8
  nameserver 8.8.4.4

so I assume that's being used.  I changed it to point to my ISP's nameserver and it still worked, but it also still works if I move resolv.conf right out of the way! (trying ping for example)  So I don't know if that file is relevant to anything at all.
(My Linux man page says that if that file doesn't exist it will use the "name server on the local machine".  How that works I have no idea, and ditto whether android/Termux does similar!)

13

Gemini PDA - Android / Android Screen Icons

« on: October 23, 2018, 07:47:33 pm »

I agree.

Nova Prime (paid for) launcher's advantages like removing the annoying Google search bar among others out weigh its few faults like an increase in power consumption.

In short, it is easily configure able and significantly improves the look and use of my Gemini.

Buy it and you, too, will no doubt agree.

Ifanafi

Hmm.  I've adopted the free version, and I haven't seen any disadvantages of that.  I haven't encountered a single ad.  I think there would be some additional features, like resizing icons, but I don't really care about these.  I was able to get rid of that SEARCH box, anyway!  Here's my rather plain-looking main screen:

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[/div]

BTW, I also recommend "Total Commander" -- also free.  Gives me all the stuff I was missing from the basic file manager, like FTP access to my other machines.  Also includes things like its own simple text editor and media player.

14

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Any "quick draw" belt cases without metal clips available for Gemini?

« on: October 04, 2018, 07:40:55 pm »

Probably not all that useful to you, but I might as well show off my belt holster  
 
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I made it a quarter-century ago for my first Psion, and it held a succession of models.  Since my last one died a few years ago, though, it was hanging empty on my belt.  One reason I was ecstatic to hear about the Gemini!  It's slightly oversized now, but the 5MX was a snug fit.

It's made from a carpenter's (I guess) belt pouch I bought at a hardware store.  The flap was added with some plain leather from a craft shop, and is held closed with some sturdy Velcro.  The belt slots are reinforced above with a small strip of wood bolted on.  All blackened with leather dye.

Perfect for quick access. As you can see from the photo, I have a fair "Utility Belt" -- much more convenient than pockets when riding my bike in shorts as I usually do.,..

15

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Dual-connector USB Stick

« on: October 03, 2018, 09:04:01 pm »

I wouldn't have known about this if I hadn't happened to come across this post here: www.oesf.org/index.php?act=findpost&pid=290007 , so I thought a specific pointer might be useful.

This is a neat little dual-connector (FAT32) USB drive that plugs straight in to your Gemini or your computer.  Perfect for having files at hand on any machine.  It comes in various sizes from 16GB to 128GB (I got the smallest for $21).

Mine just arrived, and it looks to be just what I need.  It includes a "SanDiskMemoryZone" app that I haven't installed.  I think I prefer direct management of my files (by Total Commander, which I've also just discovered...), but if anybody thinks it's a great addition I might drop it in.

(I bought it from BestBuy, as I had other things to get there.  They only had the biggest one in stock, but they shipped the 16GB one to me in 5 days.)