Messages

1

Cosmo Communicator - Hardware / Mouse for Cosmo

« on: December 10, 2019, 02:41:50 pm »

You might also prefer to find a Bluetooth mouse.

I'll second that. I got a ridiculously cheap Chinese No-Brand BT mouse when I got the Gemini. It was a bugger to pair, took ages turning it on and off, randomly pressing buttons and whatever seemed like a good idea at the time. When it eventually paired it worked perfectly.

Same pairing issue with the Cosmo (I'm pretty sure this is more due to the cheap mouse than the Gemini/Cosmo BT as my other BT stuff paired easily) but once paired all is golden. Also the Android on the Cosmo has an optional trusted device feature which holds the Cosmo logged in while the mouse is active. Handy but I'm not sure if this is a good idea from a security perspective.

2

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Hack The Planet! ... Gemini PDA

« on: December 06, 2019, 05:04:17 pm »

... the Gemini is a spiritual successor — was titled Psion: The Last Computer, as it was the last time a computer was created from scratch...

A quote from the linked article:

And also, we treated what were really “best case” targets as deadlines, and of course hurt ourselves by rushing things to try to achieve the unachievable.

Planet should have learnt that lesson but it seems to have passed them by.

3

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Hack The Planet! ... Gemini PDA

« on: December 06, 2019, 03:21:13 pm »

So while I applaud your enthusiasm, you might want to restrict your sights a little in order to avoid too much disappointment…

I'd echo this, you could spend the rest of your life trying to master low-level multi-thread compartmentalisation and you'd probably never get there because they keep designing new chips with different protocols.

For some things use the APIs, choose your areas of specialisation with care.

I used to be able to program a Z80 in machine code, I wouldn't know where to start with current processors.

4

Cosmo Communicator - Hardware / Front External Display Wish List

« on: December 03, 2019, 01:27:27 pm »

A way to blacklist alerts to stop unimportant stuff waking up the display.

5

Cosmo Communicator - General Discussion / Cosmo Screen Protectors?

« on: October 28, 2019, 02:01:41 pm »

Is the Cosmo screen the same size as the Gemini's?

Jake

Apart from the thickness the 2 devices have the same dimensions. I'd be surprised if the screen is not exactly the same module.

6

Cosmo Communicator - General Discussion / Latest updates on Indiegogo

« on: October 10, 2019, 01:38:48 pm »

According to IndieGoGo discussion, at least one backer has now received Cosmo!

No, now denied, was intended to taunt PC into a reply. Pretty dumb really

7

Cosmo Communicator - General Discussion / Latest updates on Indiegogo

« on: August 24, 2019, 06:16:41 pm »

Iikka were found that "Cosmo has arrived to Planet’s website:"

https://store.planetcom.co.uk/collections/d...mo-communicator

In the spec it says:
"Sensors    Accelerometer, light sensor, gyroscope, magnetic-sensor"
So have they worked out how to make the compass work with all the magnets holding it shut or should it have read:
"Sensors    Accelerometer, light sensor, gyroscope, magnetic-sensor(disabled)"
No compass on the Gemini is a shame because it means astronomy apps don't work so well, it'd be nice if they would work on the Cosmo.

Sod this, I'll email them and ask, I'll get back if I get a reply.

8

Cosmo Communicator - General Discussion / Latest updates on Indiegogo

« on: August 19, 2019, 01:04:10 pm »

How these numbers might translate to the Cosmo is anybody's guess.

We can do a little bit more than guess, the run will probably be bigger than the first Gemini one as they only made ~1,000 Geminis on the that run (with the x25), the device is a bit more complex but conversely they have manufacturing experience with the Gemini which should transfer to the Cosmo easily enough.

So probably a little longer, assuming no serious problems in production, 6 to 7 weeks after all the parts are delivered to the factory.

9

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Car mount kit.

« on: August 10, 2019, 05:38:38 pm »

It helps but it's not a permanent fix. I'm looking into something better.

Steve

Hi Steve if you find a better way please inform us.

Without having seen one I wonder if it would be possible to mount a bent metal plate to the bottom of the clamp so it rests against the back of the screen, then stick a few magnets on the plate to align with the magnets in the lid. If done right it should stop the screen from moving and being behind it won't foul the keyboard.

Getting magnets not too strong and not too weak will be fun, old hard drives are a useful source but the magnets are powerful and brittle. They are almost impossible to cut without exceeding the Curie temperature but they can be broken (or shattered) into smaller magnets. (with very sharp points - take care).

10

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Displaylink adapter works (under Android)!

« on: July 26, 2019, 02:38:14 pm »

Hey guys,
Any ideas?

Turn your monitor through 90º  

11

Cosmo Communicator - General Discussion / Welcome to those from the Indiegogo forum

« on: July 18, 2019, 12:36:43 pm »

A very nice job.

I wondered about the hinge section with the rubber strip, didn't consider leaving it grey - neat.

12

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Car mount kit.

« on: July 15, 2019, 01:02:20 pm »

Good news, Gemini car mount kit has just arrived, via DHL from Hong Kong. Thanks Planet.

From the pictures it looks like the kit holds the keyboard part but is there anything to stop the screen part from moving when accelerating or braking?

It'd be interesting to get a report from a user rather than the sales pitch from Planet.

13

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Swollen battery

« on: June 18, 2019, 01:00:54 pm »

Today I was looking at my Gemini and I noticed that the battery has swollen...

Hi, I'd be interested in your charging regime - do you leave the device on charge when full or disconnect power before it's full? Do you let it run out fully? Or do you just top it up as necessary?

Whatever you did I want to do the opposite :-)

BTW have you contacted Planet yet, if you are in the EU the battery should still be under warranty.

14

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Charger Voltage 9V

« on: June 02, 2019, 06:43:56 am »

The original Planet charger supplies voltages up to 12v so 9v should be OK.

If not your Gemini would probably have already released the magic smoke and died.

15

Gemini PDA - Android / Android 8.1 for the Gemini to be available later this week

« on: May 01, 2019, 01:45:37 pm »

the full release of Oreo – to ALL Gemini 4G backers – will take place next Monday morning.

I'll believe that when it happens, Monday (6th May) is a bank holiday in the UK.