Messages

31

Gemini PDA - Android / microSDXC cards and forced ExFAT to FAT32

« on: May 23, 2018, 03:10:52 pm »

fwiw, exfat volumes mount uneventfully on the linux side. (and didn't they say the hub would contain an SD slot? it doesn't, so an SD reader needs to be plugged into the hub and the card slotted in to the reader, unless you have a dedicated USB-C reader.) of course, the internal card mounts just fine, either in exfat or ext4. and, i suppose, fat32.

I have done that.  SDXC ExFAT card in a USB type A reader plugged into the Planet Computers hub.  Gemini demands reformatting the card.

Right -- under Android. Works fine under Linux on Gemini. So it's an Android thing -- might be fixable on a rooted device? (I have no idea where or how -- I'm still working on figuring out what I can remove from the Android install to be rid of the spyware that it sometimes seems as if Android is made of entirely.)

Unfortunately for me I need to be able to run a Blackberry on Android email application for work, so no Debian for me (at least not as a primary OS).

I'm truly looking forward to trying out Sailfish.  Linux OS with the ability to run Android apps?  Sounds ideal.  In the meantime, though, for most of us this device needs to run Android well.

I wonder why they left ExFAT out of the Gemini firmware.  Does Microsoft charge a per device license for that?

32

Gemini PDA - Android / microSDXC cards and forced ExFAT to FAT32

« on: May 23, 2018, 11:14:57 am »

fwiw, exfat volumes mount uneventfully on the linux side. (and didn't they say the hub would contain an SD slot? it doesn't, so an SD reader needs to be plugged into the hub and the card slotted in to the reader, unless you have a dedicated USB-C reader.) of course, the internal card mounts just fine, either in exfat or ext4. and, i suppose, fat32.

I have done that.  SDXC ExFAT card in a USB type A reader plugged into the Planet Computers hub.  Gemini demands reformatting the card.

33

Gemini PDA - Android / microSDXC cards and forced ExFAT to FAT32

« on: May 22, 2018, 05:05:20 pm »

FWIW, my Gemini-formatted 256GB SD card worked fine with my Mac.

(Which is more than can be said for the Gemini itself…)

Yes, because the Mac also reads FAT32.

However:

If you took a new 256GB SDXC card out of the package, wrote data to it on the Mac (without re-formatting the card), you would not be able to see that data in the Gemini, which would demand re-formatting it.

If you place that 256GB card into most modern digital cameras, they will demand re-formatting it back to ExFAT, which will no longer work in the Gemini.

The 'official' format for SDXC media is ExFAT.

My Nook HD 9" tablet, Galaxy Note 3 phone, Pandora console, Pentax Optio W camera are all 4+ years old.  They can all read ExFAT.  The fact that the Gemini will not use ExFAT, but claims SDXC compatibility, makes it's inability to read ExFAT a bug.

I'm actually not a big fan of ExFAT.  But, I'm even less a fan of FAT32.

34

Gemini PDA - Android / microSDXC cards and forced ExFAT to FAT32

« on: May 22, 2018, 01:23:21 pm »

So, if you put a 64GB or larger 'factory formatted' card into your Gemini, it forces you to format the card prior to recognizing it.

The Gemini apparently does not support ExFAT.  Why not?  How do we get it included so that it can behave like any other Android phone from the last 5+ years with regards to SDXC media?

Of note - Gemini has claimed support of microSDXC media to 256GB.  The SD association specification for SDXC media over 32GB includes ExFAT.  Without that, the product is, 'out of spec'.

Yes, I know, Microsoft proprietary format adopted as an industry specification without consulting the masses, EXT4 would have been better, etc...  None of that is relevant though.

Your modern stand-alone camera will require EXFAT on all cards > 32GB.

This has far more to do with device interactions than the Gemini's internal microSDXC usage.

Put that card in a USB reader, connect it to the Gemini, and it fails to recognize it and demands that your camera card be formatted.  Copying files off of USB mounted SDXC or microSDXC media to the Gemini is a no-go without an Android ExFAT driver.

35

Gemini PDA - Hardware / LEDison

« on: May 18, 2018, 12:45:22 pm »

..... But I can't find any way of associating a particular light sequence with a particular action, for example the arrival of an email....

Now there's a very good reason for that, Planet haven't worked out how to do it yet either, when they do they'll publish it but until then it's just a toy.

I think I have a solid method figured out, but have no way to communicate the idea to Planet.

All the LEDs really need to be is an audio graphical EQ display.  Pipe ring tones to the LED display, done.
Volume control for that 'output' is 'dimming'.
Every action associated with a sound event is now a unique light display.
Giving a contact their own ringtone instantly gives them their own light display.

36

Gemini PDA - Android / New Android update available

« on: May 18, 2018, 12:40:16 pm »

Single boot Android.  Downloaded in under 30 seconds, took about 2 minutes to install & reboot & finish.  When it was done it went to a black screen - momentarily fear of bricking - pushing the Esc/On button brought up my login screen.  All is well.

I wish these came with a documentation sheet stating what has been changed.

37

Gemini PDA - Android / ATT 4G LTE

« on: May 17, 2018, 02:58:14 pm »

Seems like I should be able to get this because ATT shows 4G LTE coverage in my city/zip; and the Gemini supports the required frequencies/bands. However, when I am at the lock screen it shows "AT&T - NO SERVICE" and when logged in shows 3G.

I've checked all the APN settings (and tried them all), have Enhanced 4G LTE Mode on, etc. but no joy!

Any ideas?

I'm in Australia, so can't comment on ATT supported frequencies, but the specs on the Indiegogo page for the supported frequencies is wrong. For example, on the basis of what the Indiegogo page states, I fully expected the Gemini not to support 3G at 850MHz, but it does.

This app might help you:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?...ed.ltediscovery

Similar lines, but way prettier pictures:

Code: [Select]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wilysis.cellinfoThere is a free version too, but who wants adds when you're searching out faint cell signals?

38

Gemini PDA - Linux / Debian on Gemini - Usage

« on: May 16, 2018, 12:49:14 pm »

Grench - We changed our kernel so that it doesn't use F11/12 for the lid switch:
https://github.com/gemian/gemini-linux-kern...47c8967963d6b0f

The android kernel will still be sending F11/12 keys.

Yes we have our own key maps, and all the keys can be made to do useful/appropriate things:
https://github.com/gemian/xkeyboard-config/...net_vndr/gemini

Uncertain how you would make use of any of this in Android, unless your re-building your own version some how (Lineage OS)?

Crucial things to know about keyboards - the Gemini closes on its keys, this means that they fire off random key presses on the close and the open and sometimes full scale repeat for the entire duration of the closed lid state. In debian we handle this with both turning off the screen/keyboard and launching a lock screen to eat key presses. It will be interesting to figure out the HDMI+USB/BT keyboard+closed device user story once we get to working on that side of things.

Thank you - that helps a lot.  My interest is in being to document the issues on the Android keyboard & lid switch in the faint hope that they might get fixed in the Gemini Android keyboard driver.  Since the Debian group here has, 'been there done that', I thank you for your assistance in documentation.

Android lid switch is F11/F12.  So it's behavior should be governed in the Planet keyboard app.

Can you verify that PgUp/PgDn/Home/End are returning their proper keycodes and functioning normally in Debian applications?  (These do not work at all in Android on the Gemini US keyboard definition.)  Likely just a value change in a table.

Thank you!

39

Gemini PDA - Linux / Debian on Gemini - Usage

« on: May 16, 2018, 11:31:09 am »

You folks here working on the Debian items might have some insights to a few issues I'm seeing on Android.

Above was a discussion where the lid switch was activated under Debian.  I want to change how it works on Android.  Is the lid switch in the Keyboard matrix (keycode?) or does it live on it's own weird GPIO elsewhere or other?

Debian has it's own keyboard mapping - which may be better than what is on Android.  Within Debian, do Fn+arrows work?  I.e. is PgUp, PgDn, Home, End working on the Debian side?  If so - good, that means there is hope.  Is there a table of keycodes generated by keys that can be shared?

Thanks!

40

Gemini PDA - Android / Lid Switch Behavior - can it be changed?

« on: May 16, 2018, 11:16:42 am »

This is another question, where I would want more input from someone at PLANET. They could reduce their support questions when answering here - and new customers could find their solution lateron, too. It is a pity that no one from the developers is here - your question is very funded and needs only a short answer. We are all not complaining too much when there is no solution by now - but it is harder to stand if there is no answer.

To your question from my view: The state when lid closed is very economic - it manages to save a lot of battery when the lid is closed. Seems that they overdid it...

Yes, Planet needs a formal bug acknowledgment & tracking system.  Lacking that, maybe have an official forum open to all purchasers where we can discuss pointers.  OESF is doing a good thing by having these forums.  Although these forums are referenced by Planet Computers at different points, they are not official.

The 'official developers forum' is actually at:
https://developer.planetcom.co.uk/index.php
However, I do not see any cases where anyone from Planet Computers has ever answered a single question there.

There are a few of us over on the Pyra boards where there is more discussion interaction, but that is even further disconnected from Planet.

I know that they're still wrapping up this round of production.  Hopefully they have read some of the items.

There are several issues that should be able to be addressed inexpensively in a software update.  Examples:
* Allow users to change the lid switch behavior.  I want to be able to pause, skip, next track while listening to music with the lid shut.
* Page Up, Page Down, Home and End on the US Keyboard definition do not work.
* Allow Google Assistant to be isolated to either the side button OR headphone remote button OR let us put it on Fn+G.  It's current behavior is beyond annoying.  This may be a Google thing - but I HOPE we can get better control over how it is activated.

41

Gemini PDA - Android / ATT 4G LTE

« on: May 15, 2018, 05:54:58 pm »

Seems like I should be able to get this because ATT shows 4G LTE coverage in my city/zip; and the Gemini supports the required frequencies/bands. However, when I am at the lock screen it shows "AT&T - NO SERVICE" and when logged in shows 3G.

I've checked all the APN settings (and tried them all), have Enhanced 4G LTE Mode on, etc. but no joy!

Any ideas?

I'm on AT&T as well.

Open the lid, "AT&T - Emergency Calls ONLY".  But top right has the 4G icon and full strength signal.

At home, AT&T's 4G signal is pretty weak.  There it shows up as 3G.  

The Emergency Calls ONLY thing goes away as soon as you're past the lock screen.  Dials numbers & sends/gets messages fine.

My old phone would truly go into the 'Emergency Calls Only' mode and not be willing to do anything.

Who knows - maybe I'm in for an ugly roaming bill?  Network Cell Info says I'm not roaming - so likely OK.

42

Gemini PDA - Android / PgUp / PgDn (Page Up / Page Down) not working?

« on: May 15, 2018, 04:35:37 pm »

Thanks for the input.  I too hope this will have a software fix at some point.

If only Planet Computers had someplace official that we could submit bugs to and have them acknowledged and tracked.

43

Gemini PDA - Android / PgUp / PgDn (Page Up / Page Down) not working?

« on: May 15, 2018, 03:03:36 pm »

After a quick chat on #gemini-pda on IRC, it seems I am not alone.  And there did not seem to be an existing topic on this issue.  As Linux users report functional pgup/pgdn, I am creating this topic under the Android OS subforum.  If I missed an existing topic please feel free to merge or ignore me

Does anyone have WORKING PgUp/PgDn keys in Android?

Apps I have tried and in which the keys do not work (treated as normal Up/Down arrows instead):

JuiceSSH
Microsoft remote desktop client for Android
TeamViewer
Firefox

Edit: And yes I followed the instructions at http://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/Configuration to update the keyboard application and configure the layout.  I have a US English model Gemini from batch 2.

Edit 2: Additional apps where pgup/pgdn do not work: Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel :-/

I can at least verify that under Android the PgUp/PgDn/Home/End don't seem to work.  I was hoping that Planet would be coming out with some software updates for that.

44

Gemini PDA - Android / Lid Switch Behavior - can it be changed?

« on: May 14, 2018, 12:41:10 pm »

This stems from me wanting to be able to do something that should be quite simple.

I want to play and control playback of audio over a wired headset while the Gemini is shut and in my pocket.  The audio playback question itself is solved in another thread here.  This one is specific to the lid switch behavior.  Audio player information here is given on background to detail why I want the lid switch behavior to be different.

I have an Android earbuds headset with Android compatible in-line three button remote.  The remote allows me to:
Top button = volume up
Middle button 1X = play or pause toggle
Middle button 2X = next track
Middle button 3X = previous track
Bottom button = volume down

On the Gemini, this works fine as long as the lid is open.  Normal operations with the audio program open = perfect.  'locked' at the lock screen with audio controls = perfect.

Close the Gemini lid, though, and the audio continues, but the controls fail.

When the Gemini lid closes, what state does the unit place itself in?  This isn't the same as most Android phones screen-off state.  It is something else - but what to call this?  Tupor?

Where is the Gemini lid close behavior monitored and maintained in the software stack?  Is there a hidden menu somewhere that allows the user to override it's default settings?

45

Gemini PDA - Android / Wired headphone remote issue

« on: May 13, 2018, 11:22:00 pm »

Typing this on my Gemini.  Mostly doing well with it.  I found a set of wired Android compatible earbuds.  With the Gemini open, the remote works find for volume control, pause/play, next track. previous track.  Close the Gemini lid though, and playback continues but the wired headphone remote stops working.  Is there a setting somewhere to change the Android lid behavior so the wired headphone remote keeps working with the id closed?

A quick note on wired headphone remotes - Google voice assistant kills all functionality of the center button outright. So, it is either having Google Assistant running on the device OR being able to pause, play, next, previous song.  It took me nearly an hour to figure out how to turn Google Assistant back OFF so I could have the remote work at all again.

Still doesn't work with the Gemini lid closed, but at least I got Google out of the way again.