Important news for all the backers with keyboard problems

[Varti]

Crossposting from the FB Gemini page:

IMPORTANT FOR ALL BACKERS WITH KEYBOARD PROBLEMS!!!

Planet have just received replacement keyboard mats to send to backers who have already emailed them about issues with their Gemini. Please can you email robin@planetcom.co.uk asap! He is flying to China later today but might be able to post some mats before leaving if he gets your full address details by 1pm (UTC) today (i.e. less than 3 hours left!).

Failing that, the replacement mats will be sent next weekend, as soon as Planet staff return from China.

Varti

[andrewl]

Do you know if this is a straightforward task to swap out mats for the average user with no access to tools and a faint heart?

[Rosie]

Do you know if this is a straightforward task to swap out mats for the average user with no access to tools and a faint heart?

It's an absolute doddle.  Flick the key caps off, preferably using something slim but blunt and not a penknife blade like I did.  Lift off the old mat, replace with the new mat, slide the key caps back on.

Provided you've lais the key caps out in a sensible pattern reflecting where they were relative to one another when they were on the Gemini you should be able to do the whole job in about 5 minutes.  Have a look at the Battery Replacement thread on here if you'd like some photos so you know what you're letting yourself in for.

Rosie

[gidds]

On my Psion 5mx, I found the safest way to remove the keytops was with a big blob of Blu Tack (or similar putty-like adhesive).  Press it firmly onto a keytop, then pull up sharply; if you do it right, the keytop comes away with it.

I don't yet have a Gemini to test that with, but perhaps someone could try it and report back?

(Blu Tack is also great for removing dust and other gunk, especially from crevices you can't easily reach.)

[Varti]

Update from Robin (thanks Jayne Samuel-Walker for forwarding it):

"I have just arrived in China to oversee the next round of production. I’ll send a replacement keyboard mat out on Monday if ok. I replaced the mat on my device and it is a massive improvement."

Varti