Gemini PDA Gen 2 Features Request

[speculatrix]

Sdxc and sdhc cards are the same, just that the former come formatted as exfat.

[DJO]

Given that the camera is optional and to be honest a rear mounted 5MP job is pretty useless but if it there was an infra red job available I could see that being useful for hardware troubleshooting (finding a hot spot on a board indicates a point of failure).
No reason why one couldn't be available for the first iteration.
Most digital cameras work well into the IR but have filters to remove it, a neat bit of design would be to have a camera with 3 options, 1) Normal with IR filter, 2) Visible light filter to image just IR, 3) No filter for composite visible and IR image.

[LittleHouse75]

a back lit keyboard

I agree, sort of, but I think the screen is so close to the keyboard that it might not be needed.

Sadly,  the angle of the screen is such that it is still hard to see the keys  in the  dark.  I've cursed my Gemini while trying to  check few messages in bed. (Okay,  I should  be turning of my electronics at night, I know).  A backlit keyboard on V2 would be very welcome.

[Rahab D]

About the e-ink screen, I told on the past on the Facebook page that I will agree it.
But not on the same version that we know better.
E Ink society have developped alredy on 2017 a new screen called ACeP (Advanced Color ePaper) that is able to work by 32.000 colors. It dont have problems of reflex and is ultra-low-power.
That could be the perfect screen for Gemini V2!
... Or for V3?  

https://eink.com/color-technology.html

(Riccardo Dusi)

[FredL]

About the e-ink screen, I told on the past on the Facebook page that I will agree it.
But not on the same version that we know better.
E Ink society have developped alredy on 2017 a new screen called ACeP (Advanced Color ePaper) that is able to work by 32.000 colors. It dont have problems of reflex and is ultra-low-power.
That could be the perfect screen for Gemini V2!
... Or for V3?  

https://eink.com/color-technology.html

(Riccardo Dusi)

+1 for e-ink. Would make a dream device for me.

[andrewlodge]

I haven't actually got a Gemini (yet!), but I've been following the project with interest, and I just thought i would throw my two pence worth in. I think most people would prefer the focus to be on ironing out the bugs in the current generation and improving the software, however here is my wish list for v2 - sorry its so long!

Screen
1)  7" 18:9 (as rumoured for Xiaomi Mi Max 3) OR
2)  7.5-7.9" 21:9 Ultrawide screen - to utilise full width of case
3)  Capacitive hardware buttons next to screen (Back, home and overview), so software buttons are not required at all
4)  High brightness OLED. You could then have a high contrast mode with white text on black, that would consume a similar amount of power, and be readable in sunlight. Maybe.
5)  Anti glare coating

I'm not sure about E-ink to be honest. It could be great, especially for web browsing and typing in direct sunlight, but you would sacrifice decent video playback etc. Its also a bit of an unknown - conventional screens are ubiquitous and low risk.

Keyboard and input
6)  I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but it sounds like they are on to a winner. Perhaps with some tweaks to improve the quality, perhaps adjusting layout based on user feedback as people get used to their devices. Thinner keyboard bezels could improve aesthetics.
7)  Keyboard backlight would be helpful. The size of the Gemini means you can easily work on a plane or train, but it would be great to be able to do this without using an external light - I'm not  a touch typer - i always have to look!
 Physical keyboard buttons for back home and overview android keys (it may already have this with Fn keys?), and other tweaks so that you can use android entirely without touching the screen
9)  A built in stylus would be great, especially for using Linux or windows.

Software
10)  Android - bake into the ROM a UI switcher - the ability to switch apps between phone/phablet/tablet modes. I'm sure once some clever people get xposed running this will work using Phab7, but I think this is a really useful stock feature. The tablet UI for instance is often better optimised for portrait mode.
11)  Windows - my vote is to give people the option - if version 2 had a Snapdragon 845, Windows for ARM could be implemented without too much work. You could use the android OS 90% time, and just boot into windows for the things that it can't do.
12)  Give away a good few free units to some of the amazing developers at XDA developers etc. As almost everything android is optimised for portrait, touch screen use, I think Planet could use all the help they can get!

Other hardware
13)  Battery - This could easily be bigger without compromising too much i think, even if it made the device a little thicker. The originally proposed 8000mAh sounds about right.
14)  External Camera - Keep it optional - I'm actually happy that this is an option, as I don't see to much point in having one. I may be wrong, but I think most users would carry a phone in addition to this? Maybe it is just me, but without an external screen this makes a poor phone, and an even worse camera, which is exactly why i would carry a phone in addition to this. Even if the camera quality was amazing - you'd either have to shoot blind, or open it up to take a photo, both of which are a bit odd.
15)  4G - Perhaps it is possible that the Gemini can share a phone number and data allowance like the Apple watch does? You could then reply to texts and emails either from either your Gemini or your phone.
16)  For V2 does it make sense for Planet to sub contract out the hardware design and manufacturer to a phone manufacturer, like google does with Nexus and Pixel? Planet have clearly spent a lot of time designing this hardware for manufacture, and there isn't really any other way to do it for a device so different from existing ones. It must be blummin hard to make a new device, but lots of Chinese manufacturers make great phones - Planet could give them the design of the V1 device and let them design and manufacture V2 (with Planet in control), leaving them to focus of the software side of things where they can have the most impact.

[Lyall Pearce]

After a couple of weeks of using the Gemini as my sole phone.

Improvements to model 1 not requiring huge change
1. A spacebar that works on the left and right side of the key, rather than only in the centre
2. Stronger/firmer tactile feedback on keypress. I know I can turn on vibration, but I use a mechanical keyboard on my computer and prefer the physical feeling of "yes, it's pressed"
3. Play/Pause controls work on wired/bluetooth earphones when the case is closed, they only work when case is open and unlocked
4. If Bluetooth is enabled, after reboot, it is still enabled, rather than disabled as it is now

Additional features possibly requiring re-tooling/redesign
1. External volume control buttons
2. Rubber 'feet/strips' on the underside to prevent slippage on smooth surfaces
3. Do away with the magnets that hold the Gemini closed, improved 'spring' instead, so we can turn on the compass
4. It would be nice to have an external camera, it's awkward trying to take pics with the internal one - maybe I should look at the camera add-on
5. Some form of display on the outside to show who is calling, maybe notifications - e-ink has been suggested earlier - although, I guess it could be argued I should get a smart watch and have notifications and status info pushed to that, removing the need for an external display and giving me a much more convenient display - though I have not worn a watch in 30 years...

Someone mentioned factory installed screen protector, I simply have not removed the screen protector that came with the Gemini.

That's about it for the moment.

[Pdajah]

My suggestions:

1. Have 2 versions. One basic like the current with some improvements and refinements but with lower price. Second version with a higher screen to body ratio and external display.

2. More focus on productivity apps. The integration of hardware and software made the Psion devices unique.

3. User removable battery.

4. Bottom / base edges to have rubber feet.

[Ifanafi]

You read my mind.

Replacements / upgrades to Gemini 1 guts like its logic board would be most welcomed from a third party ONLY IF PC goes belly up (meaning no Gem 2).

From PC, I'd welcome any improvements / upgrade to components / configurations and would buy them in a Gemini 2 (2-3 yrs hence).

Ifanafi

one key feature: to be able to replace the board inside the first generation Gemini with an upgraded board one day!
even if Planet didn't do this, I would hope some entrepreneur would step up and make a replacement logic board that could be easily slotted into the carcass to give us an upgrade.

[PJS]

Hi guys,

After a month with the Gemini, here's my list for hardware improvements...
At this point, this would be order of most to least importance to me:

 - proper high quality camera with flash
       (I needed one within an hour getting the Gemini)

 - external display - large enough for a dozen lines of text?
       (try reading the shopping list on an open Gemini!)

 - more external buttons - volume, accept & decline
       (the external display looses value if you have to open to do anything)

 - backlit keyboard
       (typing in the dark is impossible)

 - support for new call frequencies

Thanks,

PJS

[speculatrix]

I expect that my smartwatch (original Huawei, the W1, the best looking of any Android Wear devices IMNSHO) will be invaluable when using my Gemini, allowing me to monitor notifications and cancel incoming calls I don't want, and I'll also be dependent on my bluetooth headset for most calls.

A small external display would probably be needed if I didn't have the above.

[andrewl]

I'm really liking the idea of E-Ink display, for a Psion like daylight display performance. True it would not make for good video playback but I've got enough devices that will do better video playback than a Gemini anyway, and none of them are a tiny little screen like a Gemini, the size means that it is not an ideal video device anyway. For a productivity device, rather than a consumption device E-Ink would be great.

[RJL]

I have used my Gemini for over a month. My main usage has been MS productivity software (as that fits in with my employer's software requirements), e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel.

Plus I use the Gemini for a bit of internet browsing, playing morning workout videos when I am travelling, and playing old games via emulators. 80s computer games work really well on the Gemini as they mostly do not assume (or often even implement) a mouse, thus work properly when driven via a keyboard only.

I have a 4G version, but have no need for a phone so have not used any phone functions.

Pretty much there is nothing that I really want or miss on the 1st gen. Planet Computers have done a fantastic job.

I would expect a new version to have more RAM, storage and battery; but only because prices tend to drop and software requirements tend to inflate. There is nothing wrong with  the provided RAM, storage and battery.

I definitely would not want to see anything that messes with the exterior. Exterior mounted cameras, notifications, etc will mess with the lovely aesthetic of the device.

However:

• A couple of user-configurable buttons on the short sides of the exterior would be nice, but not essential.
• A more easily accessible SD card slot would also be nice, but again not essential.

[joepirello]

- Hinge that offers 2 positions (90 degrees and current one). I find myself wishing the screen was perpendicular often

- Capacitive layer underneath keyboard like BlackBerry devices for scrolling and a mouse. When using the hardware keyboard I would love quick access to a mouse pointer

- Silo'd Wacom EMR pen like the Galaxy Notes

- A quality camera module add-on

- ChromeOS option

[gidds]

After a few days' use:

* Fix/strengthen the hinge.  Mine wobbles too much when typing, and I'm worried about bending it back too far.  And I've seen reports of it popping off, which is worrying.
* Rubber feet.  They don't need to be large or protrude much, but without them it slides around too much on a desk.
* Allow headset buttons to work while the unit is closed.
* Fix the keyboard: the keys are still much too wobbly.

And of course loads of software stuff too...