Gemini PDA Gen 2 Features Request

[DJO]

But I think I prefer the screen protected inside the device, and maybe a small and simple screen on the outside (maybe an e-ink, or a few lines of LCD text-display).

Having a screen on the covers makes the leather holder pointless as it would obscure the screen, I wonder if they could move the USB and mic on the right side and fit a small LCD showing a single line of text there, also would be better when the device is in a pocket as you could see it without removing it from your pocket - if they want to be really clever make the silver button a rocker or slider switch so you can scroll the text in either direction.

[jornada720]

Having a screen on the covers makes the leather holder pointless as it would obscure the screen, I wonder if they could move the USB and mic on the right side and fit a small LCD showing a single line of text there, also would be better when the device is in a pocket as you could see it without removing it from your pocket - if they want to be really clever make the silver button a rocker or slider switch so you can scroll the text in either direction.

With a removable and reversible display, you can make your screen internal or external. This would satisfy everyone and also allow PC to expand into the much larger candy bar market.

[gymbo]

I believe that any kind of hinge that allows for that kind of use will be too weak for any serious use... And if you make it removable and reversible you could just get a standalone keyboard. You couldn't use the keyboard anyway, when it is "reversed", and with the way the Gemini is designed you would need another battery (on the screen side) to be able to swap it around when it is powered on...

[jornada720]

The reversible and removable hinge is something that has worked well for Microsoft and several other laptop OEMs. Having a removable screen that fits perfectly with the phone portion is also far more desirable than some giant, ungainly Bluetooth keyboard that doesn't match the Gemini size.

The Gemini II would be far more attractive to consumers with a removable keyboard. It also becomes much more versatile for those of us who love the keys. This idea would also increase the battery life.

[gymbo]

The reversible and removable hinge is something that has worked well for Microsoft and several other laptop OEMs. Having a removable screen that fits perfectly with the phone portion is also far more desirable than some giant, ungainly Bluetooth keyboard that doesn't match the Gemini size.

The Gemini II would be far more attractive to consumers with a removable keyboard. It also becomes much more versatile for those of us who love the keys. This idea would also increase the battery life.

OK, when was the last time you carried your laptop in your trouser pocket?? A phone will get far rougher treatment than a laptop, so just because it works on/for laptops (and tablets, for that matter), doesn't mean it will work for a phone. And the added  battery life would of course come at the expense of more bulk...

[DJO]

The Gemini II would be far more attractive to consumers with a removable keyboard. It also becomes much more versatile for those of us who love the keys. This idea would also increase the battery life.

Er, no. The battery is in the keyboard to act as a counterbalance to the screen, if you put the power in the screen part it wouldn't be able to sit like it does now unless the keyboard overhangs a lot behind the screen which would make everything too cumbersome, also you'd lose the protection the keyboard offers the screen when the device is closed.

Just how would it extend the battery life? If the connection is wireless you'd need to charge both the keyboard & the screen separately, people would just love that and it would increase the power consumption and depending on the type of connection (cough Bluetooth) there might be a noticeable lag. If a connector is used then it's fiddly and a certain failure point as crud will ingress the connectors.

[andrewl]

The Gemini II would be far more attractive to consumers with a removable keyboard. It also becomes much more versatile for those of us who love the keys. This idea would also increase the battery life.

Then it may as well be just a bluetooth keyboard with a dock to mount any phone you choose.

As the X27 phone/screen part of the Gemini is a $200 Android phone similar to Elefone S8, what we are paying $400 more for is the keyboard and the keyboard integration (and a bit for all the linux support).

[speculatrix]

I quite liked the motomod keyboard, I nearly backed it on indiegogo. If you want a detachable keyboard then you should probably look into that.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/keyboard...or-the-moto-z#/

[NCI]

There are two features I really miss on Gemini, and very much hope to see addressed in Gemini II:
1. Fingerprint reader. Lack of it was extremely hard to forgo, almost a deal-breaker; if it was present I'd probably pledge right from the start.
2. High-quality main camera. Since CPU is MTK, which means no high-end camera module or Google HDR+ to compensate module quality, I made my peace with that.

[PJS]

Hi all,

After the last few days, my experience has really got me thinking that
Planet *really* needs to look at a better quality SOC chipset for any potential
Gemini follow on...

The problem with cell phone frequencies has only been getting worse and worse
with T-Mobile in the US.  T-Mobile is switching the frequencies they use -
trying to bring online lower frequencies that work better in buildings, etc.,
while killing the few frequencies the Mediatek chipset supports.

It's getting quite ugly.   I finally get the phone I've waited 20+ years for
and it won't work???

Getting bummed....

PJS

[Ifanafi]

Hi all,

After the last few days, my experience has really got me thinking that
Planet *really* needs to look at a better quality SOC chipset for any potential
Gemini follow on...

The problem with cell phone frequencies has only been getting worse and worse
with T-Mobile in the US.  T-Mobile is switching the frequencies they use -
trying to bring online lower frequencies that work better in buildings, etc.,
while killing the few frequencies the Mediatek chipset supports.

It's getting quite ugly.   I finally get the phone I've waited 20+ years for
and it won't work???

Getting bummed....

PJS

---------------------

...and that is why I now use my Gemini only as a WiFi device for which it performs rather brilliantly.

Yesterday, I reverted to using my aged Samsung Galaxy S5 for phone service.

By the way, I am considering giving my Gemini to a nephew, Eric, to reconfigure as a Linux terminal device for his tech job.
He thinks it is perfect and really meant for that purpose.
And Eric would get far more and better use from it than I have to date (I am terribly disappointed in the Gemini's cell phone failings and shortcomings).

Ifanafi

[andrewl]

...and that is why I now use my Gemini only as a WiFi device for which it performs rather brilliantly.

Yesterday, I reverted to using my aged Samsung Galaxy S5 for phone service.

By the way, I am considering giving my Gemini to a nephew, Eric, to reconfigure as a Linux terminal device for his tech job.
He thinks it is perfect and really meant for that purpose.
And Eric would get far more and better use from it than I have to date (I am terribly disappointed in the Gemini's cell phone failings and shortcomings).

Ifanafi

I don't have any phone problems with Gemini, it works quite well but that may be because I'm not in USA.
However, even before I received the Gemini I had figured out that it was not going to be a great phone, it was always my intention to keep using my smartpone for smartphone stuff. Not because of connectivity but because of form factor.
However, as a 4g connected input device for writing whilst out on the hoof, the Gemini with Sailfish is the device I've been waiting for and there is nothing else like it.
I would change the screen to e-paper if I could. I don't even need colour, but it is making a big difference to my work already.

[inmontanis]

- I don't need a second screen on the outside
- I don't need a trackpoint (or trackpad) when I have a touch screen
- I never needed a fingerprint reader (yet)
- I wouldn't want the 2nd Gemini to be bigger (smaller would be OK)
- I don't have problems with normal typing and none with thumb-typing on the gemini (a first online typing test I've done a few days after I received my Gemini: 214 strokes/min with 2 thumbs, 298/min "normal" 6-8 fingers; 530-590 with a "MX-Blue"-keyboard on the PC for reference; no it's not that one you'll see on my pictures)
- I don't need a bezel-free screen (however, the current round corners are a bit annoying here and there)

but

- I wouldn't say no to a backlit keyboard, especially for the FN-symbol-keys
- I wouldn't say no to an adjustable screen position
- a better integrated rear camera of decent snapshot quality and a flash-light would be also usefull

[Ifanafi]

The Gemini II would be far more attractive to consumers with a removable keyboard. It also becomes much more versatile for those of us who love the keys. This idea would also increase the battery life.

Then it may as well be just a bluetooth keyboard with a dock to mount any phone you choose.

As the X27 phone/screen part of the Gemini is a $200 Android phone similar to Elefone S8, what we are paying $400 more for is the keyboard and the keyboard integration (and a bit for all the linux support).

---------------------

As well as paying for the carrot-and-stick promised Sailfish OS by 2019 AND greatly improved Linux flavors by only they know when.

Ifanafi

P.S. One hopes against the odds that Planet is taking copious notes from this section for inclusion of the best, doable features for its 2.0 version.

[SNi]

- I wouldn't want the 2nd Gemini to be bigger (smaller would be OK)
- I don't have problems with normal typing and none with thumb-typing on the gemini (a first online typing test I've done a few days after I received my Gemini: 214 strokes/min with 2 thumbs, 298/min "normal" 6-8 fingers; 530-590 with a "MX-Blue"-keyboard on the PC for reference; no it's not that one you'll see on my pictures)

Agree with the slightly smaller. On the thumb-typing I'm getting more comfortable with the Gemini... But I have to say that without sticky keys (for caps, Fn, Cntrl, etc.) it doesn't even get close to being as easy as my Zaurus SL-C3200. The only reason I'm finally moving away from the Zaurus after 15+ years of use is its lack of built in connectivity... Do you not find the Gemini keyboard pretty much all the way at the upper limit of size for thumb typing?