Author Topic: Just got it - observations and issues  (Read 5373 times)

bogomips

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Just got it - observations and issues
« on: March 12, 2018, 06:33:42 am »
Tips:
The back plate does not close the same way it opens! It opens from the back, and closes at the front. See diagram in printed quick start guide. I tried forcing it close from the back – it doesn’t work like that!

Fn+R is screenshot.

Alt-Tab, Alt-Shift-Tab works!!

Update the Plant Keyboard setup tool from the Play Store… might help with some of the mapping issues I observed…
You can answer incoming calls by pressing the silver button on the outside.
Even with the app updated, your preferences like vibration feedback, sounds, etc won't work. I found rebooting the device immediately after applying keyboard preferences made those settings stick, however setting a US layout from the Gemini app still gives you UK mapping. Using the Android config method is the only way which I can get US mapping on US keyboard

Good:
Packaging is great!

Build quality seems good and sturdy.

Looks great, keyboard feel is surprising, and even has some mechanical noise on the release.

Voice calls work fine. You have to open the Gemini to answer, but works fine holding it to your head with the screen closed.

Spacebar will open the lock screen.

USB access from computer (Win 10) works fine, left port – no special drivers required. You do have to set USB connection mode in Gemini from notification area.

In a quick comparison with my GDP Pocket, I’d say the Gemini’s keyboard types a little slower, but more accurately!
The assistant button on the side works fantastic for web searches and general knowledge, and you can use it without opening the device.

1080p video streaming on Youtube works fine (I did enable clearmotion setting under display settings)
You can customise the task-bar with any apps. You are not locked into only some apps like on some samsung tablets. There are no pre-installed junk apps – the icons you see for Skype, etc on the task bar are just icons – those apps are not installed.

All screws accounted for.

USB-C has good snap.

Planet’s notes app is pretty good.


Bad - Hardware:
You almost have to break the thing to open the back. Seriously. Once it’s open, you can see the plastic burrs where the over ripped at the plastic. Maybe that is just the way it wears in, or maybe I’ll stop catching after too many open/close events. Also, you have to travel with that jagged piece of metal to open the back cover.

The 9-key is weak and semi-depressed, but still works (same issue noted be someone else as well).

There is no compass.


Orientation sensor is working, but you have to unlock it first: https://www.oesf.org/forum/index.php?showto...st&p=284877
CPU-Z still lists an absent orientation sensor, but it does work!

[img]https://preview.ibb.co/gSDpYS/Screenshot_20180312_223808.png\" border=\"0\" class=\"linked-image\" /]
[img]https://preview.ibb.co/ejPJSn/Screenshot_20180312_214559.png\" border=\"0\" class=\"linked-image\" /]

Despite having an order over 1000, and not having my order lock, or any delivery notification during first batch shipment, I got my delivery much later, and CPU is X25.

Signal drops to 3G very frequently, even though 4G coverage is available. Might be due to metal body blocking reception?

Supplied USB-C cable is pretty thin in comparison with other high current charging cables I have for other devices.


Bad – Software:
The supposed anyside-up answering ability doesn’t work. Only one speaker functions for calls. Both microphones seem to work. This is likely due to the orientation sensor being absent, but I hope this is a software thing which can be fixed…
(Stereo audio does work from Youtube...)
Even with orientation sensor unlocked, this feature does not appear to work


Orientation sensor is working, but you have to unlock it first: https://www.oesf.org/forum/index.php?showto...st&p=284877

During the initial setup, the keyboard mapping is UK, even though the model is US. So if you need to type a password which contains a char which is incorrectly mapped, you’ll have a lot of fun! You can only fix that one you complete setup.

Once in Android, you can use Planet’s keyboard config app, or the basic Android one. With much mucking about, it seems what works best is to use the Android one. Choose Config Keyboard from the Notification tray, then select Gemini, then choose layout as Gemini USA. Don’t use the Gemini provided keyboard config app. (There is an update available in the Play Store for the Planet Keyboard config tool – maybe that fixes this…)

Google search bar starts off as just a white rectangle. There are no options to remove the rectangle, only to create it as a widget, and once create you cannot remove that either.
You cannot seem to hide the android controls on the left. They do disappear during full screen video.

The official Planet Keyboard app on the Play Store is published by “Private Planet”, which hosts a bunch of other non-related and questionable apps… not very confidence-inspiring…

Bad - Other:
Film covering over phone is stuck to the body, so when you unwrap it, there is some glue residue on the phone.

Some glue or something on the spacebar – not able to remove easily. Might have to try a solvent.

Some of the cover plates don’t line up flush against the plastic.

Screen protector is sticky temp kind and should be removed, however I wonder what will happen with the screen, since the screen presses the keys down to close…

The screen, although bright does nothing to light up the keyboard in the dark. Its pretty much useless in the dark unless you hold the screen at 90 degree angle with one hand.


All in all, its a pretty good device and at the backer-price, a good deal.
Here is a pic of it next to the GPD Pocket:
[img]https://preview.ibb.co/dHJOtS/IMG_20180312_232504.jpg\" border=\"0\" class=\"linked-image\" /]
« Last Edit: March 12, 2018, 05:19:24 pm by bogomips »

Maxence822

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Just got it - observations and issues
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2018, 07:24:52 am »
Great review with a good overview of the features and what is missing. This seems quite objective as well which I like! Thank you, looking forward to your long-term review in a few months

Varti

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Just got it - observations and issues
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2018, 08:01:41 am »
Thanks for this useful post, there are some interesting hints and problems listed there which were never mentioned earlier. I have now updated both the hints and issues thread with your observations.

Varti
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Milan

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Just got it - observations and issues
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2018, 10:46:42 am »
Quote from: bogomips
Tips:
The back plate does not close the same way it opens! It opens from the back, and closes at the front. See diagram in printed quick start guide. I tried forcing it close from the back – it doesn’t work like that!
...

What do you mean by that? Are you talking about the top/front plate or about the bottom/back plate? Both can be opened. I opened and close the front plate (as described in quick user guide) without any problem. Your tip is confusing at best!

bogomips

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Just got it - observations and issues
« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2018, 04:59:19 pm »
Quote from: Milan
Quote from: bogomips
Tips:
The back plate does not close the same way it opens! It opens from the back, and closes at the front. See diagram in printed quick start guide. I tried forcing it close from the back – it doesn’t work like that!
...

What do you mean by that? Are you talking about the top/front plate or about the bottom/back plate? Both can be opened. I opened and close the front plate (as described in quick user guide) without any problem. Your tip is confusing at best!

Hi, I mean, the cover plate you open to insert the sim card- you open it starting from the back (A, see attached), and close it starting from A and snapping it in at B. This might not be obvious if you have not studied the quick start guide in detail. Usually things close in the reverse order of how it is opened.
 [ Invalid Attachment ]

bogomips

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Just got it - observations and issues
« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2018, 05:07:41 pm »
Quote from: Varti
Thanks for this useful post, there are some interesting hints and problems listed there which were never mentioned earlier. I have now updated both the hints and issues thread with your observations.

Varti

Thanks. With some help I've managed to get the orientation sensor working, though anyway-up answering still doesn't work for me. (post updated).

bogomips

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Just got it - observations and issues
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2018, 05:20:44 pm »
Even with the Planet Keyboard app updated from the Play Store, your preferences like vibration feedback, sounds, etc won't work. I found rebooting the device immediately after applying keyboard preferences made those settings stick, however setting a US layout from the Gemini app still gives you UK mapping. Using the Android config method is the only way which I can get US mapping on US keyboard.

ArchiMark

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Just got it - observations and issues
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2018, 09:55:43 am »
Thank you for all your info and input, bogomips!

Very interesting to see the Gemini next to the Pocket. I have a Pocket now, so this helps me understand Gemini size. Makes the Pocket look big!

Keep us posted on how things go....

Mark
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