Reflections on State of Gemini OS'es & General

[jerome]

However, need to learn how to use Android without needing Google and signing in to apps, etc. If there's a good place online to learn about doing this, please let me know.

I use lineage os on a tablet. Lineage os does not come with google apps (although you can install them), so there are no google and no google app store. I have also some experience with the same on a samsung phone.

I am not aware of a full guide, but basically what you need is f-droid: https://f-droid.org/en/ which is a repository of free software. You will find software for the most common needs:
-browser: firefox
-mail: k9 mail
-maps: osmand (or a new one called "Maps" which is even better), and also middleware to use wifi location if you want
-chats: conversations and riot
-calendars and contacts can sync via caldav and cardav
-etc...

[depscribe]

I use lineage os on a tablet. Lineage os does not come with google apps (although you can install them), so there are no google and no google app store. I have also some experience with the same on a samsung phone.

Which is fine but for the fact that Lineage OS development for Gemini came to a screeching halt a couple of months ago, because they can't get the phone to work. This limits its use as a . . . phone.
And I believe the issue is not so much getting applications as eradicating the Google crap from Googledroid as it ships on Gemini. If there were a good and simple recipe for this, many of us would be glad to know about it. But there does not appear to be such a thing. And even with other OSes on Gemini, Googledroid is all wound through it like a knot of worms.
I think it's a scam that PC pulled on us, but others' views might be more charitable.

[petefoth]

However, need to learn how to use Android without needing Google and signing in to apps, etc. If there's a good place online to learn about doing this, please let me know.

<snip>
-maps: osmand (or a new one called "Maps" which is even better), and also middleware to use wifi location if you want
<snip>

Maps looks good. OsmAndroid allows me to add overlays to the maps  - I use the OpenCycleMap overlay which shows both cycle routes and (many, most?) footpaths. I can't find a way to do that with Maps


Pete

[inmontanis]

Curious about Win98 and Amiga OS 3......

Amiga is just for fun and a "cool it works" (yet), still fiddling with the correct settings to boot my old hardfile ..

Win98 is mainly for Office 97 (yet), as I wanted to use my Skiing - MS Access Database. So instead of adding entries later at home or finding another way of syncing data (or using another database which runs on Android), I can add the daily entries (date, ski resort, time start/stop, price of the ski pass) and view all statistics directly on the gemini while skiing (100+ days per year).

[jerome]

And I believe the issue is not so much getting applications as eradicating the Google crap from Googledroid as it ships on Gemini. If there were a good and simple recipe for this, many of us would be glad to know about it. But there does not appear to be such a thing.

That is my main issue with the Gemini as well. In its present state, I won't really use it. I expected lineage OS to be available reasonably fast, but it seems it won't be. Is there anything that could be done to get things moving?

And even with other OSes on Gemini, Googledroid is all wound through it like a knot of worms.

I have some hopes with debian. We'll see.

I think it's a scam that PC pulled on us, but others' views might be more charitable.

I suppose that google has a firm grip on manufacturers to get them to install their complete suite of application on all their phones.

[Jeffers]

I imagine that a lot of Gemini users are holding out for the Sailfish 3 release at the moment. If you want a device without Googledroid, purism is making that phone, but it doesn't come with a nice keyboard.

[Ifanafi]

Copied from Planet's Indiegogo Comments page:

Posted by @philip cross
4 days ago
finally got linux onto my gemini, what a fucking joke, no wifi and i can`t set it up either, my fingers are too big for the touchscreen, i can`t select the options needed to make it work, basically it`s so rubbish that i will have to reflash the device to android only and stick to my laptop for linux, thank you planet computer for designing a great device with useless software to run on it, same problem as apple and i got rid on my apple products, time to sell and learn from this experience.


Reply from Planet Computers
Campaigner
22 hours ago
Phillip, there are tons of ways to make use of the Gemini's design under Linux. Please email us at hello @ planetcom.co.uk, we can assist you with your enquirers, and we can help you to install an app store that is optimized for this screen size. You can run an enormous library of desktop-class applications right from your PDA that fits in your pocket. -E

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

[jerome]

I imagine that a lot of Gemini users are holding out for the Sailfish 3 release at the moment.

What is so great about Sailfish? This is an honest question: I still have a jolla phone hanging around, so I tried sailfish when it was available. The OS is certainly nice, but privacy is as poor as on standard android.

If you want a device without Googledroid, purism is making that phone, but it doesn't come with a nice keyboard.

People who do not want to be spied on by google usually install lineage OS without gapps on a supported phone. That does the job, but there is indeed no keyboard on recent phones.

As I already said, I expected the same from gemini, but it did not happen. Alternatively, I would be content if gemini would issue their standard distribution without google apps and libraries.

[petefoth]

<snip>
People who do not want to be spied on by google usually install lineage OS without gapps on a supported phone. That does the job, but there is indeed no keyboard on recent phones.

As I already said, I expected the same from gemini, but it did not happen. Alternatively, I would be content if gemini would issue their standard distribution without google apps and libraries.
</snip>

Or go to the 'Privacy' settings in your Google account  and use the activity controls to disable the spying.

[vader]

Ok, I read a few of the previous posts and though I should reply. I don't use debian, primarily due to there being no working phone stack at the moment. I have booted it several time - namely when I have broken sailfish trying to be too cute. It was mentioned that wifi didn't work - well it did for me. Immediately it detected available networks, I selected one, entered the passphrase and voila working wifi. Maybe there is a wifi issue, but I can't see it..... As far as having a small gui - um, 6 inch screen anyone? It is a full desktop GUI displayed on the small, but high resolution screen. Add an hdmi monitor and you wouldn't realise you weren't on a PC. On the small screen it is somewhat difficult, but as it has no phone stack, this is a laptop not a phone. Get a mouse.

I use sailfish, and have since PC released the sailfish image. It is definitely more secure/private than android. The only google bits it uses are the phone stack, and graphics drivers - both unlikely to give away your information. The one thing sailfish lacks is apps, however it still has enough for most people. Messaging (email/sms etc) trounces android. As it is straight linux underneath, you can do pretty much anything you can under debian except change the main gui. Well you probably could, but I haven't.

Sailfish 2.1.x isn't perfect by a long way, however I enjoy it far more than android. When sailfish 3 is released, I believe it will be the perfect Gemini OS - the updates already announced for the Gemini in 3.x will make sailfish very Gemini friendly.

Anyway, I just get a bit annoyed when people complain about things which don't seem to either be a problem, or are obvious. The Gemini is far from perfect, I agree, but it is better than anything else I have.

(Step off soap box, put on asbestos underwear, light the blue touch paper and wait...)

[andrewl]

(Step off soap box, put on asbestos underwear, light the blue touch paper and wait...)

You said most of it for me Vader, I'm agreed with you.

The great thing about Sailfish is that it is not Android. It is a real linux with a small screen phone interface. Not a dumbed down leechOS.  I have made several attempts to get on with Android when the new iterations appeared, each time I hoped it would be better. But I found it and continue to find it intolerably irritating.
Thank goodness for Sailfish on the Gemini.  I look forward to V3.

As for some people complaining about the Gemini, there will always be some where their expectations are not met, it's just not possible to please everybody and when there are thousands of devices out there, there will inevitably be a few who don't like it. Just like I absolutely detest and abhor Android. Luckily Gemini owners that don't like it are few.

[asti]

I've never tried Sailfish but want to, when v3 ist ready.
If I have a binary file for x86 / x64 it is not possible to compile it on a Sailfish Gemini isn't it? I would like to use Typora on a Gemini... https://abnerlee.github.io/typora/2015/03/11/why-typora/

Overheated greetings from Germany
asti

[vader]

I've never tried Sailfish but want to, when v3 ist ready.
If I have a binary file for x86 / x64 it is not possible to compile it on a Sailfish Gemini isn't it? I would like to use Typora on a Gemini... https://abnerlee.github.io/typora/2015/03/11/why-typora/

Compiling on sailfish is easy, provided the libraries exist. I checked out typora and it looks great. There might be a bit of a porting effort and/or adding a qml interface. I might check it out and see if I can get it working.

[asti]

Compiling on sailfish is easy, provided the libraries exist. I checked out typora and it looks great. There might be a bit of a porting effort and/or adding a qml interface. I might check it out and see if I can get it working.

That sounds really super! Thank you!

[speculatrix]

you should be able to get ethernet working in debian if you install the mygnu modular kernel