Planet Computers announces the Cosmo Communicator

[Varti]

A new clamshell device has been announced by Planet Computers: the Cosmo Communicator, which can be already funded from its new Indiegogo page:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/cosmo-communicator#/

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

Compared to the Gemini PDA, this new device has a number of improvements over its predecessor, including:

-   An external colour touch screen for call control and notification
-   An external 24MP camera by default, with zoom and flash capabilities
-   6GB of RAM instead of 4, and a larger, 128GB internal memory storage
-   The keyboard is now backlit
-   NFC and a fingerprint sensor are integrated
-   
As of now, they have already reached $94,782 out of the $200,000 funding goal.

Varti

[smapmap]

A new clamshell device has been announced by Planet Computers: the Cosmo Communicator, which can be already funded from its new Indiegogo page:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/cosmo-communicator#/

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

Compared to the Gemini PDA, this new device has a number of improvements over its predecessor, including:

-   An external colour touch screen for call control and notification
-   An external 24MP camera by default, with zoom and flash capabilities
-   6GB of RAM instead of 4, and a larger, 128GB internal memory storage
-   The keyboard is now backlit
-   NFC and a fingerprint sensor are integrated
-   
As of now, they have already reached $94,782 out of the $200,000 funding goal.

Varti

I'm in already!

[Varti]

Personally, I think it’s a great improvement over the Gemini, even if the price is justifiably higher. The Cosmo is even closer of being an all-in-one portable device than the Gemini or, quoting Planet, “(…) the only device that you need to carry around with you.”

Varti

[smapmap]

Personally, I think it’s a great improvement over the Gemini, even if the price is justifiably higher. The Cosmo is even closer of being an all-in-one portable device than the Gemini or, quoting Planet, “(…) the only device that you need to carry around with you.”

Varti

Yes - looks like Planet have addressed most of the shortcomings of the Gemini. Very excited about this.
My wishlist....
- hopefully a stiffer, more robust hinge - less creaky - especially withthe extra weight on the back of the screen
- less wobble on keys (stiffer action)
- be great if they could get the camera bump flush with the case
- better speakers (more bass - less tinny)
- scratch proof glass on external display
- wish they could make the battery bigger
- a key combination to mute sound (not just the mic)
- keys which don't discolour with use
- volume control when device is closed
- less 'bendy' metal on casing - feels a bit thin
- better glue on the rubber strip
- ship with the right chipset!

[Varti]

Yes - looks like Planet have addressed most of the shortcomings of the Gemini. Very excited about this.
My wishlist....
- hopefully a stiffer, more robust hinge - less creaky - especially withthe extra weight on the back of the screen
- less wobble on keys (stiffer action)
- be great if they could get the camera bump flush with the case
- better speakers (more bass - less tinny)
- scratch proof glass on external display
- wish they could make the battery bigger
- a key combination to mute sound (not just the mic)
- keys which don't discolour with use
- volume control when device is closed
- less 'bendy' metal on casing - feels a bit thin
- better glue on the rubber strip
- ship with the right chipset!

And I'd add - don't use Hermes for delivery anymore!

Varti

[smapmap]

Yes - looks like Planet have addressed most of the shortcomings of the Gemini. Very excited about this.
My wishlist....
- hopefully a stiffer, more robust hinge - less creaky - especially withthe extra weight on the back of the screen
- less wobble on keys (stiffer action)
- be great if they could get the camera bump flush with the case
- better speakers (more bass - less tinny)
- scratch proof glass on external display
- wish they could make the battery bigger
- a key combination to mute sound (not just the mic)
- keys which don't discolour with use
- volume control when device is closed
- less 'bendy' metal on casing - feels a bit thin
- better glue on the rubber strip
- ship with the right chipset!

And I'd add - don't use Hermes for delivery anymore!

Varti

lol - this s so true!

[Varti]

I have noticed that they have ditched the "PDA" term in the name and chosen "communicator" instead, maybe they thought most people would associate that word to an old, obsolete device, destined for retro enthusiasts.

Also, only $5000 now left to reach their goal, that was very quick!

EDIT: The goal has now been reached.

Varti

[Jos]

Ofcourse they did, i orderd one!

sheese

[TheWalt]

If I didn't have a Gemini I'd be all over this, but can't really justify the upgrade at this price point.  What I fear is we are going to loose all potential Gemini support / updates as they now focus on the new "flagship" product.

[gidds]

I was strong-willed, and managed to last out about 2 hours before ordering one…  

I don't spend very much on gadgets or luxuries.  But considering how much I use my Gemini for, I consider it money very well spent.

Of course, those trade-offs will be different for each person.  But if you consider that the initial Cosmo price is around half that of top-end iPhones or Galaxies, and (taking inflation into account) around 2/3 that of the Psion 5mx, its price doesn't seem unreasonable to me.

[DJO]

I was strong-willed, and managed to last out about 2 hours before ordering one…  

I managed about the same, I recently cleared my credit card - C'est la vie.

[Varti]

A "thank you" update from Planet:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/cosmo-co...tor?#/updates/1

Varti

[Varti]

Only 15 Earlybird units left, so everyone who'd like to order it hurry up!

Varti

[covex]

The hinge seems to be even smaller on cosmo compared to gemini, the device will be bulkier and heavier on display side - as this seems more like a gemni with added display, I doubt this is going to be any better with wobling. Also it does not solve the problem with fixed display angle and with czech layout (maybe other layouts too)  - there is no improvement to be able to type  caron and similar things because so called dead key is missing completely and we are not able to type certain letters.

[yoram]

Looks great, indeed an improvement
here as my own small wish-list:
Linux as first class citizen
fully open drivers and HW specs