Has anyone here seen any signs of life from Planet lately?

[Daniel W]

Hi all.

From a personal point of view, they got my Astro for reflashing in early October -23 (the V07 update disabled my screen). When asking in late November, I was told they had it, and would get back to me. Then, nothing... One week apart, I recently made two attempts, to get an estimate of when I may get it back fixed. The auto-replies came quickly, but no actual responses. Yes, I checked my spam folder.

Their web site is up, with some things in stock, but also "Pre-order for Xmas 23 delivery"... Their planetembedded.com shop has a few dozen articles, but mostly looks like a template. No stock status on anything, no terms, conditions, shipping, warranty or contact information, not even article numbers... The support site hasn't been touched since 2021.

I did find these articles from 2024
https://kalkinemedia.com/news/world-news/planet-computers-announces-the-general-availability-of-planetpc-xr-series-of-linux-mini-desktops
https://www.businesslondonpress.com/technology/planet-computers-partners-with-hyperappliance-paving-way-for-1-billion-in-ai-hardware-manufacturing/

Both seems to suggest they are doing something... though fixing devices botched by their own software updates doesn't appear to be one of them.

So I wonder: Has anyone here seen any actual signs of life from Planet lately? I'm not into social media much. Are they posting anything there, with any regularity?

[Varti]

No signs of life on their Facebook page either, their last post is dated 10th April 2023, for the Spring Special sale offer.

I'm also wondering what's their current status, though their silence is worrisome.

Varti

[jakfish]

I'd love to know the actual percentage of Astros delivered to actual backers. 50% delivered? More? Less?

Jake

[Daniel W]

According to Astro Update #84 from July 18, 2023, they've fulfilled 1632 Astro perks, out of a 3000 unit production run, that stalled when state owned Yibin Electronics "acquired" their factory partner, which then lost key staff and, as it seems, basically confiscated the remaining produced stock and other parts Planet had already paid for. I doubt any further production has happened anywhere since then.

Though I know the Astro needs "a full project reboot" and the beige XR desktop lookalike in the Business London Press article might be part of that, at the moment, it seems they don't respond to e-mail or even repairs devices they previously requested to have sent in. Mine is in Limbo.

I've made one more e-mail attempt and will report back here when something happens, or not. If they still won't reply, I must probably get another phone. As the performance of a Cosmo is enough for me, it wouldn't have to be that expensive, but I would miss the keyboard.

[jakfish]

Daniel, thanks for the careful write-up. Since I didn't back the Astro, I tried using the fxtec pro1x, but its telephony in the US was terrible, callers couldn't hear me, dropped packets, etc.

From there, and successfully daily-driving it since last September, I went with this:

https://www.amazon.com/Unihertz-Pocket-Smartphone-Android-Unlocked/dp/B09J4TPZDD/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1X9ABM12JQBX8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.YPyXOG1ZiBz0bsAKHKfoHHczDfU-VGOBBmDh2JxUOXrgfxok5RF8_-OELMLkMy248RjBQgS4IKA2qmpXrhV6MuJxLnFK5v9mWmKByGh9ui4DT3xQ0bC-BMdBKaL3-wyowivwWYqP1VQJXObJ54s7-hWQAfw5wCC7enHjkUq5bI4cl1PISyvmVo1c4Q0QHU-qgQPxBNkM7unhSo2Lz0pJa867MB4bVboPOj6Rm8nSE04.OJmnTOaob9F8AJgNXqXD6hPyceYdyL_4s-S9QBVGJt0&dib_tag=se&keywords=unihertz&qid=1708465357&sprefix=unihe%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.c3015c4a-46bb-44b9-81a4-dc28e6d374b3

A solid BB imitator that has yet to fail me communication-wise. Stuck on Android 11, but fully functional, and over in discord.com, a clever fellow has developed a Lineage for current Android (I don't run it). Unihertz phones have a faithful following with few complaints.

Jake

[Daniel W]

Thank you for Jake suggesting the Unihertz. Long ago, I had devices in a similar form factor. Sony Ericsson P990, Nokia E70, E71 and E6-00 comes to mind. While useful for brief notes and basic messaging, they wouldn't do for things like taking real time meeting notes or working with larger documents. The longest text I've written on my Cosmo so far, is a bit over 800 000 characters, and it's not done yet.

For such use cases, putting a Gemini, Cosmo or Astro on a table and typing with both hands, is about as small as I can go. Once upon a time I had a Psion Revo, with a keyboard layout similar to the Planet devices, but rather than 14.5mm, the letter keys were about 13mm wide, which was too small for me, so something like a fxtec pro1x would probably just end up being frustrating for me.

I have a reasonably good (non backlit, unfortunately) foldable Bluetooth keyboard, with an integrated phone holder, 15.5mm wide letter keys (and dedicated keys for Å and Ä). It looks like this (Gemini keyboard and a swipe card for scale)

 

While nowhere near as convenient as an integrated keyboard, it at least works with most regular smartphones.

Oh, well, this is sliding off topic. Planet still hasn't replied to my third email in about a month, so I guess it about time to go shopping. Would the Astro ever return, it might be good to have a fully working spare phone, unless I'd find a new home for it. We'll see.

[jakfish]

I understand your position. While I can use TextMaker on the Unihertz, it's for brief additions to existing chapters, everything temporary until I can return to a computer. The Unihertz does make a large phone, the Titan, but I doubt even that would solve your kb needs. And the Titan is a hefty beast.

I have the ZAAG bt kb, which looks remarkably similar to your Voxicon.

Jake

[Daniel W]

Sorry for further derailing this thread, but as "Q:Anything from Planet? A:No!" is kind of exhausted, here goes:

Yes, the ZAGG Pocket foldable bluetooth keyboard (194g and 223.5 x 54.5 x 14.5 mm folded) is pretty similar in design. This Voxicon BT Mini 199B is a wee tad neater (161g and about 202 x 46 x 15 mm folded), which makes the layout a tad cramped, with shrunk, incorrectly staggered number keys, and Ä in the wrong spot, but as it barely fits my relevant pockets, I can't really go bigger and I'm pretty pleased.

The device holder is basic and compact. For beyond 8" tablets, I'd recommend a larger keyboard. It charges via old Micro-USB. AFAIK Voxicon is a store brand for the Nordic web retailer Dustin. The keyboard presents itself as "DK-199B-G" which seems to be their article number. It might be a "B.O.W HB199", with a Nordic layout and a slightly different firmware.

[Dom (shymega)]

Planet is still alive, and I'm working on negotiating employment with them for Linux on phones.

I can't go into much detail, as I do not wish to set expectations.

However, they are alive and well.

[Daniel W]

That's certainly a sign of life. Thank you for sharing that. For the benefit of us all, I wish you the best of luck in your negotiations.

As some kind of follow-up on my own situation: since Planet hasn't yet returned my Astro, doesn't answer email and my Cosmo is crumbling, I have now moved to a cheap regular smartphone (and an external bluetooth keyboard). While less convenient, it's nice to have a device with a somewhat current version of Android again, that I dare to update, and a camera driver written by someone with a hunch about photography.

Until, if ever, Planet gets anything smartphone related going again, I probably don't have much reason to be here, though I guess I'll check in once in a while anyway. It would be really nice if mid-spec productivity-oriented "real keyboard" phones could become a viable, stable "UMPC of Chromebooks" niche, perhaps in cooperation with an established manufacturer, rather than some nebulous "ODM partner" that might be gone tomorrow. Time will tell.

[jakfish]

Hmm. I hope you're right, Dom. Since this is the go-to forum for all things Planet, and since the forum posts have dropped precipitously, both from the unavailability/shipment of current devices and a general dearth of PC response, I can't find much promise. But I have fingers crossed for your perspective.

I've cobbled together a $4usd battery and my Gemini to run 3-5 hours on a Gemian install, and that has been great, but not much is going on OESF, which tells me not much is going on with PC

[Daniel W]

To, if possible, preserve context, I'm trying here first. So, in the hope that someone still reads this old stuff: Greetings!

First, since someone seemingly still pays to keep their web sites up, their support email still issues tickets (that nobody replies to) and their shop, though stale, still offers things, is Planet Computers meaningfully active? Do they take orders? Do they ship? Has anyone heard from them? Are there any vital signs? Early last year Dom (shymega) was working on negotiating employment with them. Did anything ever come out of that?

Second, as some may recall, about two years ago, I sent my Astro to Planet, as a deficient update had disabled its screen. After giving them every benefit of doubt, the present reality is that instead of returning it, fixed or not, they ghosted me and essentially stole my Astro.

Last, as I recently relieved my still working Cosmo of its last important duty, I am contemplating to backup the thing, factory reset it and try to donate it to someone interested, preferably in Sweden, together with my remaining Planet paraphernalia, including an old Gemini, an unused car mount kit, an unworn Planet T-shirt and some other accessories. While I haven't quite made up my mind yet, would there be any takers of the lot here?

Yes, I know there is another part of the forum for that purpose. For now I'm mostly trying to gauge interest, if any.

[Dom (shymega)]

To, if possible, preserve context, I'm trying here first. So, in the hope that someone still reads this old stuff: Greetings!

First, since someone seemingly still pays to keep their web sites up, their support email still issues tickets (that nobody replies to) and their shop, though stale, still offers things, is Planet Computers meaningfully active? Do they take orders? Do they ship? Has anyone heard from them? Are there any vital signs? Early last year Dom (shymega) was working on negotiating employment with them. Did anything ever come out of that?

I tried, but haven't heard from Janko since March 2023. I occasionally hear from two other Planet employees, but unfortunately no dice. I now work for an open-source consultancy remotely (I'm actually up north for a office visit as I write this). I'm disappointed and feel that I've been put in a difficult position by Planet, with no way to support the community.

I've had personal attacks, and it's not a good position to be in. I have to tread carefully due to NDAs, and balance technical development with reasonable caution, which has led to some accusations that I have 'held back development', when it's more a matter of caution and making sure we tread carefully.

Second, as some may recall, about two years ago, I sent my Astro to Planet, as a deficient update had disabled its screen. After giving them every benefit of doubt, the present reality is that instead of returning it, fixed or not, they ghosted me and essentially stole my Astro.

Unfortunately, it seems they have changed focus, and I'm not even sure what the heck they're up to. I can chase up contacts at Planet for you if you DM me, and see what I can do. You should have the Astro back by now at least!

My Astro is also broken with attestation keys, so I can't even pay with it. It's basically a paperweight now. Development device at best.

Last, as I recently relieved my still working Cosmo of its last important duty, I am contemplating to backup the thing, factory reset it and try to donate it to someone interested, preferably in Sweden, together with my remaining Planet paraphernalia, including an old Gemini, an unused car mount kit, an unworn Planet T-shirt and some other accessories. While I haven't quite made up my mind yet, would there be any takers of the lot here?

Heh, I'd be interested in the Gemini. How's it doing - intact and working, display-wise? And where did you get the Planet t-shirt from? I never got one from Planet. Should've. I'm in the UK, though, not sure how dear shipping is from Sweden...

[Daniel W]

I'm disappointed and feel that I've been put in a difficult position by Planet, with no way to support the community. I've had personal attacks, and it's not a good position to be in. I have to tread carefully due to NDAs, and balance technical development with reasonable caution, which has led to some accusations that I have 'held back development', when it's more a matter of caution and making sure we tread carefully.

I feel your pain. I suppose many, probably Planet included, were put in difficult positions, one way or another, when their factory, inventory and more got taken. Still, their so typical silence reasonably cannot be helping anyone.

Heh, I'd be interested in the Gemini. How's it doing - intact and working, display-wise? And where did you get the Planet t-shirt from? I never got one from Planet. Should've. I'm in the UK, though, not sure how dear shipping is from Sweden...

My Gemini is fine for its age, if in need of some cleaning. Though I put it away half-charged, it was completely flat when I took it out of storage yesterday. After some hesitation it charged and seems to run fine. While it likely wouldn't run for very long on battery, nothing is damaged or missing. I tried attaching some hastily snapped pictures, but got an error message saying the attachments directory isn't writeable, so I'll have to try and describe things instead.

My Gemini has the camera attachment (I still also have the original cover panel without a camera cutout), a Swe/Fin keyboard and my power bricks are for the EU. Besides the device itself, I have the original box, the cover removal tool, the Planet-branded leather sleeve, the full printed manual (in, I'd say, near-mint condition), some paperworks (including the sticker sheet) and one of those Planet-branded USB/Ethernet hubs. I also have an unused car mount kit, my Cosmo, its box, the box for my Astro and the original keyboard rubber mat for my Gemini (which didn't quite work, so I was sent a replacement).

Beyond the above, I have one of those HDMI adaptor cables, which was golden when I tried to fix my Astro myself. I'd have to hold on to that, just in case my Astro would ever find its way home and I'd somehow be able to reflash it with anything useful. As the device was when I sent it to Planet, that cable was really the only way for me to see anything (I think I managed to hook up ADB over WiFi or something weird like that, but I couldn't do anything useful with it). I'd also have to hold on to a power brick or two, but I guess EU power bricks wouldn't be that useful to you anyway?

Ideally, I'd like to send all the stuff I don't need in one packet to one place, but if you're interested in specifically the Gemini and maybe some accessories, tell me what you'd want and we'll work something out. I have no clue about shipping costs. For you it would be free anyway.

The T-shirt was crowdfunded, I think, and has some concept art for the Gemini printed on it. While I am not really a T-shirt person, back then, I tried, within reason, to get one each of the things Planet crowdfunded, which is how I ended up with a car mount kit despite not using a car. Some logistics hiccup led to me eventually receiving two, neither of which they wanted back. I managed to donate one to someone in Denmark (I think) a few years ago. The remaining kit has been lightly tested but not really used.

I can chase up contacts at Planet for you if you DM me, and see what I can do. You should have the Astro back by now at least!

Yes, please. I'll DM the serial number, my backer Id, my current address and whatever I think might be useful. I'm not really sure why I want a most likely not fixed and, by now, mostly outdated device back, but I do. If Planet are broke nowadays, I can pay for return shipping, provided they still have some reasonably smooth way of receiving money from an individual abroad.

/Daniel