What are some interesting use-cases for this?
I can imagine sys admins would like this for remote admin.
I can't think off the top of my head why general hackers would keep this in their pockets most of the time.
I can imagine sys admins would like this for remote admin.
I can't think off the top of my head why general hackers would keep this in their pockets most of the time.
Well and I'm not one of those, but I'm still seriously considering getting it - or rather, the cheaper version without LoRa. I can't really tell you anything from the top of my head, but back when I had my N900, it found so many unexpected uses constantly. Having a full-blown Linux machine in your pocket is a seriously different game than any of the current gen of smartphones.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psion_Series_5#/media/File:200...
and shove modern hardware/screen into it running stock gnu/linux.
As far as I can tell, it can dualboot linux and android (or even sailfish OS!)
As for use cause. I don't know. Nice to have a keyboard but I'm carrying two phones around now which is kind of stupid. The front display it total garbage, slow ui and useless.
Their next model seems more practical as the screen is on the outside allowing use without having to fold open the keyboard which is kind of annoying on the gemini.
Truth be told, its only really usable when running android. BUT:
* its easily rooted (the bootloader is open, and Planet provide a rooted android image)
* with Termux (or a full chroot of your choice), you do get most of the way towards "the linux experience"
Early batches may have been hit or miss. Mine was from the 2nd indiegogo batch, and all I can say is, hardware-wise, its really good.
I've used it HEAVILY over the last couple of years. Dropped it a few times. They keyboard is good. It does have genuine tactile feedback. Given the size limitations, its brilliant.
And yes, I did have more than 1 Psion back in the day (from the calculator-style model, all the way to the famed Psion 5).
And as far as keyboard feel is concerned, on my desktop, I use ergonomic mechanical keyboards (ergodox & atreus62) with various switch types - which means that yes - I am a bit picky when it comes to keyboards.
And I have to say that, given the size limitations, the Gemini keyboard is a marvel. Its genuinely usable. I also have a GPD Pocket. Thats significantly larger, with a chiclet style keyboard.
The Gemini keyboard blows it out of the water.
I have no qualms over opening up termux, and neovim or joe, switching between multiple tabs, buffers and embedded terminals, and banging out some code.
(although I do wish they had used an ortholinear layout for the keyboard, and I wish I could properly remap the layout a la qmk)
As a phone, it has its limitations. But, if you pair it with a smartwatch, many of those limitations can be overcome. Its been my only phone for over a year.
On a final note, nothing beats being able to sit in front of a large screen android-enabled tv, pull out my phone/pda/psion-remake, connect via miracast, and just bang away ....
Its a hoot :)
(genuinely asking for ideas)