Planet Computers demoed the Cosmo Communicator, a clamshell PDA [Personal Digital Assistant] which can run Android/Linux or GNU/Linux, at CES. It is expected to be on the market by June 2019. The device has a miniature keyboard, essential for a PDA, and many additional features including the ability to operate as a dual-SIM phone. It also features dual displays: a 2-inch AMOLED which is visible when the device is closed and a larger (5.99-inch, 2160×1080) LCD touchscreen LCD panel visible when the device is opened to access the keyboard.
(Score: 2) by All Your Lawn Are Belong To Us on Friday January 11 2019, @09:40PM (1 child)
I think I misunderstood that you were asking about two separate things when speaking of needing a cellular plans and a VPS for trying to use Linux on an IOS device and the answer is twofold. No, I don't need a cellular data plan with an iPhone any more than with this device. Or rather I'd either need one on either or none on either. Second, yes, I would need either a VPS or if I had a spare laptop laying around I could engage its VNC capability and share it to my iPhone [wordpress.com]. The cost of a used unit to do this would be negligible I think - if I wanted to try it I could do so for free right now but YMMV. Or buy a MUCH cheaper phone and a much cheaper laptop and make the functionality happen at a much lower cost than this.
But you've made my point. This is a niche product with a hefty price tag. I still think it's really cool. Is it economically viable? Nope, even though I wish it well and hope it does succeed and hope I'm wrong. In fact, it will be interesting to see if it actually launches or not.
This sig for rent.
(Score: 3, Informative) by damnbunni on Saturday January 12 2019, @09:19PM
Given that this is basically an upgraded version of their Gemini PDA with the three most requested features added - an outside camera, backlit keyboard, and outside screen - and the Gemini has been shipping for a while, I'm confident the Cosmo will ship.
I have a Gemini, and I love it. It's my main phone. I use a Pebble with it, so I get my notifications that way and can make calls without having to open the keyboard, but for 'main phone' use I'd consider a smartwatch of some sort essential for the Gemini.
The "tiny keyboard" is fine. It's almost exactly the same as the Psion 5's. I have big hands and no problems typing on the thing. I could see it being too big for small hands when you're holding it and thumb-typing, though.
And the Gemini's optional camera unit is utter ass. If you have a Gemini and are considering it, don't bother. It's obvious the thing was never intended to have one. It suffices for taking pictures of receipts and the like, but that's about it. The inside cam produces much better pictures and is fine for video calls.
A clamshell keyboard PDA/phone is certainly a niche product, but it's a niche they basically have all to themselves. Their whole pitch for the Gemini wasn't really 'We have wonderful dreams and brilliant designers and will make the best thing ever' so much as 'We miss the Psion 5, so we got the Psion's keyboard and hinge designers to work on an updated version, and we have businessmen who know how to get stuff made in China.' It's that last part that so many crowdfunded hardware projects are missing.