What do you think about Astro Slide project?

Keneda

I ask users and devs opinion here.

It's a device (491€ early bird) from planet computer (designed by Martin Riddiford the designer of Psion 5), crowfounded device maker that already achieved 2 devices, that is planed to support androïd 10 with it's manufacturer version (or any other version of it, from replicant if they support it for exemple), and also a native dual boot possibility, with a GNU/Linux OS. Or any other combination of OSs that would support it.

It's a full smartphone and a micro laptop with mechanical backlighted keyboard in the same device.
Not a clam type but slider one, if you don't need keyboard, it doesn't bother you.

The perfect convergence achievement i believe.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/astro-slide-5g-transformer#/
text alternatif

Would you be interested by such device, with a UBports on it, would you be more interested if a 100% open sourced hardware of it is made, even with a lower version of it (only 4G for instance)?

Is UBPorts team heard about this project, and if yes, interested in porting OBP OS on it?

https://www.planetcom.co.uk/

poVoq

Yes this seems rather cool. But to be honest, I can't really justify the expense until I actually need a new main phone.

Thus as a developer's plaything it is too expensive, and I think the PinePhone with the upcoming keyboard shell is probably the more realistic option.

Lakotaubp

Just moved to OT please see here https://forums.ubports.com/topic/206/will-you-port-to-device-x

Keneda

@poVoq said in What do you think about Astro Slide project?:

Thus as a developer's plaything it is too expensive, and I think the PinePhone with the upcoming keyboard shell is probably the more realistic option.

For a dev maybe, but for a daily user, having a keybord integrated in device all in the pocket is far more convinient than a keybord in addition to it.
Not to mention the power gap between those devices.
Pricing of this device is barely the same as Librem 5.

@Lakotaubp said in What do you think about Astro Slide project?:

Just moved to OT please see here https://forums.ubports.com/topic/206/will-you-port-to-device-x

This is NOT a "will/would you port to device" topic, that aspect is secondary to this topic, i think asking people (including devs) what they feel about a device that COULD see a ubports on it is not off topic...

Additionnaly, i didn't post it on "porting" section, but "general" section, so i don't understand why you put a link to "porting" section topic rules.

Just tell what you feel about this device instead please...

poVoq

@Keneda said in What do you think about Astro Slide project?:

@poVoq said in What do you think about Astro Slide project?:

Thus as a developer's plaything it is too expensive, and I think the PinePhone with the upcoming keyboard shell is probably the more realistic option.

For a dev maybe, but for a daily user, having a keybord integrated in device all in the pocket is far more convinient than a keybord in addition to it.

The keyboard addon for the Pinephone will be a backplate replacement, so it would be integrated and quite similar to the photos above.

Lakotaubp

@Keneda True not posted in porting but it is in a similar vain/variation of that point. So really the topic is OT and not about UT in general.
It also runs android 10 so no halium for that either. It might make a good topic for discussion but for now it does not have a fit except in OT. Thanks for your understanding.

Keneda

@poVoq said in What do you think about Astro Slide project?:

The keyboard addon for the Pinephone will be a backplate replacement, so it would be integrated and quite similar to the photos above.

Personnally i don't like having a "clam" style backplate/protector for my phones, i use pounchs. (that's why i did not make a topic about their gemini pda/phone https://www.www3.planetcom.co.uk/gemini-pda )

And if pinephone do the same as their laptop keybords (i checked that 2 weeks ago as i was interested with their laptops), there will only be qwerty (iso/ansi) ones. I use azerty.

And again, really pinephone is interesting, pricing good, but personnally i'd prefer hardware more powerfull like librem 5.

I don't think this astro phone should be compared to pinephone, but to librem 5.

@Lakotaubp
I undestand.

As i understood, halium is to make GNU/linux based phone os better portable to androïd phones (mine, MX4, doesn't have a halium port). Halium will never be compatible with A10?

domubpkm

Maybe interesting but not in my budget! Might as well go towards the Volla phone which will have the advantage of being officially supported by Ubports and being able to support two interesting complementary and interchangeable OSes at a price that is almost still affordable. Anyway I don't see UT porting to a 1000 € device however powerful it is, even if it were possible ! Only my point of view.

arubislander

@Keneda said in What do you think about Astro Slide project?:

@poVoq said in What do you think about Astro Slide project?:

Thus as a developer's plaything it is too expensive, and I think the PinePhone with the upcoming keyboard shell is probably the more realistic option.

For a dev maybe, but for a daily user, having a keybord integrated in device all in the pocket is far more convinient than a keybord in addition to it.

In this stage of the project it is exactly the fact that this device is rather expensive that will be a barrier for having a port anytime soon, if at all.

Keneda

Planet Computers will start receiving parts soon.
Android 11 Mediatek (sic) source code received.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/astro-slide-5g-transformer#/updates/all

kugiigi

@keneda I just learned about this and it has some advantages from the fxtec pro1 X. First, it seems to be a bit cheaper, then the features like 5G, Wifi6, wireless charging and onscreen fingerprint sensor. The keyboard seems to be better as well. However, I still personally like the fxtec because it's smaller and uses snapdragon. That mediatek processor might be a hurdle for a UT or other OS ports.

Keneda

@kugiigi
It's crowdfounded price so it will increase.
Yes features are the last ones. Keyboard will be laptop equal.
Yes Mediatek could be a problem.

But planet computers work with them (like canonical in its time lol) from long now.
And they have what they need to make their devices quite what they want (custom androïd, dual boot, linux desktop)

In other way, they do small prod of good custom hardware.
And uTouch already got ported on cosmo from them https://forums.ubports.com/topic/3453/cosmo-communicator/3

And dual boot with linux desktop is something to notice on a lapfone.

And who knows, maybe if lot of ut and like or linux desktop users ask for it, they could do a libre hardware one.

kugiigi

@keneda WHat other OS do they support currently? And how's the UT port for the Cosmos? It's just a bit vague to me that they repeatedly mention multi boot with Linux OS without at giving one example that already works.

flohack

Some update from the foundation, we have made contact now with Planet and might be able to help porting UT, so it should become a supported device

kugiigi

@flohack That's great to know. I'm hoping it'll be successful. I'm just worried because I can't think of recent port to Mediatek devices. First 5G UT phone I guess
Too bad, the form factor isn't really for me.

libremax

@kugiigi said in What do you think about Astro Slide project?:

@flohack That's great to know. I'm hoping it'll be successful. I'm just worried because I can't think of recent port to Mediatek devices.

Really ? Never heard about VollaPhone ?

kugiigi

@libremax I heard about it but I forgot it's Mediatek too
I guess what I have in mind are community ports.

Keneda

@flohack
That's a very good new ^^

Will they send you some devices to help?

@kugiigi said in What do you think about Astro Slide project?:

I guess what I have in mind are community ports.

The only one i know is the cosmo one.

For the OS running on PC devices you can go here : https://www.qwant.com/?q=cosmos communicator&t=videos&client=qwant-firefox
^^

A Former User

"keyboard will be laptop equal"

I can vouch for the Planet keyboard having run a Cosmo as my daily driver for the last 12months, that Martin Riddiford chap clearly knows what he's doing. I can only speak from my own experience, mine needed to bed in initially, but now it's quicker than me. Some people have reported some issues, maybe related to early production issues or expectations, it isn't a real 'real' mechanical keyboard after all. Have a look at oesf.org for info and other experience. Personally I am more than happy with mine.

On a desk typing 'properly', in the passenger seat with it on my lap, or thumb typing stood up or reclining on the sofa, it is just so nice. Out of the pocket, instant on, no farting around with a separate bluetooth keyboard, it makes you productive, you look forward to using it. Pecking away at a virtual character behind a flat untactile piece of glass like some demented seagull looking through the window of the local fish and chip shop just feels so wrong now. How did this ever become the norm? I also genuinely even prefer it to my 'real' laptop, which is only a little 11" one, but the keyboard seems so vast and so much effort compared to my Cossie. I came to Planet for the possibility of Linux, but definitely stayed there for the keyboard. UBPorts on Planet Cosmo is the best.

I am watching the Astro Glide or Slide keenly, as I watched the Cosmo and the Gemini before it, it's nice to have a choice. I won't be buying one just now, simply because I am happy with my Cosmo, but if I could justify it I would be in at the drop of a hat. Unfortunately, if I ordered yet another gadget in the current climate or whatever, my loved one would smother me in my sleep.

Keneda

Planet computer is also doing Q&A videos for backers regularily.

This evening is Q&A day, starting in 3 hours :

https://youtu.be/P9e18HG09qQ