Gemini PDA

zzarr · 22 Oct 2017, 18:23

@WLBI Indeed you are correct, but I had a Meizu MX4 and really liked how the ui worked on it and think that the ui would suite the device very well.

Other whys Gnome 3 could be nice too of course.

As long as anbox can run the Android apps I want to run.

Best case scenario anbox would run the apps on the Android system (so that I would have to boot into Android only if an app is not compatible with anbox).

thepeter · 5 Jan 2018, 07:01

Did you get your Gemini PDA? I am considering that device, so if you have usable insigthts I would like to know as much as possible

doniks · 6 Jan 2018, 08:48

@zzarr said in Gemini PDA:

Strange, I'm sure I read that the drivers and software would be open source and that it would be based on Linux kernel 4.9.

Do you think you could dig up that reference? Would be interesting to see.

zzarr · 9 Feb 2018, 07:39

Hello!

I have not gotten my unit yet, but it's close now, the mass production have begun, the first 3000 devices have been produced and they are doing final quality tests now before shipping.

I can't find any information about software except that they have booted Debian on the device.

Further more, I have ordered a Sentio Superbook, I think it will be a nice companion to the PDA.

If I find any info I'll write it here.

PST: Tomorrow the price will increase with $200.

Best Regards

zzarr · 22 Mar 2018, 20:12

I have gotten my PDA now!

What is the status of Anbox for ARM?

Best Regards

zzarr · 17 Apr 2018, 14:09

Hello!

I got my Gemini a few weeks ago, so far I only have Android on it and Ubuntu is not ready.

The kernel and bootloader is open source, they can be found here: https://github.com/dguidipc

I have following questions:
As Planet Computers is porting Ubuntu desktop to the device, should I wait for them to be ready and not ask any more here?
Is there a simple way to port Ubuntu Touch to the device?
Is it possible to port Ubuntu 18.04?
Does anyone else have a Gemini or is waiting and want the same thing?

As I wrote in the last post I'm waiting on a Sentio Superbook (laptop dock/DisplayLink based).

Best Regards
/ Rasmus

TheKit · 17 Apr 2018, 22:18

@zzarr said in Gemini PDA:

Is there a simple way to port Ubuntu Touch to the device?

No shortcuts or simple ways here :). I'm working on it though:

It's not ready for daily use, but what currently works (with different hacks) is:

Display/Touch screen
Keyboard
Cellular connectivity + outgoing voice calls
Sound
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth

If you want to help with porting or test it, you can ping me in UBPorts Telegram group.

As for desktop Ubuntu, I suppose it's currently on hold with main focus being put on Debian. Those two are going to share adaptation bits (in fact, the current plan is to use some Ubuntu Touch software and middleware on "desktop" Debian to provide, for example, phone application), so it doesn't make sense to duplicate efforts with limited resources just now.

doniks · 18 Apr 2018, 05:18

@thekit said in Gemini PDA:

It's not ready for daily use, but what currently works

That list sounds rather complete. What's missing in your opinion for daily use?

TheKit · 18 Apr 2018, 08:38

@doniks said in Gemini PDA:

That list sounds rather complete. What's missing in your opinion for daily use?

Getting it more polished and stable. Same can be said about UBPorts 16.04 itself, which is still in devel (see https://github.com/ubports/ubuntu-touch/milestone/7), and lots of apps would need to be recompiled for it to work properly.

zzarr · 19 Apr 2018, 08:58

@thekit That looks amazing!

I'm guessing that incoming calls is the biggest questionmark in my head.

But I have to say very well done!

I know it's an early question but is it possible to run Android apps via Anbox?

Is it possible to dualboot?

Remember 16.04 will be supported in 3 more years.

Would I be able to install a 18.04 desktop container?

Once more, I love the work you have done!

Best Regards

TheKit · 25 Apr 2018, 21:15

@zzarr said in Gemini PDA:

I know it's an early question but is it possible to run Android apps via Anbox?
Is it possible to dualboot?
Remember 16.04 will be supported in 3 more years.
Would I be able to install a 18.04 desktop container?

I'm a week late, but I didn't look much into this yet. In theory, Anbox works on "official" MediaTek UBPorts devices, but it needs some kernel patches.

Dualboot works same way as with Android/Debian. As for 18.04 container, that sounds like what Libertine does if you want to run graphical apps. Not sure if it has been ported to 16.04 yet, you can check this in general discussions/project GitHub issues as it's not specific to this device.

zzarr · 27 Apr 2018, 14:44

Hello!

Thanks for your response, I will look in to it.

Best Regards

zzarr · 9 Aug 2018, 08:03

Hello everyone again!

Is it possible to patch the kernel to be able to run libertine on Gemini yet?

I thought of a useful thing, if I would be able to use a part of the right hand side of the display as track pad (control a mouse cursor), this would make it easier to use desktop applications in libertine.

Best Regards

doniks · 9 Aug 2018, 10:22

@zzarr said in Gemini PDA:

Hello everyone again!

Is it possible to patch the kernel to be able to run libertine on Gemini yet?

I doubt there is a kernel patch needed for libertine. If it runs UT it runs libertine I would say.

zzarr · 20 Aug 2018, 09:11

@doniks Hello!

Nice!

I which to use UT as main OS on my device, but a few things hold me back right now.

Please correct me if I'm wrong on any of my statements. (I have yet to watch the latest Q&A.)

16.04 is not ready yet.
anbox is not ready yet.
it's not installable through the official installer. (will it be?)

But I keep my hopes up that those issues will be resolved in the near future.

How ever, as a former UT user I'm very exited! (Used a Meizu MX4.)

Best Regards

advocatux · 20 Aug 2018, 09:51

@zzarr hi

The xenial base is ready but some apps are not yet
Anbox works in some devices but not in others. After OTA-4 is released, Marius says he's going to add a lot of improvements, even in qualcomm devices
You can install 16.04 RC or devel using the ubports-installer now. In fact, you can do that since a long time ago

zzarr · 20 Aug 2018, 10:46

@advocatux Hello!

Thanks for a quick response!

Are you sure that the Gemini PDA is installable through the ubports-installer?
It is not listed on the webpage.

Do anbox work with bluetooth apps? (I have a smartwatch which I wish to have running.)

I know @TheKit got UT running on the Gemini PDA. The big question there is, is it ready for daily use?

I really hope that the Gemini PDA will be officially supported.

Best Regards

advocatux · 20 Aug 2018, 11:05

@zzarr ah, I didn't mean on Gemini PDA. Because you said "I which to use UT as main OS on my device" I thought you were talking about another device, sorry!

Anbox is under development, and in a very early stage, and there's a bug about bluetooth and watches (https://github.com/ubports/ubuntu-touch/issues/766) so more than likely it doesn't work out of the box.

zzarr · 20 Aug 2018, 13:44

@advocatux Hello again!

I see, maybe it'll be useful in the near future.

I have a Idea when it comes to libertine (the UI), could a virtual trackpad be added? (Maybe it exists and I have not used libertine for a long time?)

Best Regards

advocatux · 20 Aug 2018, 15:11

could a virtual trackpad be added?

@zzarr generally speaking, I think anything is possible if someone with the necessary knowledge and skills wants to improve something in UT but I don't know the technical requirements of that to give you an specific answer