GPD Pocket 7″ portable computer running Windows or Ubuntu Linux is getting some competition, as Gemini PDA has a similar form factor with a 5.7″ display and a keyboard, but instead of featuring an Intel processor, it is equipped with Mediatek X25 deca-core ARM Cortex A72/A53 processor, and runs either Android or Linux.
Gemini PDA specifications:
- SoC – Mediatek X25 deca-core ARM processor with 2x Cortex A72 @2.5GHz, 4x Cortex A53 @2.0GHz, 4x Cortex A53 @1.55GHz and Mali-T880 MP4 GPU @ 850 MHz
- System Memory – 4GB RAM
- Storage – 64GB flash, micro SD card slot (covered)
- Display – 5.7” QHD+ (2880×1440) multi-touch display; 18:9 aspect ratio
- Audio – Dual side mounted speakers, integrated ambient microphone, 3.5mm audio jack
- Connectivity
- WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, GPS with A-GPS, NFC
- 4G + WiFi model adds:
- GSM – 850/900/1800/1900MHz
- WCDMA – 900/2100MHz
- LTE – 1/2/3/4/5/7/17/20
- VoLTE – Compatible
- SIM slot + eSIM (ready)
- Camera – 5MP front-facing camera
- USB – 2x USB-C connectors
- Mechanical keyboard with English (UK/US), French, German, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Japanese, Chinese or Dvorak layout
- Sensors – Accelerometer, compass, light sensor, gyro, magneto-sensor, fingerprint scanner
- Misc – Integrated Voice Assist button
- Battery – Removable Li-Ion 8000mAh battery good for 2 weeks of stand-by time / 12 hours of talk time
- Dimensions- 17.1 cm x 8.0 cm x 1.35 cm
- Weight: 400 g
The device will support dual boot to Android or Linux, but the company did not specify exactly which version of Android, nor the Linux distribution to be pre-installed in the flash. You can watch the short promo video below, or if you want more insights Charbax interviewed the companies involved at Mobile World Congress 2017.
If you looked at the pictures and/or watch the promo video, you’ll have noticed the device is never turned on. That’s because that’s currently just a mock-up. However, Planet Computer team members have over 20 years of experience each, and Gemini PDA designer was involved in Psion PDAs in the past. If you are interested in the device, you could pledge $299 (WiFi only) or $349 (WiFi + 4G) on Indiegogo, where the project has already raised over $300,000. Shipping is not included and adds $20 to $70 depending on the country destination, and delivery is scheduled for November 2017.
[Update: Some people involved in the ever delayed Sinclar ZX crowdfunding campaign, are also involved in Gemini PDA according to that post]
Via LinuxGizmos
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Return of the Nokia Communicator!
@TC
No, it’s a Psion 5MX on steroids
Cool device! Just at the time as Android nearly killed every qwerty equipped phones…
will x25 open source?
But will it ship with open drivers for GPU/3D acceleration, VPU support, video decoding/encoding etc? Or just blobs which only work with outdated kernels/distros? Does it use the latest Mali drivers (r16+)? If not, how often will the userspace Mali drivers be updated? Is Vulkan even supported by the Mali driver in that SoC BSP?
Tbh, this platform, like most ARM-based products will end up being useless on Linux if the vendor refuses to provide proper open source drivers.