24 lines
3.8 KiB
Markdown
24 lines
3.8 KiB
Markdown
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date = "2018-10-13T21:48:00-07:00"
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title = "Gemini PDA"
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slug = "gemini-pda"
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image="https://i2.wp.com/cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2402/7083/products/Image-PDA-2-3-Right-1_1296x.jpg?resize=840%2C560&ssl=1"
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<figure style="width: 1296px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img src="https://i2.wp.com/cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2402/7083/products/Image-PDA-2-3-Right-1_1296x.jpg?resize=840%2C560&ssl=1" alt="Gemini PDA" width="840" height="560" data-recalc-dims="1" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Gemini PDA</figcaption></figure>
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Last year, I backed <a href="https://www.planetcom.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Planet Computer’s</a> Indiegogo campaign for the <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/gemini-pda-android-linux-keyboard-mobile-device--2/x/4406764#/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gemini PDA</a>. Now, if I had this nice <a href="/category/os/chromeos/pixelbook/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PixelBook</a>, why would I need something like this?
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Well, for one thing, I have always been a sucker for PDAs. While I never had the original PDA, the Psions, I have owned a few over the years. An <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Newton" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple MessagePad</a>, a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_Zaurus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sharp Zarus</a>, a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Embedded_Compact" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WindowsCE</a> device (forget which one), and many, many <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_(PDA)" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Palm devices</a> (including a PalmPilot, Palm III, Palm IIIx, Palm V, Palm Vx, Palm m505, Tungsten C, and Tungsten T2 (which I still have)).
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The main reason I liked them was the ability to carry my calendar, and have active reminders. When I used a paper-based planner, I would miss things because I would be working on something and not notice the time.
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However, with the advent of not dumb-phones (like a Sony Ericsson K series) which you could send an email to the phone, and have it show up as a text message let me only carry one device (the phone vs the phone **and** a PDA). Then, about 10 years ago, the true smartphones hit the market with full integration into both work and personal email and calendars, and a fully functioning web browser, plus working turn-by-turn GPS based navigation.
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Most of my employers in the last 20+ years provide me with a laptop for use both in the office, and on the road. However, the current and former employers have a different model, and do not provide me with a laptop for travel. So, I need to carry my own.
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Now, while the PixelBook is thin and light, it still takes up space on a desk. And, when I am visiting other offices for my current employer, desk space is at a premium, and the PixelBook does not really fit. And, I have long made it a personal policy to not use my employer’s machines and network for personal emails and network use.
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Enter the Gemini. Why not use my phone to read email and such? The main reason is while I am pretty decent at using the on-screen keyboard, I find it lacking for long typing sessions. That is where the Gemini is different. It has a physical keyboard, and even though it is smaller than any laptop I have used before, I still find I can use it pretty well and type reasonably fast on it. And the battery is pretty decent.
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<a href="https://www.duckland.org/2018/09/yet-another-trip-to-the-uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">My last trip</a> I ended up using the Gemini more than the PixelBook. Things like Skype, uploading and editing photos, email, etc. It worked pretty well. I am thinking about the next trip, not bringing a laptop and just use the Gemini. The display is nice, and when I am in the hotel room, I can hook it up to the TV over a HDMI cable.
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