It's time to Slide the Astro way

Planet Computers made a name for themselves by taking the Psion 5 clamshell design and making a modern version based on Android (well it could run multiple operating systems and dual boot Android and say Linux). The first version was the Gemini and then the Cosmo that had a small screen on the back to show who was calling and other notifications.

Well now is the latest evolution in mobile computing, the Astro Slide. Rather than being a clamshell, the outward facing display covers the keyboard and slides back and then the top moves up so it works like a normal screen. It will run Android 10.

This means none of the problems with actual folding screen and the complexity of manufactures. It's a high resolution touch screen, so the device works like a normal smartphone, but then slide back the display and there's a proper keyboard to type on.

The screen is 6.53 inches across with a resolution of 2340x1080 and 395 ppi, it's scratch resistant so is resistant to damage while in the phone state.

It's 5G and uses a modern Mediatek Dimensity 1000, MT6889 Octa-core SoC that is allegedly twice as fast as stuff that's out there now. As a phone there's 2 nano SIM slots and an eSIM all of which support 5G and it should support download speeds of 4.7Gps. Off course there's WiFi 6 too (the latest version).

The CPU has 4x A77 @ 2.6GHz, 256KB L2, 4x A55 @ 2.0GHz, 128KB L2 2MB L3, the GPU is an ARM G77 9-Core Manhattan 3.0: 120fps and there's an additional processing unit (for ML) 3rd Generation, 6-Core Total 4.5 TOPS.

It comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB Flash which is expandable by microSD card.

The rear camera is 48MP and there's also a 5MP front camera for video conferencing (useful in this day and age). Stereo speakers and an ambient microphone. For those people who like wired headphone there's also a 3.5mm jack, for those that don't there also Bluetooth 5.1 and supporting the new BLE Audio standard. There's also NFC (and will support payment systems) and wireless charging. For the entertainment buffs there's also a built-in FM radio (no DAB?) and for knowing where you are a modern GPS chipset supporting AGPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo Band L1 + L5 GNSS.

If that wasn't enough, there's also 2 USB-C ports (supporting OTG) and DisplayPort via an adapter and an finger print sensor to ensure only the right person uses it.

The mechanical keyboard will be available in the following languages (the script is actually laser etched on the keys themselves) Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Dvorak, Finnish / Swedish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian / Danish, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swiss, Thai, English UK, English US.

Unfortunately it's not going to ship for a while (March 2021), but is available on Indiegogo for an early bird price of £432.00 going up to £504.00 (the RRP will be £720.00).

The Gemini PDA, it's as close to a Psion as you'll get (and it's real)

Before the iPhone or even Blackberry, there was a PDA made by a company called Psion, well several, eventually culminating in the Series 5. It was a clamshell design with a keyboard on one side and the monochrome screen on the other. It could run applications and it did basic things like had a calendar, calculator and word processor, all driven by a toolbar running along the bottom of the screen. It also had a 'view' screen to see what was happening throughout your life (well days/weeks anyway).

Unfortunately Psion is no more, however a company called Planet Computers is trying to change that and though the actual Psion can't be resurrected, the Gemini is born. The company was set-up by Dr Janko Mrsic-Flogel who used to resell Psion hardware and develop software and has developed a lot of mobile cloud solutions under another company (Private Planet Ltd).

The Gemini looks and feels like a Psion 5

The PDA on the left is an actual working Psion 5 and the PDA on the right the Gemini - they do look remarkably similar. It's worth noting that the Gemini is also running a view screen that emulates the Psion calendar view, giving access to what's coming up in an easy to read manner.

The next picture shows another comparison, but with a lot of test keyboards too.

The various keyboards are for testing different membrane thicknesses and how 'clicky' the keys are. The current thinking is a softer keyboard which will probably appeal more to modern computer users who are used to the light touch, while programmers would probably prefer the keyboard with a deeper travel and more 'Cherry mechanical' keyboard feel (the programmers will probably lose out). But either way, it's perfect possible to touch type on either one.

Underneath the keyboard sits a big battery (removable Li-Ion 4220mAh) giving 12 hours talk-time and a full 2 weeks in standby.

The screen is a 5.99 inch FHD (18:9) with a resolution of 2160x1080 at 403 ppi and full colour. It looks very good. The Gemini doesn't come lightly spec'ed either with: -

• CPU - Mediatek MT6797X Helio X27 with 10 cores (2 x Cortex A72 @ 2.6GHz, 4 x Cortex A53 @ 2.0GHz, 4 x Cortex A53 @ 1.6GHz
• GPU - Quad core Mali T880 MP4 @ 875MHz
• RAM - 4GB
• ROM - 64GB
• Sound - Stereo speakers (either side of display)
• Microphone - integrated behind display and external 3.5mm jack
• Bluetooth - v4.0
• GPS - GPS and AGPS
• USB - 2 USB C ports (OTG support)
• Camera - front facing 5MP
• Sensors - accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, magneto-sensor, light sensor
• SD Card slot - takes at least 128GB, may take 256GB

The Gemini comes in 2 versions, WiFi only and WiFi with 4G. The specs for the 4G model are: -

• WiFi - 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
• GSM - 850/900/1800/1900 Mhz
• CDMA - 850/1900 Mhz BC0 BC1+ EVDO
• WCDMA - 900/2100 Mhz
• LTE - 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/17/20/41 and VoLTE

The 4G models has SIM slot (under the top lid) and both have an external camera module space (for a later rear 5MP camera module). There are also 5 fully programmable RGB LEDs on the lid, which can be programmed for fun, but also to light up to indicate, say, who's calling. When the phone rings, it can be operated without ever opening the case.

The Gemini's default operating system is Android (currently 7.1) and it will run many standard Android apps, but in order to make it more Psion like, there's a toolbar at the bottom of the screen that can launch specified apps (as well as using various Psion like key combinations).

There's a dedicated voice assist button giving access to Google's voice system.

A quirk is the Gemini can also dual-boot and the second partition holds Linux (currently Debian, but Planet will open source at least enough of the Linux side so other variants can be installed). Linux can also be run as a VM under Android (yes it does work).

All Planet apps can be run locally (with no need for access into the cloud), or they can link into the Private Planet cloud service (or Google's).

There will be a range of peripherals, but on launch there's a USB-C to HDMI adapter and a USB-C hub with 3 USB-A sockets, Ethernet port (and maybe others). There's also a USB-C mains charger and a nice leather pouch.

Using the HDMI adapter, an external HD display is easily driven running video/etc.

The Gemini is currently selling 'in-demand ' on Indiegogo (the original target was for $200,000 and it's now at over $800,000).

The WiFi only version sells for $299 and the WiFi + 4G is $399 (prices are likely to go up by $200 after the campaign).

The Gemini is a very nice unit and completely usable as a mobile phone, but with a full features of a PDA with a touch-typable keyboard so allowing productivity apps and leisure apps like video to run, even at the same time and it will fit into a jacket pocket.