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The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

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Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

#31

Post by h73 »

fmajid wrote: post #11
tsm wrote: post #4

Tangential: I'm looking for a handheld Linux computer that's the approximate size and shape of a GameBoy Advance SP, but with a QWERTY keyboard and wifi. The old Zipit Z-2 would've been perfect. All it needs to run is git and Emacs/org-mode. It's a surprisingly hard form factor to shop for—anyone have any recommendations?

I have a Planet Computers Gemini, which is a reinterpretation of the Psion Series 5, running Android but you can also install Linux. They have new models since, but I've heard reports the company is not honoring orders, so caveat emptor. Another option would be one of the GPD Pocket mini-laptops, they actually ship with Ubuntu. I'd gotten one of the older models, but the screen was just too small for my tired eyes: h…

GPD MicroPC is really neat. Still one of my favorite devices in the gadget drawer.

Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

#33

Post by jraph »

saidinesh5 wrote: post #10
usr1106 wrote: post #5

Not sure why I would want a handheld computer. But I still need a phone (calling, SMS) occasionally. So I use that also for browsing and messaging, too. GNU/Linux would be a great plus. What are my realistic alternatives? Realistic meaning not a huge amount of work and/or unreliable/buggy system.

If you just want calling, sms, browsing and messaging, and some amount of GNU/Linux, your main options are: 1) Any officially supported sailfish OS device ( https://shop.jolla.com/ - which includes their licensed and officially blessed version for older sony xperia services) 2) Any ubuntu touch supported devices: https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/promoted/ Would be very stable... And good enough for daily use.. But hon…

> I don't see the value of running desktop Linux software on these devices anymore...

Running desktop software, not really, but I see 3 main points of interest for an alternative to Android (which could be mobile Linux):

- Getting rid of the proprietary bits, in particular userspace drivers (which could be achievable with some degoogled Android running a mainline Linux kernel too)

- Getting rid of Google's control over the platform's main distribution channel for apps, and on the overall design of the platform. Let's remind that Google makes money with ads and the design of Android is likely guided by this. Let's also remind that Google is letting key AOSP apps die (AOSP keyboard, the phone app, the SMS/MMS app, the calendar app).

- Getting rid of having to build apps using the Android SDK, which is huge, bloated, and requires you to accept Google terms and conditions

Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

#36

Post by argsnd »

Etheryte wrote: post #22
dmd wrote: post #13

If you want something similar to this RIGHT NOW that has thousands of available parts and millions of users, see https://m5stack.com/

That looks pretty interesting, do you happen to have any first hand experience with this? In my experience, platforms like this live and die by the pain of unhandled edge cases, so even if the happy path works fine, it can still be something to avoid.

It is an ESP32 with reasonably off the shelf components so for hobbyist purposes I think the concern is minimal. Obviously because it’s an ESP32 you can’t expect to run Linux on it.

Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

#38

Post by tartoran »

tsm wrote: post #4

Tangential: I'm looking for a handheld Linux computer that's the approximate size and shape of a GameBoy Advance SP, but with a QWERTY keyboard and wifi. The old Zipit Z-2 would've been perfect. All it needs to run is git and Emacs/org-mode. It's a surprisingly hard form factor to shop for—anyone have any recommendations?

For a slightly larger, look at the uConsole from ClockworkPi. It is probably double the size and doesn't have the same form factor though.

Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

#39

Post by Asmod4n »

usr1106 wrote: post #5

Not sure why I would want a handheld computer. But I still need a phone (calling, SMS) occasionally. So I use that also for browsing and messaging, too. GNU/Linux would be a great plus. What are my realistic alternatives? Realistic meaning not a huge amount of work and/or unreliable/buggy system.

I for one am seeing the future of desktop PCs to be fully in the handheld space and the desktop part becoming obsolete.

The current gen handheld AMD APUs are super fast. All that’s needed is one external PCIe 5 connector so you can plug in a GPU when you are at home and you can have a PC with a 6 TB SSD, 64 GB RAM and a 16 core CPU in your pocket at all times while on the go.

Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

#40

Post by rickcarlino »

globular-toast wrote: post #16
rickcarlino wrote: post #2

Be sure to put those connectors through adequate stress testing. I’ve had several products that use a similar design (Garmin watch, Bluetooth headset) and I’ve been disappointed to find that the connector wears out with time.

On Garmin watches the springy mechanical part is on the cable, not the watch. Have you observed the watch itself wearing out? I would hope it's designed such that the cable is sacrificial and the watch lasts. In the product here the springs appear to be on the device side, which seems to me like the bit that would be more likely to wear out. That's concerning, but there's more chance of being to able to replace it th…

That’s a correct assessment of the situation, but the lifetime of the cables is not satisfactory with my expectations. I do eventually buy a new cable every six months, but I really just wish there was a USB-C port with a rubber plug in it.
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