Gemini PDA vs actual PSION

Gemini PDA vs actual PSION
==========================

I have been preparing a proper review of the Gemini PDA [1] for my blog
but it is still far from finished. So I decided to summarize some of my
observation here.

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I recently used the Gemini PDA [1] for a week and now I have started
the old PSION Series 3a for comparison. It is a bit unfair as the
Gemini uses keyboard which is similar to the Series 5 and not to Series
3. Also, the Series 5 has a touchscreen (stylus-controlled) and the
Series 3 do not have (nor need) one.

I can write text on the 3a when I hold it in hands (have to type by
thumbs). I cannot do it with the Gemini. It is not a problem off the
keyboard itself. The problem with Gemini is that it is not stiff
enough. The hinges are not strong and screen is moving during typing..
I fear that I can broke the device this way (it might be only feeling
but it makes use too uncomfortable). The 3a is perfectly stiff The same
problem is when it sits on the desk - the Gemini is moving (especially
when the topmost row is used) and the 3a is stable.

The screen is better on the Gemini. Much better, I mean (very well
readable).

Keyboard control: the 3a wins here as many apps in the Android (and the
OS shell itself) require touch control. It is better than which the
Series 5 (where stylus has to be used) but I still hate to touch the
screen in situations when keyboard shortcut should be faster. For
example, one can open new window in the Firefox (Ctrl+T) but the
address bar is inactive and one has to touch it in order to be able
enter the URL (or any other text). The Chrome is not better... (only
the Firefox Focus is an exception).

And, of course, many Android apps do not work well in landscape - large
areas of the screen are covered by labels, tool, bars and so (the
Evernote is almost useless ) or the minimal font sizes are computed
from screen width and thus they are absurdly big (WWW browsers).

There are some nice apps, though: the Termux work perfectly and makes
terminal (cli) apps to be very usable. I read the Gopher in Termux as
there is the Lynx. I even removed Overbite because the Lynx is simply
better. By the way the applications inside the Termux can access
standard directories like the Documents which makes integration with
the rest of system easier.

The Agenda App (a clone of Series 5 Agenda) is not bad and it is
optimized for the device but I have to test it more (I never felt
comfortable with PSION Agenda programs, though).

The battery life of the Series 3a is of course better but the Gemini is
not bad - off-line it can survive week of light use without charging.

References:

[1] http://planetcom.co.uk
[2] gopher://gopherpedia.com/0/Psion%20Series%203