When HN users recommended it
3 HN users recommended this between 2017 and 2025, in 3 comments.
20072026
Each tall tick is one HN user's first recommendation. A short tick is the same user again. Click a tick to jump to the comment.
3 HN users recommended this between 2017 and 2025, in 3 comments.
Each tall tick is one HN user's first recommendation. A short tick is the same user again. Click a tick to jump to the comment.
This looks super cool, but I'm not sure I'd use it.
When the Series 5 was launched, there weren't a lot of good options for text input on mobile devices. The keyboard made a huge difference, because your alternatives were a full-size laptop, Graffiti on a Palm device or the awful resistive touchscreen on a WinCE device. The Psion 5 was the most useful productivity device that could fit in a coat pocket.
Today, touchscreen keyboards work well enough that a Psion 5-sized keyboard isn't a vast improvement. For less than $30, you can buy a folding Bluetooth keyboard that is barely bigger than a phone when folded, but gives an almost full-sized keyboard when unfolded. The Gemini's fixed keyboard makes it impractical to use as a phone, but isn't as good as a folding bluetooth keyboard. Loath as I am to admit it, I think it's simply an obsolete form factor.
If the keyboard snapped on magnetically, I might have given it serious consideration. As it is, I just don't see where such a device would fit into my workflow.
https://www.amazon.com/iClever-Portable-Keyboard-Bluetooth-W...
I've had reasonable succcess with this one: https://www.amazon.com/iClever-Bluetooth-Keyboard-Foldable-S...
I like its compact design (it fits in a pocket), and it's very satisfying to fold/unfold :] That said, I don't use it that often because I find smartphone screen sizes too small.
If you want a really small one I've been happy with this:
https://www.amazon.com/iClever-Bluetooth-Keyboard-Foldable-S...
Wouldn't recommend for extended typing though.