Related
Haven't gotten around to reading all the previews yet, but some key websites have received prototype devices and have put them to the test over a lengthier period than quick hands-ons (a few weeks, in some cases).
Engadget
SuperSite for Windows
Boy Genius Report
Engadget's on the fence, and Paul's (obviously) fully on board.
I'll add more as I find them/others find them. These are being released now as developer devices are shipping this week.
Updating with more:
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/cell-phon...echnical-preview/4286?tag=mantle_skin;content
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2366631,00.asp
http://gizmodo.com/5590327/windows-phone-7-in-depth-a-fresh-start
http://www.slashgear.com/windows-phone-7-technical-preview-1994365/
http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2010/07/19/pre-review-preview-windows-phone-7-2/
The engadget write-up is very well done. Not all positive, and not overly negative. Seems like a solid unbiased review.
A few more...
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/cell-phon...echnical-preview/4286?tag=mantle_skin;content
http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/archives/214832.asp
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2366631,00.asp
I find the Engadget one generally praises it pretty well throughout but then has a whinge and moan at the end about how it's got no multitasking (even though mobiles today don't use true multitasking anymore) and how it has no copy and paste (which they've said will come after launch but he fails to mention that). Having said all that it was an enjoyable read and the first picture in the article looks gorgeous!
darkmurder said:
I find the Engadget one generally praises it pretty well throughout but then has a whinge and moan at the end about how it's got no multitasking (even though mobiles today don't use true multitasking anymore) and how it has no copy and paste (which they've said will come after launch but he fails to mention that). Having said all that it was an enjoyable read and the first picture in the article looks gorgeous!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you watch the video it's definitely a positive tone as well. An interesting wrap up for sure.
darkmurder said:
I find the Engadget one generally praises it pretty well throughout but then has a whinge and moan at the end about how it's got no multitasking (even though mobiles today don't use true multitasking anymore) and how it has no copy and paste (which they've said will come after launch but he fails to mention that). Having said all that it was an enjoyable read and the first picture in the article looks gorgeous!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He was clear with his praise, and clear with his contempt. It's what a good review should be. Whether anyone's opinion can truly match your own is probably impossible. A reviewer can only explain his POV to you and I thought he did a good job.
I thought it was a good review but he was just picking at small gripes by the end and then made it sound as if it was worrying for MS when on the whole it seemed he enjoyed his experience.
Gizmodo posted their review. I'd say it's extremely positive and similar to Engadget's. They basically just say that it needs multitasking. It'll be interesting to see if/how Microsoft responds.
RustyGrom said:
Gizmodo posted their review. I'd say it's extremely positive and similar to Engadget's. They basically just say that it needs multitasking. It'll be interesting to see if/how Microsoft responds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's indeed very interesting.
RustyGrom said:
Gizmodo posted their review. I'd say it's extremely positive and similar to Engadget's. They basically just say that it needs multitasking. It'll be interesting to see if/how Microsoft responds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem remains nobody can actually give a good argument for why a phone should have multitasking equal to that of a PC.
The tombstoning API will be enough for 99% of all applications.
Very good reads on many of them. The one thing that is bothering me is the MicroSD Support rumors. It would really stink if it only supported integrated memory. Not a complete deal breaker, but just another way to make the handsets cost more IMO.
What I am wondering is, has anyone with a dev phone tried to replace the MicroSD with a larger chip just to see what happens? I would greatly like to see WP7 support MicroSD in the sense I have heard where it just integrates the memory into itself which would be fine.
The only thing I could think would be the positive of integrated only memory would be to guarantee the speed at which apps access memory and such. With different speed MicroSD cards out there, that could cause issues with guaranteeing device speed. Hmm.
The good thing about no swappable sd cards is that it (should) push the OEM's to get off their asses with integrated storage. It's stupid that they haven't been pursuing that heavely already. One of the few things I like about the iphone. I don't want to buy cards, that's an additional cost. I want storage options with my phone when I buy it. I upgrade yearly anyway so if what is out now isn't enough I can live with it until the next year. Especially now with skydrive support partially there and I'm sure more so in the near future soon after launch.
This is true. I think the min of 16G is good and a good standard of 32 is better, but with the price of MicroSD continuing to go down, it is nice to be able to expand on a whim. (And use it as a USB Mass Storage which I bet will be hacked in the near future after release).
The inclusion of Skydrive is fantastic to a point. As long as I am on Sprint and Unlimited 3/4G stays Unlimited, I will be good, but all those poor AT&T people are going to be using up that limited 200M usage quick IMO and even the 2G limit isn't enough for my old TP2 now lol. This phone looks very Data intensive but at the same time extremely seamless with the way it works online. Brilliant!
I thoroughly enjoyed the Engadget review. Seems most of the reviews were fairly positive with the exception of copy/paste, multitasking, and HTML5 support.
The no removable storage restriction isn't rumor, it's fact. Da_G explained how it will work in this thread[/thread].
The minimum amount of storage, whether it be a IC soldered onto the PCB or a microSD card in a socket, is 8GB.
So that means when you upgrade you're forced to sync ALL the fckn content with the PC, otherwise it will be lost (besides OTA...)
Another flaw.
doministry said:
So that means when you upgrade you're forced to sync ALL the fckn content with the PC, otherwise it will be lost (besides OTA...)
Another flaw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not a flaw, design decision.
All your data on your phone will be synced to the cloud seamlessly. Think of it as a constant Dropbox syncpoint.
It's actually much more handy
Windcape said:
Not a flaw, design decision.
All your data on your phone will be synced to the cloud seamlessly. Think of it as a constant Dropbox syncpoint.
It's actually much more handy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must be kidding me.
It's another stupid decision.
Why would I want to leave ALL my data on any server??!!
And even more: once I UPGRADE and will need to get back all of my data I will be forced to download like 8GB of stuff?
Pff, this is not handy. This is simply ****.
Now I have it all ALWAYS with me.
I really start to think Apple made a terrible impact on the whole industry, when even Microsoft follows actually all the worse trends.
I don't think your music is synced up the the cloud, just your other stuff. If you use the phone as MS invisions, the cloud and/or your PC will be your primary storage location for most of your data. Your phone will not be relied upon since it's inherently unreliable (gets lost or damaged relatively easily).
You know, most users actually like the idea of a seamlessly backup functionality, that does everything for them, and they never ever have to sync.
Syncing is something silly old people with Windows Mobile phones does. Modern smartphone users don't even know what it means. They want/need software like iTunes to copy music, as they have zero idea of the concept of copying files from one folder on their harddrive to a specific folder on a USB flash drive.
You need to stop fighting against the cloud. It's comming, and you won't be able to avoid it. WP7 is a die-hard cloud-phone, even more than Google did with Android.
OK, so I have a KIN and the goal of this forum is to put android on the phone. But, even if we do what is going to replace the home, menu search, and back buttons? Maybe we could put iOS. But anyway, some person said there's 2 storages. The ROM and the 8gb storage. The ROM is locked to prevent modifying. So, why not try to disable the ROM and put Android on the 8gb, instead of trying to flash it? This forum should be merged with the windows phone seven for better eposure and a bigger community willing to help.
As you'r starting posting, i will be soft.
We cannot write on the 8gb storage for files at will, so not writable for now, ok?.
And personally, would stay with the crappy Kin OS before putting iOS there.
Okay I'm not trying to be a douche but the main purpose is not to just put android on the kin. The main purpose of this forum is to get it hacked period. As for the iOS, no that would suck horribly. iPhone sucks. Apple doesnt deserve to be on a "windows" phone. I myself think that the purpose of these forums is just to get it hacked. Maybe add some feature but not android. Android will take time.
No Drivers, all said above
Ok, I understand. iOS would not be the best OS. But, seriously, this forum is not getting a lot of posts. Maybe we could make a 'general' forum for all things that relate to the windows phone. As I said above, there would be more posters. And heres my list of ideas and priorities for the KIN.
1. An appstore/marketplace (could call it XDA market and could be apps by XDA developers)
2. Flash another OS ( depends if people want it or not. Possible OSs could be Windows Phone 7, Android, or just leave it be)
3. More customability ( different color schemes, more pages of tiles/icons, etc.)
4. Ability to transfer contacts.
obsama1 said:
Ok, I understand. iOS would not be the best OS. But, seriously, this forum is not getting a lot of posts. Maybe we could make a 'general' forum for all things that relate to the windows phone. As I said above, there would be more posters. And heres my list of ideas and priorities for the KIN.
1. An appstore/marketplace (could call it XDA market and could be apps by XDA developers)
2. Flash another OS ( depends if people want it or not. Possible OSs could be Windows Phone 7, Android, or just leave it be)
3. More customability ( different color schemes, more pages of tiles/icons, etc.)
4. Ability to transfer contacts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please read the forums before posting. Your ideas have all been thought of and are being worked on.
No access to the storage and a lack of an SDK means no homebrew apps/marketplace.
We've tried flashing the device and we could possibly put CFW on using SPST but we lack a ROM and it seems dumping the device is not possible.
Customization options would be something found in a CFW.
dezgrz said:
Please read the forums before posting. Your ideas have all been thought of and are being worked on.
No access to the storage and a lack of an SDK means no homebrew apps/marketplace.
We've tried flashing the device and we could possibly put CFW on using SPST but we lack a ROM and it seems dumping the device is not possible.
Customization options would be something found in a CFW.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, it was just a list of my ideas. Anyway, would it be possible to open up the KIN and play around with the motherboard and storage and stuff? I know that to Jtag an Xbox you got to open it and solder some resistors and diodes. Would it be possible to do something similar to the KIN?
obsama1 said:
OK, it was just a list of my ideas. Anyway, would it be possible to open up the KIN and play around with the motherboard and storage and stuff? I know that to Jtag an Xbox you got to open it and solder some resistors and diodes. Would it be possible to do something similar to the KIN?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can not recommended hard-modding the device in any way unless you have previous knowledge or have completed both Intro to Electronics and Advanced Electronics classes or their equivalents. With that said what would we be playing with? Take the storage and attempt to access it without the device?
dezgrz said:
I can not recommended hard-modding the device in any way unless you have previous knowledge or have completed both Intro to Electronics and Advanced Electronics classes or their equivalents. With that said what would we be playing with? Take the storage and attempt to access it without the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what if instead of dumping the OS, we simply swap out the internal memory with the OS on it? we could probably find a chip about the same size as the one already in the Kin. It would be like switching out your main HDD on a computer, however we would have to create our own drivers first.
fazi13 said:
what if instead of dumping the OS, we simply swap out the internal memory with the OS on it? we could probably find a chip about the same size as the one already in the Kin. It would be like switching out your main HDD on a computer, however we would have to create our own drivers first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey that would work!...................mmm no it wont. The chips are soldered to the board, removing them will probably kill your phone.
Next round of random ideas, please.
Get Windows Phone 7 hackers in on this?
johnkussack said:
Hey that would work!...................mmm no it wont. The chips are soldered to the board, removing them will probably kill your phone.
Next round of random ideas, please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it would kill your phone, de-soldering is easy enough and re-soldering is not that difficult either. But, I guess no one would really want to try something like this anyways. Damn you, Microsoft.
Actualkly Ive been thinking. I have taken apart another phone roughly the same size and shape as the kin twom and it has a chip the same size and shape as the KIN (this phone was an HTC). This might actually work! If we have a way of tying the new chip with the kin motherboard and adjusting the files and software on the chip so they work with the Kin it would work! This might actually be possable.
if you really want to pursue the idea of sodering.. idk if it works but hey if you can more power to you there is a tear down of the kin somewhere on here
fazi13 said:
I don't think it would kill your phone, de-soldering is easy enough and re-soldering is not that difficult either. But, I guess no one would really want to try something like this anyways. Damn you, Microsoft.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
correction normal soldering isn't that difficult but these are surface mount chips which use a different process generally involving dipping the whole board into a vat of solder with the areas not being soldered covered in something, in the end very tricky to mess with not to mention the boards are customized for these chips
i will sum it as "no". kin is hard enough to handle, not even think about getting desoldering & soldering people who know how to code for the new chips, then discover then soldering again and test on the normal not-hacked kin devices.
....
no. windows 7 guys would be more close to reality.
i said 6.5 not 7.
and i wasnt refering at what you said. but @greenlndr
Oh ok koolz
Has anyone tried extracting the ROM?
After going through four different WP7 devices and trying to make something work, I've decided to place my beloved Windows Phone down and promote my trusty old iPaq 910c back to pack leader status. The reasons are simple, I need a device that handles MS Office, I need a device that I can map my network drives at home and at the office and I need a device that I can tether my XP-based laptop/tablet with USB. Facebook, picture sharing and all that jazz is unimportant to me, I need a tool and not a toy.
Android is not an option because frankly, I can't stand it anymore and I insist on portrait keyboards (physical). iOS does not do what I need out of the box so that's out as well. webOS dropped Picsel's Office Smart support for Pre devices a while back which was my reason for coming aboard WP7 in the first place. There are times when I can't lug my tablet around so my phone has to carry the entire load and I can't do without a CAD viewer, this is non-negotiable. Right now, there isn't a viewer in the Marketplace.
By now you must be wondering why on Earth would I choose the iPaq 910 with a miniscule 2.46" screen. Real simple, when I can't lug my tablet with me there's always my equally trusty Redfly at my side. Go ahead and laugh but that thing's a God send. I have a real keyboard and a large screen, plus the fact it connects via Bluetooth so the connection is client-side. My phone never has to leave its holster. Windows Mobile is the undisputed champ for customization and "usable" apps. Yes, there is a CAD viewer for Pocket PC and it rocks on the Redfly's screen.
I am hoping that my "benching" of WP7 is temporary and that Microsoft has seen the errors of its ways and will put all of WM's functionality into WP8 or address some real short-comings on Mango (7.7?). Until then, can anybody suggest to me how I can fulfill my needs? Call it making Chicken Salad out of Chicken Sh!t, if you will.
Cool story bro
well, i must say your needs is rather special to major trend
but i think WP7 does handle MS Office well
Developer unlock and 8773 - all cited issues solved for me...on an HD2! Just takes a little patience and some reading.
Unless the Unlock materialized a CAD App it still is no option for the thread opener. Normally I'd suggest to have a look at Android because it is the most flexible option currently around which is quite likely to make it able to support use cases that are not mainstream.
Concerning Windows Phone 8. If it actually is based on the WinRT then it might be able to support those use cases although it might take a while until there are Apps able to display CAD Drawings, etc. BTW what kind of CAD format would you need supported?
StevieBallz said:
Unless the Unlock materialized a CAD App it still is no option for the thread opener. Normally I'd suggest to have a look at Android because it is the most flexible option currently around which is quite likely to make it able to support use cases that are not mainstream.
Concerning Windows Phone 8. If it actually is based on the WinRT then it might be able to support those use cases although it might take a while until there are Apps able to display CAD Drawings, etc. BTW what kind of CAD format would you need supported?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A viewer for .dwg files is all I need on the phone, my iPaq handles that without any problems. For the more involved applications (3D rotations and such) I use an external cd-rom on the tablet. This will always be a necessary evil since the Autodesk apps for iOS & Android are pretty limited.
What kills me is that all the functionality from WM was guillotined out of WP7. I read somewhere that WP7 is also WinCE-based yet it is so bare. I know my needs are "unique" as far as these boards go but anybody in the design/build industry shares my frustrations.
I am trying to connect a FireTv box to an older 70" XBR Sony TV with only DVI and component inputs. Can someone direct me what would I need to make this work. Thank you
Nope, because it gets boring pretty quick.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/general/fire-tv-hdmi-to-vga-converter-t3116404
What you didnt do so far.
Look on page 2 of this forum.
Search Amazon for HDMI to component.
Ask how hdcp is handled.
So get your answers from the thread I linked to instead.
Also at some point dragging along people that still dont have HDMI ports gets too bothersome. I dont care how much you spent back then - if people in third world markets have adopted a standard you still are scrambling with, something is very wrong. 70" wasnt economical back then (dont care), and now you want a cheap solution for a problem almost no one else has. Which also isnt economical (from a different POV, and now I care) right now. It will always be a cheap solution, because there is no market for it. Amazingly this means - that there are no consumer grade "brand" products. Amazingly this might also correlate with the fact that you have to strip DRM in order for it to work. Amazingly this means - this just doubled the unlikelyhood for there being branded products.
tldr to is it possible - yes. Even with the copy protection problem.
Translation: Hi - I want illegal, cheap, eastern market converters to degrade my video signal, or strip the audio from the HDMI chain - to facilitate the use of my 10+ year old TV which cost me a small fortune back then. Who is the expert here - that can solve this (partly industry created - see DRM) problem for me? For free.
No, no - thank you.
Chop, chop. Even though Radioshack has gone bankrupt, because the middle of society has turned to the internet to ask their very specific case problem questions - this still doest make this Radioshack. You see - the people you would ask before did get paid to listen to your very interesting case problem, then sell you a gadget. You had value to them, regardless of what you said, because you were a sales target. Question in return, what value do you bring to this forum - with this question?
Especially to those experts who surly would want to help you with your problem.
What you need is an IBM service rep. IBM, where you buy overpriced electronic solutions that will last you for decades. Hint - those are the guys with pocket protectors in a company suit, that still occupy the mental spot of "what electronics as a field is" to probably the majority of an aging society.
Wow! what a lecture for a simple question and BTW I did not ask you (in special) for any illegal options.
And after the rant:
http://www.amazon.com/E-More®-Conve...pebp=1435681310873&perid=0H04E8YTJV3JE9B58KMG
DVI is the better solution, since the video signal doest have to be touched.
Does it work? It should (educated assessment), but I dont care. Is there something better? There is no comparative level also no one would be interested in finding out at that point. Could there be a problem when I... Yes.
Did you really just use the amazon search for me? Yes.
At this point we can stop it - short, but hopefully not entirely uneventful.
---------- Post added at 06:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:26 PM ----------
@bula1ca: Thats the entire problem - you did (ask for an illegal solution).
You just dont care about any of the ramification, about whose support we are "playing" here, about who created the issues along the way (DRM which requires an illegal solution, but dont threat, amazon will gladly sell you one), about prolonging certain behavior models, about what a community is, about what motivates it - and what behavior actually destroys it and so forth
This is the prototypical example of being ignorant (part of that also includes not knowing how exactly) and in the end still getting an answer out of it. You did - but hopefully it wasnt entirely painless.
In short - the industry has abandoned you, some of the problems you are facing are industry created, there is no popular interest whatsoever in answering your question, you didnt bring anything to the table (searching, asking the right questions), your electronics buying and usecycles are adding to the problem and you are mistaking a forum for a support site. Also you want free. Thank you.
So at what point would we both find it easier to ignore this question entirely and behave like it didnt happen? And at what point would this discourage others from, in a very distinct way, abusing this platform?
This is the only cause I'm putting this much effort into answering it. To make people like you realize, that if you treat communities like a zero sum game that do your bidding (Hey, I just searched amazon for you! Doesnt that make you feel grand?), you dont do any of us any good.
If you are ignorant to whats causing problems ("Those hackers will always crack DRM!" "Pirates are bad, mkay") - this causes additional problems in the long run. You have managed to get this far without thinking about DRM. Congratulation - but maybe this should change.
Also - I write fast.
edit: As a further notice, if the solution linked to above doesnt work, the DRM on the FIre TV is to new. Is it? Well, find out. Do some research.
bula1ca said:
I am trying to connect a FireTv box to an older 70" XBR Sony TV with only DVI and component inputs. Can someone direct me what would I need to make this work. Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before I upgraded my amplifier, I did something similar.
This cable will get you from HDMI-out to DVI-in without any perceptible loss in picture quality. I'd offer my old one for the asking, but it's huge and they're cheap. That takes care of the video.
For the audio, you'll need something like this. I used it because my old amp had optical inputs but no HDMI switching. As with the cable, you can have it for the asking, but I'd recommend getting a newer one. The first gen ran hot and the LEDs are blindingly bright (easily fixed with electrical tape ) But if your old TV has optical inputs, you'd be set.
If your old TV doesn't have optical audio inputs (most only have outputs), it's time to start thinking about HTiB or Home Theater in-a-Box. You can have all my old stuff, but by the time you've paid for the shipping, you can get something newer and shinier.
P.S. Try to ignore the trolls. Eventually, they will get bored and go back to the sandbox.
wellersl said:
Before I upgraded my amplifier, I did something similar.
This cable will get you from HDMI-out to DVI-in without any perceptible loss in picture quality. I'd offer my old one for the asking, but it's huge and they're cheap. That takes care of the video.
For the audio, you'll need something like this. I used it because my old amp had optical inputs but no HDMI switching. As with the cable, you can have it for the asking, but I'd recommend getting a newer one. The first gen ran hot and the LEDs are blindingly bright (easily fixed with electrical tape ) But if your old TV has optical inputs, you'd be set.
If your old TV doesn't have optical audio inputs (most only have outputs), it's time to start thinking about HTiB or Home Theater in-a-Box. You can have all my old stuff, but by the time you've paid for the shipping, you can get something newer and shinier.
P.S. Try to ignore the trolls. Eventually, they will get bored and go back to the sandbox.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks much appreciated, LOL. I had it hocked up with a HDMI to DVI cable (used for my cable box) however I had a very choppy picture when any video played. This box is the basement very close to the router and should not be a wifi problem. BTW I even plugged in a cable direct from my router and no difference in video quality. My 1st unit on the 2nd floor and plays without any issues.
"Something like this" is also stripping HDCP - so it is in fact the same solution (HDMI goes into a powered black box, ...). With a unnecessary switch added to it. And you made him/her buy an additional cable that arguably isnt needed. (But thats a minor thing.)
When people would at least be surface educated about DRM (HDCP) in this case "just strip it out using these fine products you find on Amazon" wouldnt be an acceptable answer.
Still there is a faction that thinks that we should ignore that, and find it totally normal that we have to point to illegal applications to solve legacy problems, that this is our function on XDA - and please do that politely and mostly silent - because thats what good product support does. Please be so understanding and you get a LOL out of it in return - for your efforts.
I dont see myself as a product support kind of type. Much.
I have different interests - like talking about issues, when they are so obvious. They cant be ignored.
Luckily some are still willing in assisting you in "buying them away". There is just a little problem to it. There is no guarantee that this will work after the next revision of HDMI, or the one after, or the one...
And as we have established, no one is willing to educate, search, or reflect on the issue at hand.
I insist, that the OP is more of a troll than I ever was, not intentionally, but in effect.
Thank you to everyone participating - especially the members of this community that still think skipping the "learning something" part and getting right to the product endorsement was what was needed in this case.
Also, thats just the "ignoring DRM" part. The selfentitlement in not finding out anything about where the problems lie, and how to circumvent them (thread was on page 2) is an entire different chapter. I've covered that one as well.
That is enough. No need for you ignorance and sarcasm to a simple question.
When did I request any support from you?
I asked a simple question. Do you really think it is OK with Sony building all these TVs and now we are left behind with no support?
That is the only reason we are looking for a solution so give us a break and go find someone else to irritate with your stupid remarks.
Thanks for the flavor text.
HDMI and DVi are entirely digital. A choppy image that is caused by the signal connection from the box to the screen is basically impossible (maybe after 50 feet of cable, but still - *neh*). But it surly isnt the wifi. Why even look at the player cache?
When flavor text is used to "simulate" being "technically interested" it changes the entire mood of the situation. Im always appreciative of that one as well.
But thank you for mirroring the "being ignorrant" mantra on to me.
My reaction was animated - but it is justified.
If you can find someone that is willing to give you a product endorsement, you win.
You had little to no effort opening this thread, the other person had little effort answering the question. You learned nothing and no expertise was needed. ("i found that on amazon" was successfully transfered from one person to another) Thats minimal effort, no harm done - maybe the wrong forum, but who cares.
And tomorrow two of you follow.
edit: As for the question "are you ok with this being Sonys fault and us not getting any support from them". Again - your question basically is a paid support question ("dosnt work with what I bought"). You get no support from Sony, because the screen at this point is over 10 years old, or was sold as a professional screen, produced not with consumer devices in mind. Understand that. Companies factor in support, they pay for it, and after a few years, you cant get it anymore. Also, it isnt Sonys fault, because the push towards HDMI always was at least "accompanied" by content provider interests. Your problem to the largest extend is a DRM problem and not a compatibility problem. Solving the DRM problem requires illegal solutions. That are openly sold on amazon (lets not talk about that) - so amazon can profit from it, but we should solve it for you, right?
In addition you havent read up on the problem behind your issue, have bought the hdmi/dvi cable that doesnt solve it for you (but you can now buy a switch for that will strip HDCP), and way back when bought a 70" screen with none of the conventional inputs (maybe an age issue). Again - what have you brought to the table, and why should anyone on XDA cater to your problem - when it was discussed already in a thread on page 2.
Again - "looking for a paid solution, getting it of amazon, followed by an "oh it works" moment - then sharing it with another one" is easy. But it ignores all structural issues with it, the approach, the solution, the problem itself...
And to be very frank - I would even have reacted if someone had just posted an amazon link not contextualizing that this vendor (and amazon) are profiting from an illegal solution to an etirely made up problem (DRM) that was factually "produced" to harm users (legacy issues), on behalf of the content industry.
Why is it in your interest that none of this gets addressed?
I'll gift you not talking about your product buying cycles and why XDA should be the last source to frequent to get support for "whale" (industry term, not derogative) like behavior..
Reduced complexity. Not having to learn anything. But that lets these threads pop up one after the other, and I dont get my chance to point the finger at who actually is responsible for the problem (not you. For the most part. Although you could have done your research.). Because everything becomes "just a simple question" in this light.
Hardware/software wise, open schematics, binary blob free?
Pretty much not open at all.
I believe it lacks mainline support, needs blobs (and they only exist for Android, so you need to use libhybris for other operating systems to work), and I'm not aware of schematics or freely licensed designs or anything of that sort.
You can unlock the bootloader, you can flash another OS to it. It's maybe on-par with a OnePlus phone in that sense, but quite a bit worse off in terms of popularity and community support.
The MediaTek SoC I think is the root of a lot of the issues. I think MediaTek devices tend to be hard to support. MediaTek themselves are probably rather anti-freedom.
The device and Planet Computers have been a pretty big disappointment in general. My Gemini collects dust at this point and is running a rather old Android version. The need of the specialized MediaTek flashing tool is quite a bother as well. Since I've got an Android and Debian dualboot on the thing, I can no longer get OTA updates for Android, and I haven't got the tool set up and working on any computers anymore.
If you don't already have a Gemini, I would suggest instead looking into the PinePhone. They're working on a keyboard addon, and it's already a lot more free than the Gemini. I run postmarketOS on a PinePhone and it's most of what I wanted out of the Gemini already, despite the rough edges.
If you do have a Gemini already, I think our best bet is someone very dedicated choosing to reverse-engineer the thing. Considering the hardware issues with the keyboard, it would take a lot to make this thing usable. If someone were willing to put in the work to make a replacement keyboard, they'd probably be better off hacking on a different device altogether. The Gemini is just e-waste at this point.
If you were interested in trying to get mainline support for it and such, it may be worth working with some of the postmarketOS guys. There's a page for the Gemini on their wiki, but support so far isn't great. Only one person is marked as owning it / working on it, and there haven't been any updates in a while. It also is replying on libhybris, which would ideally be avoided in favor of getting proper support working.