[IGG Live][Slider Keyboard] Keyboard Mod for Moto Z - maemo.org

chenliangchen | # 1 | 2017-01-06, 16:49 | Report

After some recent debate about building our own device, and countless wishlists on TJC, and what Neo900 is doing, and the unique demand of our community, I think perhaps there is a chance we could build something using Kickstarter or Indiegogo as I know people in China who has the ability to design/build a physical slider phone with 4G. At least, if I was building a similar device to Neo900, I have the access to SMT and PCBA solution and moulding etc... and using components from an old N900 would be irrelevant.

With the right help inside or outside my job, and with the right front invest (by Kickstarter or Indigogo?) We could build a mid- or mid-high specs landscape QWERTY slider handset with the modern hardware. And I do know how they are made and how the procedure is.

Let's go back to the topic, so in order to build a "Powered by Maemo" device (And yes I do want that printed at the back of the device) there is two critical question:

1) I'm not a software guy, but will Fremantle work on a modern chipset? Qualcomm or MTK? As I understand certain components (probably majority) are close sources so how they are going to be ported? Will Fremantle or its equivalent work on a new SoC provide "reasonable" front engineering cost?

2) Because we are such a niche group, in order to cover design/testing/logistics/moulding/producing line/certification/transportation/warranty........ cost, the device won't be cheap. How much will you pay for a 5" landscape slider, assume it's 32+3GB, running on a Qualcomm 625 soc, and with the OS we want?

Those are the most critical questions for the plan. But any suggestions are welcomes. (And yes, not considering Jolla's OS at the moment, if we have the option for something free and open)

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Update IGG Campaign live now at: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/p...o-z/x/16122878

Last edited by chenliangchen; 2017-03-03 at 12:17.

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TheKit | # 2 | 2017-01-08, 09:07 | Report

Originally Posted by chenliangchen View Post

After some recent[URL="http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=97448&page=5"]
1) I'm not a software guy, but will Fremantle work on a modern chipset? Qualcomm or MTK? As I understand certain components (probably majority) are close sources so how they are going to be ported? Will Fremantle or its equivalent work on a new SoC provide "reasonable" front engineering cost?

2) Because we are such a niche group, in order to cover design/testing/logistics/moulding/producing line/certification/transportation/warranty........ cost, the device won't be cheap. How much will you pay for a 5" landscape slider, assume it's 32+3GB, running on a Qualcomm 625 soc, and with the OS we want?

I know you're not considering it for now, but I'd surely like to have such device with SFOS, even if it's unofficial port. Parts of libhybris-based adaptation could then be reused for another Linux-based OS. Also, there is a thread about porting Freemantle UI to GTK 3.

Could MTK chips be used to lower up the cost? Something about GPD Win price seems reasonable to me.

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www.rzr.online.fr | # 3 | 2017-01-08, 11:30 | Report

What about graphics systems ? GPU support ?

If wayland based Tizen/E can be supported too.

What about Nemomobile too ?

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pichlo | # 4 | 2017-01-08, 11:39 | Report

...and this why we will never have anything. The moment you offer something, the first two responses you get are demands for something else

I would gladly pay 400 GBP (currently 466 EUR, who know for how long) for a device exactly as per Chen's specification.

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Feathers McGraw | # 5 | 2017-01-08, 12:10 | Report

Depends almost entirely on how solid the slider mechanism is, and how nice the keyboard feels to type on.

TOHKBD is cool, but IMO it's pretty horrible to type on because you need to exert so much force to press some of the keys. And obviously the slider mechanism isn't as solid as a mechanical slider (not that they could have done anything about that, since it was a TOH).

I think the neo900 idea of re-using a lot of the quality components of the N900 was sensible for this reason. You don't want to have a device that looks good on paper but in reality has a dodgy, wobbly, flimsy feeling slider.

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endsormeans | # 6 | 2017-01-08, 12:27 | Report

I would love to invest in such a project...
But ...
ya know...
Before I go and do that...
I have a significant investment tied up in "white papers" currently.
And I will definitely not be throwing more money around until there is closure on the neo900 project , positive or negative.

(And not saying the neo900 project is a flop...but ...the blunt of it is..)
If things "go south" with the neo900 project..
I think I will wait to get back my hefty neo900 investment (minus what fees and applicable work and parts apply, naturally...) if / when it fails to materialize any product...
and refunds start getting issued.
If / when there are "issues" getting the 1/2 down I have put in (almost a grand CDN) , refunded.
Well that will indeed be the last time for me.
In the future I will only buy "from the shelf"...
not on a hope and a prayer.

However,

If my investment concludes positively ...
well I can see then possibly investing in further projects.

But most assuredly.... how current projects unfold and ..conclude...will colour my ...and many investors (I am sure..)... views on investment in the future..as has successful and unsuccessful projects have in the past for many...

It is the reality of such things...

Last edited by endsormeans; 2017-01-08 at 14:29.

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r0kk3rz | # 7 | 2017-01-08, 13:24 | Report

If fremantle can be made to work then it shouldnt be too difficult to get Sailfish to work as well for those of us who would like that.

I wonder if we should try and be as OS agnostic as possible, there are still people running older android phones with keyboards and so it would be great to get them on board as well. But of course trying to support multiple software platforms is going to be a tough effort.

For those expecting a Nokia quality device fuggedaboutit.

Since the last discussion there has been some headway with libhybris and MediaTek and aarch64 based devices, so those can definitely be considered but I am sure everyone would prefer something with proper linux kernel support instead.

As for price, i think it would be better to come up with a figure and put up a poll to see how many would be willing to pay that price, but i would expect neo900 level prices is probably the ball park.

Good luck Chen! you seem to know what you're talking about and so hopefully this time its a more than just talk. I look forward to seeing what you can put together for us.

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eekkelund | # 8 | 2017-01-08, 13:39 | Report

Originally Posted by chenliangchen View Post

Those are the most critical questions for the plan. But any suggestions are welcomes. (And yes, not considering Jolla's OS at the moment, if we have the option for something free and open)

Free and open = NemoMobile!

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hardy_magnus | # 9 | 2017-01-08, 14:13 | Report

i don't know about others but i desperately need a modern device with fremantle in it, no crapyy crapdr*ids , no SFOS , just pure fremantle but with a justified pocket friendly pricetag.

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endsormeans | # 10 | 2017-01-08, 14:36 | Report

Originally Posted by hardy_magnus View Post

i don't know about others but i desperately need a modern device with fremantle in it, no crapyy crapdr*ids , no SFOS , just pure fremantle but with a justified pocket friendly pricetag.

Yknow it would be nice...to have modern hardware with fremantle on it.

Hell it would be great to have a straight up option of linux distros on your phone with telephony enabled.

And frankly I don't even call it "settling"...
I would be blissfully content without a linux smartphone.
Just give me a real umpc tablet successor to the n810.
resistive screen...the norm we are used to..
Hell ..to make me content...It doesn't necessarily have to run maemo...just linux distro or 2...
I can customize it to "look" pretty darn close to maemo to satisfy my nostalgic vein.
I can use a flip phone...or pair it to some piece of crap smartphone.

Ain't askin' for the world here.

Failing all that...
wellllll
I'm still happier than a pig in mud with my n8x0's

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