The Gemini PDA by Planet Computers brings a much loved form factor back to the world of smartphones – the clamshell, keyboard-based palmtop. In this episode, MEX founder Marek Pawlowski talks to Martin Riddiford of Therefore Design and Davide Guidi, CTO of Planet Computers, and hears the story of Gemini’s development and successful crowdfunding campaign. It is a tale which traces its roots back over two decades, to the days when British computing pioneer Psion was at the forefront of mobile innovation. The conversation explores how Martin’s design work on those Psion devices informed today’s rebirth as the Gemini PDA and looks at the design challenges Planet has overcome to bring this new product to market. Lots of bonus photos in the show notes. Get in touch with feedback and questions @mexfeed on Twitter or email designtalk@mobileuserexperience.com.

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On this edition

• Marek Pawlowski, co-host & founder of MEX (@marekpawlowski)
• Martin Riddiford, founder and director, Therefore Design
• Davide Guidi, CTO, Planet Computers

Martin Riddiford (left) and Davide Guidi (right) showing pre-production models of the Gemini, alongside the Psion Series 5MX, at Therefore’s design studio in London

Links

• MEX Jobs Board – who’s hiring in UX, digital and design?
• Our next MEX dining club will be in London in late January 2018. Get in touch if you’d like an invite – it’s free to attend and will be a relaxed dinner talking about experience design with fellow pioneers.
• Specs and ordering details for the Gemini product from Planet Computer’s Indiegogo page
• Psion Series 3
• Psion Series 5
• Therefore Design

More photos

Gemini PDA (pre-production) showing the custom agenda app and menu bar

Gemini PDA (pre-production) running Excel in landscape format and showing the custom menu bar

Gemini PDA (pre-production – right) next to the Psion Series 5MX (left)

Gemini PDA (pre-production) running Firefox within a Linux shell hosted on Android

About MEX Design Talk & how to get in touch

The podcast for the MEX community, interviewing UX pioneers, exploring emerging technologies, user behaviour and how to design better digital experiences.

• Archive of previous MEX Design Talk episodes
• Subscribe for future editions by searching ‘MEX Design Talk’ in your favourite podcast player. We’re also on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher and TuneIn. For the old school, here’s our RSS feed
• If you enjoy MEX Design Talk, please help others discover the podcast by giving us a 5 star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts
• Get in touch with feedback and questions @mexfeed on Twitter or email designtalk@mobileuserexperience.com.
• MEX events
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Thanks

• Jukedeck, for the artificial intelligence engine which provided the music