The Astro Slide is an Android-based smartphone with sliding physical keyboard currently crowdfunding its way into existence — but with the added lure of Linux support.
Now, i’m generally wary of mentioning anything that is crowdfunded — and that goes double when it’s hawked on the oasis of overpromise that is IndieGoGo.
But Planet Computers, the company angling to animate this ode to early 00s technology, have a track record in this area. Not only have they run successful crowdfunding campaigns before, but they’ve also nailed the hard bit: actually shipping products to backers.
Their latest mobile gambit is Astro Slide 5G Transformer (to give it its full, and unwieldily name). The device is every inch the marriage of early 00s PDAs with modern all-glass phablet frontage.
Which is just as well because that is exactly what this device is (more or less): a smartphone come personal computer.
“Big enough to be the only device you need to carry, and small enough to fit in your pocket, it’s a true all-in-one replacement for both your mobile phone and your laptop,” say the company behind it.
Astro Slide specs include:
- MediaTek MT6889 Octa-core 5G SoC
- 6GB RAM
- 6.53-inch display (2340×1080)
- 128GB internal storage
- 48MP rear camera
- NFC, USB Type-C, fingerprint sensor, etc
Smartphones with physical keyboards are still fairly niche, but mechanical, backlit ones hinged to a 6.53-inch touchscreen more so.
When unslid (is that a word?) the Astro Slide resembles a tiny, slim profile laptop with full (if minute) physical keyboard.
So, when you’re done ranting on Reddit (or whatever it is you find you need a proper keyboard on a phone for) you just slide it back in and voila: a regular smartphone again.
The Astro Slide builds on Planet Computers attractive, if flawed, Cosmo Communicator, which has a hinged keyboard rather than a sliding one.
But what is most interesting to me (as a Linux fan) is that Planet Computers talk of the ability to dual-boot Linux distros like Ubuntu on the Astro Slide.
That not that’d be cool.
That said, I must stress that the Linux boot capability is just talk right now. There are no demos, no compatibility lists, and one assumes it’s not guaranteed to be present at launch either.
And while the Astro Slide ships with Android 10 there won’t be an option to have a Linux OS pre-installed, either on its own or alongside Android 10.
Still, giving the Cosmo Communicator did manages to wangle its way from concept to creation, I’m optimistic about the Astro Slide, especially if the promised Linux support materialises.
Interested in throwing money at the project? You can do so over on IndieGoGo, though the usual CROWDFUNDING DISCLAIMERS
You’ll notice that project has already passed its crowdfunding goal (it took less than 4 hours). Despite this, some ‘early bird’ perks around the £437 mark remain available should you not fancy paying the the £729 RRP earmarked for general release.
The $149 PinePhone has POGO pins that can support a (physical keyboard accessory