The enTourage eDGe, a dual-screen eBook reader that sports both a 9.7-inch electronic ink display and 10.1-inch LCD, is part e-book reader, part netbook, and will cost $490 when it hits the market in February. The eDGe was originally designed with students in mind, but I can see how the fully integrated device, which offers both Wi-Fi and an optional 3G module, could appeal to a much broader audience, including a variety of professionals.
The 10.75-x 8.25-x 1-inch (HWD) device, at 2.75 pounds. is larger and heavier than most eBook readers, thanks to its dual displays and vastly superior connectivity options. The device's LCD offers a 1024-by-600-pixel resolution, and features resistive touch, responding to anything from a stylus to your finger for navigation. The 1,200-by-825-pixel electronic ink display is Wacom Penabled, so you'll need to use the included stylus for navigation and note taking.
The eDGe includes 3GB of usable built-in storage, BlueTooth 2.1, an SD card slot, two USB ports, standard-size headphone and microphone jacks, built-in stereo speakers, and a Lithium-ion polymer battery capable of powering the device for over 16 hours when using the electronic ink display, or up to 6 hours with both displays in use.
The eDGe will ship with Android 1.5 Donut when released, but a 2.0 Eclair update is in the works.
Users select eBook content using the touchscreen LCD, which is then displayed on the electronic ink display.
Though the LCD is backlit, the electronic ink display is not, offering superior battery life.
Users can take notes or doodle on the electronic ink display using the included stylus.
Tapping a link on the electronic ink display will launch the Android Web browser on the LCD.
The LCD is capable of displaying full Web pages, and even includes Adobe Flash Lite support.
When closed, the (not yet functional) eDGe is 1-inch thick -- significantly thinner than the functional prototype that we were able to use today.
The eDGe is 0.5-inches thick when open -- not much larger than the iPhone pictured here.
The eDGe supports video playback, and includes built-in stereo speakers, and a pair of microphones with active noise cancellation for recording meetings or lectures.
Photos by PJ Jacobowitz
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November 10, 2009 3:14 PM
Looks pretty sweet but what kind of CPU is driving it? Arm?
Can it handle Hulu/Netflix video?
November 10, 2009 4:49 PM
Though not the perfect solution (Pixel-Qi comes to mind) it looks pretty sexy
November 10, 2009 4:59 PM
Hey PJ,
can you show, or tell us how to prototype looks different from the functional version?
I think the Idea is great but this whole bunch of Buttons and the cheapy silver plastic is a pretty bummer to me...
Greets Jan
November 10, 2009 6:33 PM
This is the all-in-one device that will finally allow me to carry just one thing! No kindle + netbook + iPod, just 1!
November 12, 2009 3:55 PM
I am actually surprised at the comments I've read on various blogs regarding the price of this device. Although it is not in the price range of everyone, for what it is and does, I think it is reasonable. It is only $1 more than the Kindle DX and the Kindle DX can only be compared to the left side of this unit. Consider everything else this offers (net book functionality with touch screen, 1.3 meg pixel camera, audio recorder, stereo speakers, Android OS, etc.) as extra features for a buck. And... if you want to compare the ebook reader functionality this comes out ahead since it allows note taking, highlighting, drawing, etc.
I definitely plan on getting one. I am just sad I have to wait until Feb if I pre-order.
November 13, 2009 3:02 AM
Could this run Google Earth?
November 13, 2009 10:25 AM
Seeing as it runs on a Google OS I would have to believe that Google would eventually release additional software for it such as Google Earth.
November 14, 2009 5:23 PM
I wish it had 2 PixelQi displays. And that they were both finger friendly. It'd be lovely to be able to use one as a keyboard+trackpad while the other is acting as a display (sort of like a netbook). Any word on whether or not you can use a USB Keyboard with those USB ports? or a mouse or trackpad?
I also wish it had some form of video out (DVI-I would be ideal), and better storage options.
But, so far, this is the best Android tablet/e-reader I've come across. The Moto AMP 10" (Moto is not "Motorola" in this case) also looks rather promising (but could also seriously benefit from a PixelQi display), but it's supposedly 2 years away from production.
Now we just need Kindle for Android, and the Nook's e-book software, to be available on the Android Market. :-)
November 16, 2009 9:38 AM
@johnkzin,
Yes, you can use a USB keyboard or a bluetooth keyboard. I got an email last week from them (responding to one of my questions) indicating that they will be opening their ebook store this week. I agree, though, I would love the ability to shop around for my books (like from B&N or Amazon, etc.)
November 16, 2009 2:54 PM
It looks like enTourage has their ebook store online today.
It's a fairly good start but I'd like to see the collection grow more. I'd personally like to see more programming books.