EnTourage eDGe
Encyclopedia
The enTourage eDGe was a combined tablet computer
and e-book
made by enTourage Systems Inc., a small company in McLean, Virginia
. It is advertised as "the world's first dualbook". The device runs Google's Android platform, version 1.6 'Donut'. Due to lack of sales, all enTourage eDGe products ceased production in 2011.
device. One screen is a touch-sensitive e-Ink display, while the other screen is a full color 10.1 inch LCD touch screen. The color display side runs Android, but like all non-phone Android devices, the eDGe lacks direct access to Android Market
due to Google's internal policy. Both screens are touchscreen, and interact with each other in various ways. For example, if an e-book is downloaded from enTourage's or Google Books' store, the book is added to the library, which can be accessed from the e-Ink side to read it. The enTourage eDGe has a SD card
slot for transferring owned e-books or music to the device, a camera located above the LCD screen, and two full-sized USB
ports where external flash drives, an external keyboard and other compatible devices may be used. The eDGe includes a stylus pen
to write and interact with both screens. The two halves of the device can be folded closed much like a paper book, but can also be turned outwards so the screens are back to back.
stated that "for $499 there are just too many issues with it, including its chunky body, skimpy e-book selection, frustrating touchscreen, poor battery life and lack of Android apps". Ina Fried of CNET
was more positive and praised the device's generous assortment of features, but was also disappointed at several bugs with the device. Representatives from enTourage have made several press releases that they are already working on software updates that they hope will correct most of the complaints, including a foreseen upgrade from Android 1.6.
, the device is to be upgraded to Android 2.2 which will enable full flash support, though this has been delayed due to 2.2's poor compatibility with large displays.
It seems this product did not get the market share needed to be a success in current business conditions.
Tablet computer
A tablet computer, or simply tablet, is a complete mobile computer, larger than a mobile phone or personal digital assistant, integrated into a flat touch screen and primarily operated by touching the screen...
and e-book
E-book
An electronic book is a book-length publication in digital form, consisting of text, images, or both, and produced on, published through, and readable on computers or other electronic devices. Sometimes the equivalent of a conventional printed book, e-books can also be born digital...
made by enTourage Systems Inc., a small company in McLean, Virginia
McLean, Virginia
McLean is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Fairfax County in Northern Virginia. The community had a total population of 48,115 as of the 2010 census....
. It is advertised as "the world's first dualbook". The device runs Google's Android platform, version 1.6 'Donut'. Due to lack of sales, all enTourage eDGe products ceased production in 2011.
Features
The eDGe is a dual-touchscreenDual-touchscreen
A dual-touchscreen is a computer display setup which uses two screens, either or both of which could be touch-capable, to display both elements of the computer's graphical user interface and virtualized implementations of common input devices, including virtual keyboards...
device. One screen is a touch-sensitive e-Ink display, while the other screen is a full color 10.1 inch LCD touch screen. The color display side runs Android, but like all non-phone Android devices, the eDGe lacks direct access to Android Market
Android Market
Android Market is an online software store developed by Google for Android OS devices. Its gateway is an application program called "Market", preinstalled on most Android devices, allows users to browse and download mobile apps published by third-party developers...
due to Google's internal policy. Both screens are touchscreen, and interact with each other in various ways. For example, if an e-book is downloaded from enTourage's or Google Books' store, the book is added to the library, which can be accessed from the e-Ink side to read it. The enTourage eDGe has a SD card
Secure Digital card
Secure Digital is a non-volatile memory card format developed by the SD Card Association for use in portable devices. The SD technology is used by more than 400 brands across dozens of product categories and more than 8,000 models, and is considered the de-facto industry standard.Secure Digital...
slot for transferring owned e-books or music to the device, a camera located above the LCD screen, and two full-sized USB
Universal Serial Bus
USB is an industry standard developed in the mid-1990s that defines the cables, connectors and protocols used in a bus for connection, communication and power supply between computers and electronic devices....
ports where external flash drives, an external keyboard and other compatible devices may be used. The eDGe includes a stylus pen
Stylus (computing)
In computing, a stylus is a small pen-shaped instrument that is used to input commands to a computer screen, mobile device or graphics tablet...
to write and interact with both screens. The two halves of the device can be folded closed much like a paper book, but can also be turned outwards so the screens are back to back.
Reception
The enTourage eDGe has received mixed reviews. In a review, Joanna Stern of EngadgetEngadget
Engadget is a multilingual technology blog network with daily coverage of gadgets and consumer electronics. Though on appearance Engadget functions much like a blog and may be defined as such, much of its editorial content takes the form of an online magazine...
stated that "for $499 there are just too many issues with it, including its chunky body, skimpy e-book selection, frustrating touchscreen, poor battery life and lack of Android apps". Ina Fried of CNET
CNET
CNET is a tech media website that publishes news articles, blogs, and podcasts on technology and consumer electronics. Originally founded in 1994 by Halsey Minor and Shelby Bonnie, it was the flagship brand of CNET Networks and became a brand of CBS Interactive through CNET Networks' acquisition...
was more positive and praised the device's generous assortment of features, but was also disappointed at several bugs with the device. Representatives from enTourage have made several press releases that they are already working on software updates that they hope will correct most of the complaints, including a foreseen upgrade from Android 1.6.
, the device is to be upgraded to Android 2.2 which will enable full flash support, though this has been delayed due to 2.2's poor compatibility with large displays.
enTourage Store closes
The enTourage eDGe store closed as of May 21, 2011. enTourage suggests that customers may purchase content from the Google ebookstore or Amazon's Android App Store. Customers are assured that the registration services will remain online, and fee based support is available.It seems this product did not get the market share needed to be a success in current business conditions.