EnTourage eDGe: The Worlds First Dual Display eBook Reader

EnTourage eDGe: Hybrid Devices And Their Inception:

When we say that EnTourage eDGe is a Hybrid device we mean its dual function. The features it takes place are both as an eBook reader and a robust tablet computer. This is a new age combination of best of both worlds. You achieve more and do more when you bring this device to function. Critics say that this device might just be the starting of a new age devices which are no longer separate. They are after all built into one. Of course, with all the latest technologies in the publishing world, you can see it pretty much happening. You no longer have to carry a separate eBook reader like Kindle, BlueFire, Kobo or Nook, which will take extra space. How wonderful would it be when you can combine your eBook needs with other utilities. One device to do them all is the idea.

How Does EnTourage eDGe Work:

As we maintain along with this article, EnTourage eDGe is a hybrid device. In this context, you have dual screens which do different things on the device. Primarily, you can say that EnTourage eDGe is a laptop or a computer, on one side. And on the other side, it is an eBook reading device not very different from Kindle or Microsoft Reader. When we say sides, we quite literally mean that. EnTourage eDGe is a dual panel device with sperate screens for either of the purposes. The device, which is not very different from a simple Tablet, is easy to use eBook device. In this context, the EnTourage eDGe is parallel to Amazon Kindle FireHD, which also serves as a tablet and has WiFi functionality. You can browse the web, store files, play music and such with these hybrid tablets. EnTourage eDGe offers you the same.

Hybrid Devices And Where They Differ From Other Devices:

Until this point, we have more often than not; seen devices do only one function. You have your tablet or phone just for their purpose. However, makers of technologies thought of bringing all the devices into one. Yes, some would say that this is the first step in achieving the elusive Internet Of Things. Presently, that idea will take the time to fulfill clearly, but we have a start here. Thus, with EnTourage eDGe, we have a great combination of ideas which will only grow bigger. Since 2011, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd has been developing the device. The device runs Google’s Android OS. At present Foxconn is engaged in mass manufacturing of the enTourage eDGe v2.5. Production volume is growing in line with demand (especially in scholastics), and the device is being geared to the high requirements for; you tablets.

Features Of EnTourage eDGe And How Is It Different From Kindle Tablets:

The major claims of eBook readers across different formats like ePub, Mobi or PDF, is that most of them are non-participative. When we look in depth into the matter, we will see that all these devices have the features to make eBook reading as involving as possible. EnTourage eDGe is a first generation device from Foxconn, and therefore, you will see that it is still work in progress. Although concept wise it is interesting; you can say that it still lacks the ease of use when you compare it to the Kindle. Kindle devices use eInk characters and lighter weight materials to make it easy. You can carry Kindle with no problem at all. Ironically, that’s how the eBook reader was supposed to be. Although, with more features came more weight and less ease. Let’s see what EnTourage eDGe has regarding features then,

Design Of The eBook Reader:

With so many things that we expect our devices to do, it is really difficult for anyone to come out with a device that as light as a feather. Let’s be honest here, that’s never going to happen. Even when you consider the possibility of nano-bots, you still can’t be sure. To be clear on the stand, you can’t find many users who have used unified touch-screen technology. You have so many devices but just not the perfect one. You can either have the technology which helps your readability of eBooks. Obviously, a worthy Publishing company would be happy with this.

But then the users may not find this fascinating. After all, you look for something more than just the readability. You need it to be easy and battery efficient. You need the Power saving options, which will allow you to carry the device without worrying about power sockets. For the most part, Amazon Kindle or Sony Reader has come close to achieving the perfect balance. Therefore, EnTourage eDGe has a long way to go.

The Screens Of EnTourage eDGe:

The design which separates EnTourage eDGe from other devices is its two screens. This is one way of achieving a balance of purposes. Unwilling to compromise between a quality reading experience and a quality Web and media experience, the Entourage Edge links together two screens. On one side a 9.7-inch E-ink display (a Wacom touch screen), and on the other a 10.1-inch color LCD (resistive touch screen). Also, it achieves a balance by assigning each screen a task which they can perform best.

Taken on their own, each side of the Edge offers something remarkable compared with its competitors. On the left, you have a touch-screen e-ink display that allows you to scribble notes, highlight text, and copy and paste selections. On the right, you have a Google Android-based tablet computer with Wi-Fi e-mail, Web browser, Microsoft Docs support, Webcam, dual USB ports, multimedia playback, and support for third-party apps.Therefore, it becomes a logical solution to achieve something of a balance between features and usability.

EnTourage eDGe Weight Issues:

It’s heavy. Simple as that. The device although providing some interesting options in reading and using fails in the major department of weight. Most critics bash the device weighing a ton. The dream of the Edge buts up against reality when you pick it up for the first time. It weighs a ton. More accurately, it weighs just over 3 pounds. Granted, 3 pounds is a fraction of the weight of a textbook, but in the world of e-book readers, it is a Goliath. For the same weight, you could be carrying two iPads or 5.5 Kindles.

One another major feature that becomes a certain let downer are its buttons. Beyond the buttons for power, Wi-Fi, and volume located on the side of the device, each of the two screens is outfitted with four buttons that control features specific to each panel. For the e-book side, you get buttons for magnifying, page forward, page back, and journal. For the deeper functions, a total of 17 pencil-wide icons dots the top of the display, which gives way to the second row of icons specific to markup tools (draw, highlighter, paintbrush, tip width, etc.). A stylus tucked away on the back of the Edge is a necessary tool for operating the touch-screen features of the e-ink screen. All these features make it a bit complicated to work on for the most part. You will need a bit more practice than others to do enjoy your reading experience.

Use Of Stylus In  EnTourage eDGe:

The introduction of Stylus in the versions of  EnTourage eDGe is an interesting change. You basically can use the stylus to operate on different levels. The stylus also comes in handy when using the color screen, which uses a resistive touch-screen technology that’s not nearly responsive as the Apple iPad’s capacitive IPS display (though not as prone to glare). The four buttons on this side offer access to the home screen, menus, screen rotation, and backing out of menus. The stylus also comes with a tracking ball. You may remember the scrolling trackball which you can still find in Blackberry mobile devices. This helps in quicker accessing of the options and the menu. Also, giving you ample control over the multiple displays.

Ebook Features Of EnTourage eDGe:

The Edge offers features that go far beyond the average e-book reader, including word processing, e-mail, Web browsing, multimedia playback, Bluetooth support, voice recording, and extendibility through third-party Android apps. But with one-half of the device dedicated entirely to an e-ink display, the e-book features of the Edge are unquestionably the foundation of this product and the driving factor for purchasing one.

If you put the color panel to sleep and fold it behind the e-ink display, you can begin to appreciate some of the unique features of the Edge without distraction. The e-book panel has an antireflective matte finish and paper-like contrast that is virtually identical to the Kindle 2. Unlike the majority of e-ink displays, the Edge uses a Wacom touch-screen technology that responds to stylus input. The screen is also relatively large at 9.1 inches, compared with the 6-inch display of the Kindle or the Nook, or the largest member of the Sony Reader family. The Kindle DX, however, is still the king of the e-ink hill with its 9.7-inch screen.

The touch-screen features of the Edge’s e-book panel allow you to scrawl notes directly on the page, highlight passages, copy text selections, perform searches, navigate between pages and chapters, zoom in and out, attach virtual sticky notes, dog-ear pages, and more.

Other eBook Features In EnTourage eDGe:

1. You can export any ebook into PDF with your highlighting intact. However, any virtual sticky notes or attached media (word docs, images, other PDFs), you cannot embed within a book PDF export. Having said this, you can export these extended notes separately.
2. The Edge’s second screen also comes in handy for performing searches while reading. When you select the magnifying glass icon from the top of the e-book display, any selected word or phrase will generate a search query on the color display.
3. A pull-down menu defines the type of search you want to perform: within the book, Google search, Wikipedia, or internal dictionary. Search capabilities are nothing new for e-book readers, but the unique two-screen design of the Edge allows better interplay between the text and the search, without breaking your train of thought.
4. Any DRM-free EPUB or PDF file will work on the Edge’s e-ink display. Alternately, you can open PDFs on the color screen using the included Docs To Go software. You can transfer Books and documents to the Edge over either of the two USB ports, the SD card slot. Also, you can download directly from the Entourage online bookstore or free from Google Books.
5. The right-hand screen of the Entourage Edge offers more than just a window into Wikipedia. Based on Google’s Android operating system, the color touch-screen counterpart to the e-book reader offers a powerful combination of Web browsing, e-mail, document creation (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF), and multimedia playback.

Conclusion For EnTourage eDGe:

With new and hybrid readers coming out into the market every other day, you are spoilt for choice. As they say, there can’t be a perfect machine ever. And hence, every eBook reader has its flaws and limitations. However, if you are someone looking to buy an eBook reader which can work like a Tablet as well, EnTourage eDGe is a safe bet. The reader gives you all the good features which you normally see in Kindle or Nook. Of course, if having devices in one is not what you are after, you can go for the plain old Kindle or Sony Reader. At this point, it’s just your choice and preference. You need to pick a reader which works best for you.

If you are a publisher of books who wants to digitize his publication to suit every need, you need a professional publishing services company. We are one of the world’s leading eBook solutions company, who will ensure that your work comes in the best way possible. We will make your book stand out in the digital format, on any platform, and on any device. Drop us a mail today and start making a difference from as early as tomorrow.