Quick Tech Review – Entourage eDGe
What is it?
The Entourage eDGe is a hybrid ebook and mobile tablet device that combines both platforms into a compact netbook format. Offering clamshell form factor for users to read e-books, or use an android touch tablet, the eDGe is the self proclaimed first “dualbook” device on the market.
The device itself includes two 9inch screens that fold as a clamshell body, with a total weight just a little over 3lbs and 1in thick. This is a large device, and is 3 times thicker than the Kindle DX, and 2 times thicker than the iPad.
What does it do?
Listed as the first ever Dualbook, Entourage is trying their hardest to attack multiple device markets with one device. With the eDGe, Entourage looks to be attacking both the ebook market (ie. Amazon’s Kindle) and tablet/mobile (ie. Apple’s iPad) device market with their hybrid dualbook.
Entourage has installed Google’s Android OS for their mobile device, making it one of the first Android alternatives to the iPad. However, the eDGe is making use of Android version 1.6, and is currently behind the majority of Android devices as the current OS version is 2.1.
eBook Experience
The eDGe offers a nice 9.7in screen for it’s e-reader, and allows for more text to be displayed on the screen compared to many 6in e-reader competitors like the original Kindle, or Barnes & Nobel’s Nook. The fonts are crisp, clear, and easy on the eyes with the option to choose both serif or sans-serif fonts depending on users preference.
Page turning and refreshes are a bit on the slow side compared to the Kindle, but right on par with the Nook. Reading on this device was pleasant, and it was easy to thumb through pages using the back and forward buttons. However, it is unfortunate that the eDGe offers no touch page turning ability a la iPad.
Tablet Experience
Entourage makes use of the open Android OS platform for their tablet experience, and fall short in their offering. As a user of an Android mobile phone (Motorola Droid on Verizon), I was looking forward to see how Android would perform on a larger screen and device. Unfortunately, in a world where “Droid Does”, the eDGe just “doesn’t” and really fails to make an impressive showing.
Having more than one App open brought the device to sluggish halt, and Mobile browsing with more than one tab open isn’t recommended. It is nice to see that Entourage has pre-installed some productivity apps for document editing with DocsToGo. However, the lag in typing on the virtual keyboard make them almost unusable.
Wrap Up
As a device that touts its ability to have the best of both worlds of eReaders and Tablets, it surprisingly doesn’t do either very well. It would be easy to forgive the awkward size and weight of the eDGe, but the lack of performance power keeps it from being a true contender in today’s fierce mobile market. With a price point of $499, most consumers would be hard pressed to to choose the eDGe over other comparable eReaders or mobile devices.
