The enTourage eDGe is a dual-panel

personal device A heraldic badge, emblem, impresa, device, or personal device worn as a badge indicates allegiance to, or the property of, an individual, family or corporate body. Medieval forms are usually called a livery badge, and also a cognizance. They are ...

, combining a

tablet computer A tablet computer, commonly shortened to tablet, is a mobile device, typically with a mobile operating system and touchscreen display processing circuitry, and a rechargeable battery in a single, thin and flat package. Tablets, being com ...

on one screen and an

e-book reader An e-reader, also called an e-book reader or e-book device, is a mobile electronic device that is designed primarily for the purpose of reading digital e-books and periodicals. Any device that can display text on a screen may act as an e-read ...

on the other. Since 2011 it has been developed by Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. The device runs Google's Android OS. At present

Foxconn Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., trading as Hon Hai Technology Group in China and Taiwan and Foxconn internationally, is a Taiwanese multinational electronics contract manufacturer established in 1974 with headquarters in Tucheng, New ...

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 modern tablets.

Features

The enTourage eDGe is a

dual-touchscreen A dual-touchscreen is a computer or phone 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 dev ...

device that when open looks like a book. One screen is based on

e-Ink Electronic paper, also sometimes electronic ink, e-ink or electrophoretic display, are display devices that mimic the appearance of ordinary ink on paper. Unlike conventional flat panel displays that emit light, an electronic paper display re ...

technology, and the other is a 10.1"

polychromatic Polychrome is the "practice of decorating architectural elements, sculpture, etc., in a variety of colors." The term is used to refer to certain styles of architecture, pottery or sculpture in multiple colors. Ancient Egypt Colossal statu ...

LCD. Both screens respond to touch, and the interactive use of a stylus. The LCD color screen is designed for multimedia display (an important advantage of the modern educational process), whereas the e-Ink screen is designed for reading and, in the corresponding mode, for taking notes, as though on paper. The

screen used in modern e-readers works on reflected light, so is virtually harmless to the eyes, which makes it suitable for any amount of textual information. This is important for the educational process since it is possible to use electronic devices without violating health standards. Both screens are interconnected. For example, if an

e-book An ebook (short for electronic book), also known as an e-book or eBook, is a book publication made available in digital form, consisting of text, images, or both, readable on the flat-panel display of computers or other electronic devices. Alt ...

is downloaded from the enTourage store, the book is added to the device's library and can be accessed at both the LCD and

screens. Or if a document is created on the e-Ink screen, it can be reproduced on the LCD screen. The enTourage eDGe is equipped with a camera above the LCD screen, as well as two USB ports, which can take two flash memory drives, an external keyboard, and other compatible devices. The enTourage eDGe also comes with a stylus, which can be used for writing or interacting with both screens. Both sides of the device may be folded closed like a book, but they can also be fully folded open so that the screens are back-to-back.

Timeline

* March 2010, enTourage eDGe v. 2.0 launched. * November 2011, development of v. 2.5 begins, mass production of which starts in July 2012. * June 2013, development of v. 4.0 begins, with launch planned for late 2014. In a review
"Wired"
magazine − The devices were marketed as enTourage eDGe – "the world’s first dualbook".

Applications

In the past, the enTourage eDGe was the hardware basis for the E-OK (Electronic Educational Complex) project. E-OK's main distinguishing feature was the use of cloud technology, which ensures a full-fledged teaching-learning process, as well as additional/optional activities.
Educational portal

E-library

External links

* UK edition March, 2012, wired.co.u
UK edition March, 2012, wired.co.uk

entourageedge.eu
Manufacturers web page. Accessories still available in Europe.
Mobileread.com page "Resources for New Edge and Pocket Edge Owners"
{{DEFAULTSORT:Entourage Edge Dedicated ebook devices Electronic paper technology Foxconn Linux-based devices Tablet computers Touchscreen portable media players Computer-related introductions in 2010 Products and services discontinued in 2011