Industry-First Interactive Dualbook Merges E-Readers, Notepads, Netbooks in One Multi-Functional Product
Consumers that juggle numerous devices can now manage their digital lives with the enTourage eDGe™ by Entourage Systems, a revolutionary interactive dualbook that is spearheading this new consumer electronics product category. As an industry first, the enTourage eDGe not only acts as an e-reader, but also allows users to write notes or highlight text, send emails and instant messages, browse the Web, take pictures, record and play audio as well as video content. All this can be done simultaneously from a single platform that fosters enhanced learning, working and entertainment environments.
Honored as a top finalist for the Consumer Electronics Association’s i-Stage event, which honors the most innovative upcoming products, the enTourage eDGe is a dual-screen, WiFi-enabled device that has optional access to 3G networks for fast and easy data transfers. The left side of the enTourage eDGe features a 9.7″ diagonal e-paper display, serving as an e-reader or notebook that comes with many built-in applications. The enTourage eDGe allows users to read e-books in PDF and EPUB format and take notes or draw diagrams for easy storing on the device while they are top-of-mind, such as during a class or meeting. For example, a student could generate a chart to accompany a math equation while taking notes during class. All documents are saved directly to the device and are backed up on Entourage Systems’ servers if a unit gets damaged or goes missing.
The right side of the enTourage eDGe is a 10.1″ LCD screen equipped with a touch screen interface to easily browse email, surf the Internet, watch movies or listen to MP3s. The enTourage eDGe supports Bluetooth keyboards so users can conveniently type notes, emails and IMs. These two unique screens also work together to help individuals access information faster. For example, a user can highlight a word from the e-paper screen, and drag it to a Web browser on the LCD screen to search for definitions, images and so forth. For increased access to documents, users can choose between email attachments, USB drives, direct PC drag and drop or web page download for moving files on and off the device.
To-date, Entourage Systems has secured more than 200,000 trade books and is working with publishers to secure text books. enTourage eDGe users will have access to more than one million free public domain books digitized by Google. They will also have access to many major magazines, newspapers and periodicals.
“We are excited to introduce an industry-changing product that will increase efficiency in the office, at home or in the classroom. The enTourage eDGe ushers in a new generation of consumer electronics, creating its own category, by supporting multiple needs of today’s fast-paced consumer in one sleek, interactive, user-friendly platform,” said Asghar Mostafa, President and CEO of Entourage Systems.
This interactive dualbook also comes with audio and video recording and playback features. A unique, noise cancelling integrated microphone picks up audio from 30 feet away, ideal for lectures or meetings, and saves the files to the device in MP3 format. The enTourage eDGe also comes equipped with a text-to-speech function. The product boasts a built-in 1.3 Mega Pixel camera to easily video conference or stay in touch with friends and family in far-away places. The enTourage eDGe’s A/V features are also great for listening to music and watching video on-the-go, between meetings, during travel or even at home.
The enTourage eDGe is an ideal solution for students looking to save money on textbooks, professionals who want to travel light while staying connected and general consumers trying to minimize their electronics expenses or clutter. According to SurveyU, a full-service marketing research agency, a study conducted earlier this year showed that 65% of students buy all textbooks required by their professors but only 25% cited using all of the books they bought. Additionally, three quarters mentioned textbooks are cumbersome and difficult to carry.
This versatile interactive dualbook is also environmentally friendly, as it allows users to store notes digitally and can reduce the need for printed textbooks by downloading books directly to the device. The enTourage eDGe provides a more “green” lifestyle, dramatically decreasing the amount of wasted paper used and purchased.
The enTourage eDGe runs on the Google Android operating system, allowing individuals to customize the device with applications and tools. For the busy consumer always on the move, the enTourage eDGe also comes with a battery with advanced power saving modes to stay powered longer, over 16 hours utilizing the e-reader screen or up to 6 hours running the LCD screen, without having to recharge.
For maximum portability, the enTourage eDGe’s unique enclosure allows users to orient the displays vertically or horizontally by simply accessing the control buttons on the side of the device. Consumers can view the enTourage eDGe as a book, prop it up like a laptop or use the full 360 degree fold to view only one screen if confined to a tight spot, like an airplane or bus seat.
The enTourage eDGe will be available in February 2010 online at www.entourageedge.com for $490. For more information, please visit this site.
About Entourage Systems
Entourage Systems is a provider of a new interactive dualbook that improves the way we learn, do business and entertain. The company’s flagship product, the enTourage eDGe, is a comprehensive netbook, notepad, e-reader, video player and audio recorder that allows users to easily manage their digital needs from a central device. Entourage Systems is headquartered in McLean, VA.
