Earl: a 6" E-ink Android Tablet with Solar Panels and Radio - Page 4

Greg Anos · 06-05-2013, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyberman tM

Anyone know if there's a reason this would not work in Europe?
I'm considering buying one, but there's not much time left to do so if I want to take advantage of the discount.

It will work in Europe - mostly.

You won't have a European topographic map. I don't know about the EU law and the walkie-talkie frequencies. I don't know if the radio handles EU digital signals.

The rest should work.

AlbertaCowboy · 06-05-2013, 11:59 AM

If you back the project now, you can switch your region before shipping to suit need for an EU specific unit.

(From questions page)

meetearl6 days old
"Backers can preorder during this campaign and opt to have their order switched to the their regional edition. The EU edition will be released after EC certification."

meetearl12 days old
"Users who wish to back Earl during our campaign can place a preorder through our site. At the end of our campaign we will be emailing backers to confirm which edition/color they would like to receive."

Cyberman tM · 06-06-2013, 06:39 AM

Thanks for the answer, here's another question or three:

*) connectors - USB - the website isn't clear on this, but I may have found an answer in the questions section, but perhaps someone here (I'm look at you AlbertaCowboy :-) knows more:
Does Earl have an actual USB port, or, as it seems to be, merely a 3.5 TRS connector which doubles as USB port, requiring a propietary adapter?

*) Actual screen size - the dimensions of the device seem to be similar to the Kobo Wifi - but what about screen size?
I'm thinking of replacing my Kobo with Earl, but if the screen is smaller, it'd be a downgrade...

AlbertaCowboy · 06-06-2013, 10:01 AM

Just went fishing through the Q&A, as I hadn't wondered about the USB connection until you brought it up. This was the first official response from meetearl that I found:

(meetearl7 days old

Our 3.5mm jack doubles as our USB charging and data connection. We will offer adapters for users to connect with Earl over USB otg.)

As far as screen size, it shows up in the specs as 6" e-Ink screen. (See attached screenshot)

By the way, I'm not officially endorsing Earl by any stretch of the means. I just really liked the concept, and have been following the development closely. If I can answer any questions here with info that I've gleaned from the development Q&A, I'm happy to do so.

Rbneader · 06-06-2013, 10:44 AM

Well, I've backed. I've felt the urge to get survivalist gear lately, and I've really wanted a high res eInk reader so this fulfills both wishes at once.

Cyberman tM · 06-06-2013, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbertaCowboy

This was the first official response from meetearl that I found:

(meetearl7 days old

Our 3.5mm jack doubles as our USB charging and data connection. We will offer adapters for users to connect with Earl over USB otg.)

Yes, that's what I found too.
This is a serious issue for me - I have an intense dislike of nonstandard plugs (mainly because I rarely accept that they're necessary at all, but also because it means you always have to carry them around).

Quote:

As far as screen size, it shows up in the specs as 6" e-Ink screen. (See attached screenshot)

Hm. Still, I wonder - the borders look broader than with the kobo, and the outer dimensions are close.

Quote:

By the way, I'm not officially endorsing Earl by any stretch of the means. I just really liked the concept, and have been following the development closely.

Endorsed or not, you're a useful resource to ask :-) So thanks for that.

--

I'm still debating with myself if I want to buy one. My main problem is, I don't need half the stuff it offers - all I'd want is an eInk Android tablet.
(I really like the IP67 and solar panel, though.)

Perhaps I'll wait till production, and pay more but have more information.
As much as I like the idea of it, I dislike their website.

ApK · 06-06-2013, 02:22 PM

If I had spare cash, I'd get in on this just because it's cool.

It occurs to me that with the current popular wave of survival and apocalypse (zombie and otherwise) fiction, they could not be launching this at a better time.

Brilliant.

AlbertaCowboy · 06-06-2013, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyberman tM

I'm still debating with myself if I want to buy one. My main problem is, I don't need half the stuff it offers - all I'd want is an eInk Android tablet.
(I really like the IP67 and solar panel, though.)

Perhaps I'll wait till production, and pay more but have more information.
As much as I like the idea of it, I dislike their website.

Normally, I have an intense aversion to being an "early adopter" on new tech, but I just couldn't help myself on this one. All of the features it offers are actually fairly useful to me. Plus I constantly fail my saving throws against "new & shiny".

Like I said in an earlier post, I'll do a fairly comprehensive review once I've got it in my hands. Might make it a little easier for those sittin' on the fence if they see an actual honest appraisal. Truth be told, I'm not a huge fan of the site myself.

taosaur · 06-06-2013, 11:17 PM

I'm still toying with getting in on the pre-order, but I have my doubts about whether these guys can deliver. Their credentials, to the extent they're available, seem heavier on enthusiasm than experience, and even established companies experience production delays and post-release bugs.

Also, what I would actually use it for is an ereader. I like the idea of having the weather and position sensors and all those radios, not to mention Android apps and all in a rugged package, but my actual daily use for an e-Ink device is reading EPUBs. And obviously, there are cheaper, lighter-weight readers out there.

Still, it's tempting. I'm not averse to spending a little more to future-proof an investment, whether against changing technology or my own changing habits.

Edward_R · 06-07-2013, 01:18 PM

I took the plunge because this one device will replace at least three devices that I carry when my son and I go fishing!

AlbertaCowboy · 06-13-2013, 12:18 PM

They've added an update.
Look at the refresh rate of the e-Ink screen!
That's impressive.

http://www.meetearl.com/updates/

There's going to be a community forum they're developing for Earl, and I have put the bug in their own ear about the folks here at mobileread. Hopefully they will initiate a presence here.

taosaur · 06-13-2013, 01:12 PM

Dedicated radio antenna hook-up and Personal Locator Beacon added--pretty cool.

Greg Anos · 06-13-2013, 07:33 PM

I went the whole hog.... I have 3 on order...

AlbertaCowboy · 06-24-2013, 09:02 AM

Just an update for those interested, EARL's new forum has gone live.
I must admit, I'm not a huge fan of the layout, although that might just be my own preference for the format used here at MobilRead.

http://forum.meetearl.com/

rem736 · 07-10-2013, 09:22 PM

i am more interested in the fact that since it's both e-ink and full android 4.1, that it is the only reader that will natively handle all documents/ebook formats available to all android devices. as an e-ink ereader, it's the only one that can natively handle amazon's proprietary azw format AND the standard ePub, PDF, etc. all ios/android tablets can do this so i would not expect any less. being that it's e-ink puts it over the top as a reader for me. everything else (gps, maps, etc.) is just gravy.

06-05-2013, 11:59 AM	#47
AlbertaCowboy Guru Posts: 819 Karma: 171672846 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Device: PRS-350, PRS-650, iPhone 6, NVIDIA Shield K1	If you back the project now, you can switch your region before shipping to suit need for an EU specific unit. (From questions page) meetearl6 days old "Backers can preorder during this campaign and opt to have their order switched to the their regional edition. The EU edition will be released after EC certification." meetearl12 days old "Users who wish to back Earl during our campaign can place a preorder through our site. At the end of our campaign we will be emailing backers to confirm which edition/color they would like to receive." Last edited by AlbertaCowboy; 06-05-2013 at 12:02 PM.

06-06-2013, 10:01 AM	#49
AlbertaCowboy Guru Posts: 819 Karma: 171672846 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Device: PRS-350, PRS-650, iPhone 6, NVIDIA Shield K1	Just went fishing through the Q&A, as I hadn't wondered about the USB connection until you brought it up. This was the first official response from meetearl that I found: (meetearl7 days old Our 3.5mm jack doubles as our USB charging and data connection. We will offer adapters for users to connect with Earl over USB otg.) As far as screen size, it shows up in the specs as 6" e-Ink screen. (See attached screenshot) By the way, I'm not officially endorsing Earl by any stretch of the means. I just really liked the concept, and have been following the development closely. If I can answer any questions here with info that I've gleaned from the development Q&A, I'm happy to do so. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by AlbertaCowboy; 06-06-2013 at 10:04 AM.

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06-06-2013, 06:39 AM	#48
Cyberman tM Evangelist Posts: 439 Karma: 2248782 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Austria Device: Inkbook Prime; Icarus Illumina;ImcoV6l;EB600;Kobo	Thanks for the answer, here's another question or three: ) connectors - USB - the website isn't clear on this, but I may have found an answer in the questions section, but perhaps someone here (I'm look at you AlbertaCowboy :-) knows more: Does Earl have an actual USB port, or, as it seems to be, merely a 3.5 TRS connector which doubles as USB port, requiring a propietary adapter? ) Actual screen size - the dimensions of the device seem to be similar to the Kobo Wifi - but what about screen size? I'm thinking of replacing my Kobo with Earl, but if the screen is smaller, it'd be a downgrade...

06-06-2013, 10:44 AM	#50
Rbneader Fanatic Posts: 500 Karma: 2661351 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: None	Well, I've backed. I've felt the urge to get survivalist gear lately, and I've really wanted a high res eInk reader so this fulfills both wishes at once.

06-06-2013, 02:22 PM	#52
ApK Award-Winning Participant Posts: 7,316 Karma: 67862884 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ, USA Device: Kindle	If I had spare cash, I'd get in on this just because it's cool. It occurs to me that with the current popular wave of survival and apocalypse (zombie and otherwise) fiction, they could not be launching this at a better time. Brilliant.

06-06-2013, 11:17 PM	#54
taosaur intelligent posterior Posts: 1,562 Karma: 21295618 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ohiopolis Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, Samsung S8, Lenovo Tab 3 Pro	I'm still toying with getting in on the pre-order, but I have my doubts about whether these guys can deliver. Their credentials, to the extent they're available, seem heavier on enthusiasm than experience, and even established companies experience production delays and post-release bugs. Also, what I would actually use it for is an ereader. I like the idea of having the weather and position sensors and all those radios, not to mention Android apps and all in a rugged package, but my actual daily use for an e-Ink device is reading EPUBs. And obviously, there are cheaper, lighter-weight readers out there. Still, it's tempting. I'm not averse to spending a little more to future-proof an investment, whether against changing technology or my own changing habits.

06-07-2013, 01:18 PM	#55
Edward_R Zealot Posts: 111 Karma: 516224 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Pacific Northwest (about 35 miles northeast of Seattle) Device: K3 / HP 10" Tablet (FBreader Installed)	I took the plunge because this one device will replace at least three devices that I carry when my son and I go fishing!

06-13-2013, 12:18 PM	#56
AlbertaCowboy Guru Posts: 819 Karma: 171672846 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Device: PRS-350, PRS-650, iPhone 6, NVIDIA Shield K1	They've added an update. Look at the refresh rate of the e-Ink screen! That's impressive. http://www.meetearl.com/updates/ There's going to be a community forum they're developing for Earl, and I have put the bug in their own ear about the folks here at mobileread. Hopefully they will initiate a presence here.

06-13-2013, 01:12 PM	#57
taosaur intelligent posterior Posts: 1,562 Karma: 21295618 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ohiopolis Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, Samsung S8, Lenovo Tab 3 Pro	Dedicated radio antenna hook-up and Personal Locator Beacon added--pretty cool.

06-13-2013, 07:33 PM	#58
Greg Anos Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,247 Karma: 35000000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Pocketbook	I went the whole hog.... I have 3 on order...

06-24-2013, 09:02 AM	#59
AlbertaCowboy Guru Posts: 819 Karma: 171672846 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Device: PRS-350, PRS-650, iPhone 6, NVIDIA Shield K1	Just an update for those interested, EARL's new forum has gone live. I must admit, I'm not a huge fan of the layout, although that might just be my own preference for the format used here at MobilRead. http://forum.meetearl.com/

07-10-2013, 09:22 PM	#60
rem736 purpose priority passion Posts: 645 Karma: 9002000 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: socal, usa Device: sony prs-350, b&n ngp, rM2, kindle scribe, boox poke5	i am more interested in the fact that since it's both e-ink and full android 4.1, that it is the only reader that will natively handle all documents/ebook formats available to all android devices. as an e-ink ereader, it's the only one that can natively handle amazon's proprietary azw format AND the standard ePub, PDF, etc. all ios/android tablets can do this so i would not expect any less. being that it's e-ink puts it over the top as a reader for me. everything else (gps, maps, etc.) is just gravy.