I would like to throw in my 2cents regarding my first 24 hours with my Entourage eDGe. I recognize that some of these issues may be addressed in the forums, but I want to emphasize my initial end-user experience.

I am a Biomedical Engineer (Instrumentation design, biomaterials), and work in an academic laboratory where the databasing of pdfs (easiest), annotations/bookmarks (should be easy), notetaking (outside pdf ref), and data/results, and the cross-references between all these is essential to be able to proceed efficiently through your research and discovery. As such, my primary desire is to use the eDGe as a laboratory notebook replacement as well as a literature management device. It's not too hard to think of some interesting connections you can make between your lab notebook (your record), your acquired data, and the literature/references that inform your work, your decisions, and your plan.

As an academic, I am also interested in the eDGe for novel interaction with our instrumentation. So I would like to develop/use solutions that meet my needs and do not lock up my generated content/hard work into some data silo (i.e. not like apple stuff). I have an iPhone, I demoed an iPad, and I immediately loved them both. You have to admit, to be successful, the interface must be smooth because the interface is key.

Turning on the eDGe was a pleasure. The recycled/recyclable quick start booklet was a nice touch. Network set-up was flawless. Registration didn't initially work. Updating the software right away was not terribly difficult. Thereafter, registration worked. No big whoop.

It was genius to put the User Guide in the e-ink display. I haven't before used an e-reader other than to demo a friend's kindle for about 30 seconds or to push a couple buttons on a display model in a store somewhere. Except for a slight delay that I already expected, the eDGe's e-ink display worked well for annotating.

I love the way both screens play off one another with regards to information management, but I couldn't figure out an intuitive way to delete annotations in the e-ink display.

I do have some additional comments/gripes, some (or maybe all) have been noted before, but I'm going to share them anyway. I'll even number them. I realize that Entourage isn't necessarily responsible or should be tasked with all these, but perhaps some could be Google Summer of Code projects or something?

Gripes:
1- I have to have SD card to move files with miniUSB. Why can't I transfer directly to available filesystem?

2- LCD Display-- So, I've had experiences similar to others (devseev, etc...) that the interaction with the lcd display leaves much to be desired.

3- How do I increase sensitivity of lcd? Is the LCD resistive or pressure-sensitive? I thought it was supposed to be resistive, but I have to press firmly and deliberately/slowly to get a response. I find that licking my finger (yeah, I know it's gross), wiping it first with a tissue, and then using the lcd screen resulted in a better response/signal. I can't keep doing that.

4- How do I increase the accuracy of the lcd? Sometimes what I press ain't what I get. period. and don't spout re-calibrate. i've gone down that road at least 5 times. I don't want to resort to the stylus. I like the prospect of keeping my stylus in my hand for the e-ink display and my non-stylus hand free for interacting with the lcd display. The inaccuracy of the lcd is particularly annoying when trying to type on the virtual keyboard.

5- Add apps-- I can't figure out how to add new apps to the device. It doesn't seem to be in the eDGe User Guide. how do i access them?

6- Handwriting to text-- where is it? If I'm taking notes at a meeting or at a seminar or at a conference, I would like to be able to *at least* search those notes for later reference/perusal. Also true for notes I'm making in pdfs or in "notebook".

7- Network shares-- how can i mount a network share? samba, nfs, either work for me.

8- Cross platform interface-- Is there some interface for a regular computer/laptop through which I can access the pdf database? From the computer I would like to have access to the complete library, tags, *searchable* annotations and all. This is imperative when it comes time to author a new manuscript for a conference or scientific journal.

9- How do I easily remove annotations to pdf with e-ink tools?

10- Terminal access-- How do I get access to terminal mode? Android is derived from Linux is it not? How can I get to a blasted terminal so I can at least work at a lower level? mount devices etc...

11- Synch-- I don't do Microsoft Exchange. I would like to synch my filesystem with unison. I realize this prob does not have a high demand for most people. Indeed, it would be trivial if I had terminal access.

12- Why presentation software? There's no way to video-out the device, right? How can I give a standard presentation using a projector without a video out? I know there may be some usage that doesn't require a video-out, but it doesn't meet my (and most academic scientists) requirements.

13- I would also like to use the eDGe as a laptop replacement (for which it was not designed, I realize). I've attached a keyboard, which worked, and a mouse which I guess "worked". There's no pointer. I realize the reason for that is primarily the touch screen, but perhaps a "mouse mode" is in order. I can be fairly efficient with a mouse when I'm at my desk, and you eDGe guys can detect a mouse, so why not?

14- I would like Flash.

Finally, I do want to say that I love the concept. Though things may be off to a rough start, I believe there is vast potential in the product. I love carrying all my references with me in an interactive "book". I also believe the eDGe could make a big difference in the laboratory and general research settings. I hope no one gets discouraged by my griping; I just believe you can't make anything better without honest criticism.

Keep it up!