Wishlist for next HW release of Entourage.

I have been very happy with the functionality and utility of my full-sized edge, it's probably the single most productive device I have ever owned in such short period of time. And thanks to a few forums members here, I have become more familiarized with (and dependent on ) my EE as a result. I'm a grad student, so my usage patterns is usually academic, for which the EDGE is just about the best device on the market today, in any price range.

But there are still a few things that I would like to be improved on the next version. I would be very interested in purchasing the next one as well, if some improvements that I really wish for come to fruition.

• Weight, the edge right now is simply too heavy to be held in hand for any type of prolonged usage, and quite heavy to carry around as well compared to most e-readers. It would be ideal if the weight was to be pared down to < 2lb.
  
• The current edge has very thick bezels around the screens, which means larger (perhaps unnecessarily large) dimensions compared to screen sizes; so it would be better if there can be a more commensurate device size to screen size ratio, and that would make the eDGe also considerably more portable, and easier to hold.
  
• Hardware buttons: right now the buttons seems to be not very well located on the device, and sometimes becomes unwieldy to press, and makes considerable noise in doing so. Perhaps it would be better to have buttons more integrated into the overall device shape, either like the kindle's integration into the frames of the device, or some high-end android phones' blending into the bottom/side of the screen. Any ideas?
  
• More responsive touch screen on the LCD side. I've been very happy with the performance on the e-ink side, but the registering touch on the LCD side doesn't always come easily. If the eDGe were to upgrade to a higher-end resistive, or capacitive, or perhaps even using wacom on that side as well, then it would make the operation of the device much smoother.
  
• A few more small pickies:
  • Location of the DC power input
  • quality of the camera
  • default size of the wacom pen
  • the existence of some rubber mounts and feet around the screen that often get into my way.
• A few suggestions from other forums members that I definitely agree with:
  • a more innovative screen, possibly pixel-qi, or at least some more recent iteration of e-ink.
  • more writing and annotation features, possibly with handwriting recognition.
  • which, along with other future features would necessitate a higher performance ARM processor.
  • keyboard input from both sides of the dual book (screen permitting)
  • better overall materials, colors, and overall aesthetics.

Again, overall I have been extremely pleased with my EE. But as with any highly useful device, the high utility comes with some wish list of improvements that would make working on the device even more productive, and more of a joy to use. I'm sure other people's list would differ, or perhaps some are entirely satisfied so far.

What types of improvements would you most like to see?

In addition to the weight and camera wishes, a colour eink screen (Mirasol, or Pixel Qi) goes without saying, but I'll mention it anyway I'd also like to see a faster processor.

I would also like to see:
-capacitive touchscreen with wacom digitizer on the LCD side
-bigger, more comfortable pen
- less weight
-thinner
- ability to display anything on the eink maybe a clone function like robot was working on
- ability to run journal and ereader in either LCD or eink,
- more features in the journal (handwriting search, etc)

Originally Posted by HardBall

I have been very happy with the functionality and utility of my full-sized edge, it's probably the single most productive device I have ever owned in such short period of time. And thanks to a few forums members here, I have become more familiarized with (and dependent on ) my EE as a result. I'm a grad student, so my usage patterns is usually academic, for which the EDGE is just about the best device on the market today, in any price range.

But there are still a few things that I would like to be improved on the next version. I would be very interested in purchasing the next one as well, if some improvements that I really wish for come to fruition.

• Weight, the edge right now is simply too heavy to be held in hand for any type of prolonged usage, and quite heavy to carry around as well compared to most e-readers. It would be ideal if the weight was to be pared down to < 2lb.
  
• The current edge has very thick bezels around the screens, which means larger (perhaps unnecessarily large) dimensions compared to screen sizes; so it would be better if there can be a more commensurate device size to screen size ratio, and that would make the eDGe also considerably more portable, and easier to hold.
  
• Hardware buttons: right now the buttons seems to be not very well located on the device, and sometimes becomes unwieldy to press, and makes considerable noise in doing so. Perhaps it would be better to have buttons more integrated into the overall device shape, either like the kindle's integration into the frames of the device, or some high-end android phones' blending into the bottom/side of the screen. Any ideas?
  
• More responsive touch screen on the LCD side. I've been very happy with the performance on the e-ink side, but the registering touch on the LCD side doesn't always come easily. If the eDGe were to upgrade to a higher-end resistive, or capacitive, or perhaps even using wacom on that side as well, then it would make the operation of the device much smoother.
  
• A few more small pickies:
  • Location of the DC power input
  • quality of the camera
  • default size of the wacom pen
  • the existence of some rubber mounts and feet around the screen that often get into my way.

Again, overall I have been extremely pleased with my EE. But as with any highly useful device, the high utility comes with some wish list of improvements that would make working on the device even more productive, and more of a joy to use. I'm sure other people's list would differ, or perhaps some are entirely satisfied so far.

What types of improvements would you most like to see?

I would also have a 90 degree power cord. The power part that sticks up in the eDGe already broke on me (I'm hoping it was already defective and just snapped due to that), and I'm very afraid it will happen again. Having the power cord stick straight out means that it is more likely to get bumped sideways. My hubby's ancient Thinkpad has a 90 deg cord and it seems so much more secure and safe. I would buy a 90 deg powercord if one was offered in the accessories store.

I wish special screen protectors were available in the store, too. I know many get Kindle ones for the eInk and cut to fit for the lcd, but it would sure be nice to get a set made for the eDGe - no cutting needed.

I agree about the buttons, I'm afraid they will get worn out quickly.

Otherwise, a nicer lcd and 16 shades of grey on the eInk side would be fantastic. I bet the next EE will have the better eInk screen, since the PE already does.

A capacitive/ Pixel Qi screen
A processor that utilizes the full power of Android
16 shades or color eink
Landscape on the reader plus text input from keyboard
A camera that actually does something
Smaller bezels and lose the cheap silver plastic look
A power brick that is smaller with the 90 degree connection
A calendar that syncs with Google
Screen protectors

I didn't realize that the pocket edge eink had 16 shades of gray. Does this make a big difference? Better contrast perhaps? Or do you see the improvement only in images?

Originally Posted by dcubed2

I would also have a 90 degree power cord. The power part that sticks up in the eDGe already broke on me (I'm hoping it was already defective and just snapped due to that), and I'm very afraid it will happen again. Having the power cord stick straight out means that it is more likely to get bumped sideways. My hubby's ancient Thinkpad has a 90 deg cord and it seems so much more secure and safe. I would buy a 90 deg powercord if one was offered in the accessories store.

I wish special screen protectors were available in the store, too. I know many get Kindle ones for the eInk and cut to fit for the lcd, but it would sure be nice to get a set made for the eDGe - no cutting needed.

I agree about the buttons, I'm afraid they will get worn out quickly.

Otherwise, a nicer lcd and 16 shades of grey on the eInk side would be fantastic. I bet the next EE will have the better eInk screen, since the PE already does.

Originally Posted by fgruber

I didn't realize that the pocket edge eink had 16 shades of gray. Does this make a big difference? Better contrast perhaps? Or so you see the improvement only in images?

Better contrast so the text "pops" more. Images are more pleasantly rendered, too.

The things I would like to see on the next gen EE are:
-Thinner
-Lighter
-Smaller Bezel - I also agree with cheyennedonna about losing the cheap looking gray plastic - I would opt for a more professional look
-Better Camra
-Better touch screen on LCD side (wacom enabled would be awsome) I use the pen anyway because I have big fingers that sometime have trouble selecting things.
-Reader landscape mode
-and of course better processer
-I would also love a native calendar that syncs with google

After reading some you likes and dislikes, I think I will need to add these to my own list as well:

Originally Posted by borisb

a colour eink screen (Mirasol, or Pixel Qi) goes without saying,

I can definitely see that being the number one request from anyone, although I don't know what kind of cost is involved in the equation (we they do it, it would make sense to make both screens pixel-qi); if it's feasible, it would be a bloody fantastic addition to the EE.

Originally Posted by fgruber

I would also like to see:
... ...
- more features in the journal (handwriting search, etc)

Yes, that's another thing; although not strictly a hardware feature, it would make the e-ink side even more useful. Right now, things like hexagons and ellipse are not recognized properly yet, having handwriting recognition seems pretty far off . It's probably a lack of proper software, and a lack of processor throughput (some of the best handwriting recog use neural network model, or SVM, can require some serious compute heavylifting), although a halfway decent version might be possible on the current platform. Hopefully it will be within reach, and they will make it happen on the next version in conjunction with Adobe.

Originally Posted by dcubed2

Otherwise, a nicer lcd and 16 shades of grey on the eInk side would be fantastic. I bet the next EE will have the better eInk screen, since the PE already does.

That would also be an excellent upgrade, the pearl screens on the new kindles are a pretty significant improvement in readability and ease on the eyes, I really hope they are moving in that direction.

Originally Posted by borisb

I'd also like to see a faster processor.

Originally Posted by Steed

-and of course better processer

Originally Posted by cheyennedonna

A processor that utilizes the full power of Android

One of the more recent dual core designs from qualcomm or TI, that will be coming out on a slew of devices; or perhaps a Tegra II model would also be nice, the one that's coming in the XOOM tablet from motorola. A dual core 1.2 + GHz ARM Cortex-A9 like one of those mentioned would be superb, although I'm sure the cost would have to go up a bit, in the neighborhood of somewhere $75-100. Hopefully that would be feasible, which would make next EE on par with any new android tablet or iPad 2.

Originally Posted by cheyennedonna

Landscape on the reader plus text input from keyboard

Do you mean using the e-reader side as a keyboard for text input, that is also a fantastic idea. That would make a usage mode as a netbook viable. They would need some e-ink replacement with faster refresh, like the pixel-qi, or the mono-chrome LCD that the Asus eee note is using: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/31/a...ablet-preview/

Originally Posted by cheyennedonna

lose the cheap silver plastic look

Yes, that definitely has to go; if it can be affordable, then some type of metal chassis, or even better, carbon fiber, would be great choices. If not, at least provide some nice texturized rubber or something and use a single color scheme to make it less of an eyesore.

I have put on some decalgirl skin myself, this one in particular: http://www.decalgirl.com/item.view/53473 , which mostly solves that problem.

Originally Posted by HardBall

I can definitely see that being the number one request from anyone, although I don't know what kind of cost is involved in the equation (we they do it, it would make sense to make both screens pixel-qi); if it's feasible, it would be a bloody fantastic addition to the EE.

LOL, I thought we were ignoring cost

Originally Posted by borisb

LOL, I thought we were ignoring cost

Well, that's true, ignoring cost is always fun.

But I'm also thinking about a device that I would like to buy in 12 months or less (fingers crossed).

Seriously guys, the EE is branded as a "Dual BOOK"; not a "Dual PAD" or a "Dual Slate" or even a "Dual Tablet PC". All the complaints about how heavy it is is ridiculous! I understand many consider it a concern, but honestly?!

Most books you find tend to have some weight on them; the EE is no different and it also represents two unique pieces of machinery/technology known to take up space. Entourage did what they could with the time and money they had, and of course, not everyone was happy--satisfied with what they bought, but not totally happy with it. Amazon, Apple, and Barnes N Noble may have the small form-factor down, but their products are considered one specific device capable of multimedia in varying degrees (no less). The Edge is two specific devices in what WAS an appealing form-factor this time LAST year. Now, of course, everyone wants lighter, faster, and flashier for the new year and next gen of tablet contenders.

I've got no problem with my EE's 3lbs. I actually like it because it reminds me that it IS a book and not slightly cheaper Ipad wannabe; I've replaced 6 or 7 HEAVY books for a 3lb book that has all of the previous books' content. Hardball, if you are a Grad student, then you should be used to how heavy textbooks are and consider the weight of the Edge to be almost nothing. I would think that after years of carrying heavy books in a bag or in your arms to class everyday or even a 7-14lbs laptop, one 3lbs e-reader/tablet would hardly be noticeable. However, now I realize that almost everyone's become spoiled by small form factor and lightweight carbon fiber alloys as the big thing these days....

I would hate to think that people have forgotten what the inside of gym looks like in regards to something revolutionary being "heavy" or "cumbersome" at only 3lbs. I hate to keep pushing my point, but that argument about the EE's weight just seems like nitpicking. Even though this thread is nitpicking (as Hardball has said)...but still!

Originally Posted by shinIngt1g3r

I see what you are saying, but that is not the purpose of the thread at all. It's not to complain about what shortcomings EE might have, but to think how the hardware may evolve to meet the desired features of current users, and to meet the needs of future usage patterns.

most of us use the edge on a daily basis, and find it a delight to use most of the time. I myself use it extensively on a majority of the days, and find the benefits far outweigh certain complaints that I might have. But there are certainly lots of room for improvement, as with any other line of tech out there. Voicing our likes and sometimes irritations with the device would only lead to a stronger and more well-rounded platform, think.

I don't think most of us are complaining about the weight of the EE, we are just saying it would be nice if it were a little slimmer and lighter. I think with as far as technology has advanced and continues to do so at a rapid rate it is not an unreasonable request for a future hardware release.
As for now, I, as I am sure most other EE users are, am perfectly happy with my 3lb EE.

Putting a pixel qi screen in the Edge makes no sense. You might as well just ditch the e-ink side of the device if you're going to do that.

In my humiliating opinion, the main problems the Edge has right now are not hardware problems, which is what's so frustrating.