A cross between a tablet and an e-reader?

[Naurgul]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a all-in-one kind of gadget that I can use mostly in the context of studying. I am starkly aware that I probably I won't find something that does everything I'd want to, but ideally, I'd like to be able to accomplish all of the following tasks on it (listed in order of importance):

1. Reading books
2. Taking notes
3. Browsing the Internet
4. Recording lectures
5. Making phone calls
6. Listening to music
7. Running my own apps

My main concern about reading is eye strain. I have tried reading books on my computer screen and my eyes don't like it. So, I guess a standard LCD screen is out of the question? As for the kind of books I want to import, my collection comes in many formats (chm, djvu, epub, mobi, pdf, comic book archive) although I am aware I can use Calibre if the device can't handle all of them.

I strongly prefer taking notes in handwriting, if I can add an app that does some sort of handwriting recognition that's a plus, but I can live with having to read my own scribbles later. So, I suppose I'd need support for stylus and a rather responsive touch screen?

For both reading and writing, I'd prefer the device to be as close to small-notebook-size as possible. Probably something like 20 x 15 cm would be the best.

As for browsing the internet, I don't care about videos and games. All I need is the ability to read text pages, like the university's blackboard system etc. So I guess wifi support would be nice?

For making phone-calls, I need a place to put my SIM card and then the phone company should treat the device like a regular phone, I hope. I currently live in the Netherlands, if it matters.

About running my own apps, I guess if the device is running or can be made to run a recent version of Android, that should do it? I'm not really sure, I haven't tried programming for mobile devices yet.


My budget depends on how well the device covers my needs and how long I anticipate to keep it. Feel free to suggest devices of any price.


Some devices I have found so far that seem at least somewhat close to my needs:

• Nook touch
• Adam tablet
• HTC Flyer
• Innoversal Lattice
• ZTE Light 2

Of those, the Lattice in particular seems to be the best match (Pixel Qi seems like a good compromise between eye strain and slow refresh rates / lack of colours). However, their site is a mess and I'm not sure I understand the specs correctly, not to mention that it isn't getting released soon.



Thank you for reading this far despite all my insane demands and rambling...

[Dulin's Books]

the Innoversal lattice is not being built. its basically a reference design in search of a company that will purchase them in bulk for branding.

[Naurgul]

Thanks, I wasn't quite sure what was going on with that.

From the ones I mentioned, which one do you think is the best for me? Also, am I missing any good candidates in my list? What about tablets / ereaders that haven't been released yet but will be released soon?

[Dulin's Books]

Well out of the ones you mentioned I would say probably the Flyer.


But there are two that i think trump everything on your list. One thats out already and one that has just been announced.

The Asus eeeNote Does everything you want except phone and I dont know if its been hacked enough to allow for running your own programs.

MobileRead thread https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...ighlight=notes

Asus Page http://www.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Note/Eee_Note_EA800/

The Samsung Galaxy Note was just announced. Its Android so programming for it is possible and its a phone. The display is S-AMOLED which should be easier on the eyes than LCDs

MobileRead thread https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...ighlight=notes

Samsung page http://www.samsung.com/global/micros...html?type=find

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

Well out of the ones you mentioned I would say probably the Flyer.


But there are two that i think trump everything on your list. One thats out already and one that has just been announced.

The Asus eeeNote Does everything you want except phone and I dont know if its been hacked enough to allow for running your own programs.

MobileRead thread https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...ighlight=notes

Asus Page http://www.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Note/Eee_Note_EA800/

The Samsung Galaxy Note was just announced. Its Android so programming for it is possible and its a phone. The display is S-AMOLED which should be easier on the eyes than LCDs

MobileRead thread https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...ighlight=notes

Samsung page http://www.samsung.com/global/micros...html?type=find

I would also add the Asus Eee Pad Transformer to this list as well, with the keyboard dock basicaly turning it into a clamshell netbook, it has Polaris Office installed for your notes and organization, as far as making calls you can use Google Voice and Google Talk with it. and $399USD for the tablet and $150USD for the keyboard dock, it's the best deal going IMHO


http://www.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_...sformer_TF101/


Also If the screen size of the Samsung Galaxy Note isn't too small at 5inches, then that one actually should hit all the right notes on your wish list.

So I would look at
1. Samsung Galaxy Note fist and then the Asus Eee Pad Transformer.

[Naurgul]

Thank you both for your suggestions. I thought about it and at first decided to go for the eee note. Then, I changed my mind and decided to allow some more time to pass before buying a tablet/ereader.

I'll update this thread when I make my order.

Thanks again!

[fishface]

Reviews of the EEE Note:

http://forum.tabletpcreview.com/asus...-artist-3.html

Apparently it's really great as a sketchpad and note pad but not good as a reader or annotator.

The lack of landscape and the slow processor, either one would kill it for me. Like some have said, if they could take a standard Windows slate like the Asus EP121 and then put a non-backlit, high resolution transreflective color LCD on it, then it would be amazing and I'll fork over up to 2 grand for such a device. Still waiting for all this to happen...

[polly]

Since you live in the Netherlands, I would stay away from the Barnes & Noble products. They flatly refuse to support their products outside the US, even blocking firmware upgrades for nonUS IP addresses. There are work arounds, but why should you have to go through the trouble and expense?

If you don't like reading of of LCD screens, you might have problems finding a single device to do everything that you want. My Sony PRS350 is much better for reading than my Asus Transformer. I've tried a few books on my tablet, but the screen is reflective and there are too many distractions. On the other hand, your comics and other color documents will look much better on a tablet than on an e-ink reader. Maybe you would do better with both a tablet and an e-ink reader?

[Naurgul]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact that I'll either have to wait a long time or get two devices. For now, I've lowered the backlight on my PC monitor to read ebooks and I'm still using regular paper notepads in university. It's not nice, but I guess it works.

[Filark]

Have you looked at the enTourage eDGe? It's no longer being made (sadly) but it is almost perfect for what you want. 2 screens, hinged like a book. One is e-ink and one is LCD. It has a voice recorder, Wacom penabled stylus (needed on e-ink, LCD is touch). Has Wi-Fi and USB port, decent speakers, good forum support here on MobileRead. If you can find one you might like it!

Oh, comes in 2 sizes.

(Sorry I didn't see this thread earlier! )

[Naurgul]

Seems very promising. Just to double-check: It does all the things on my list, right? That's what I got from reading a few reviews. Also, what are my options for customising the operating system? What flavour of Android is it? Can I install something else? Is there a modding community dedicated to the device? Finally, where can I buy it? I can only find it on ebay at the moment.

[Serena]

Technically, it does everything on your list except make phone calls. But some of the VOIP apps work on the eDGe. Check out the forum for the device. There are some very knowledgeable and helpful users!

Note, it is only WiFi, but I solved that problem by purchasing a MiFi device to use when I don't have regular WiFi access. I pay $18 a month for 1GB of usage, and I have yet to go over 300 MB in a month.

[Serena]

Sorry, I didn't answer your last question. I think ebay is likely the only place left for you to buy. I don't know if this place ships to the Netherlands?

http://www.samys.com/index/page/prod...+Tablet+(Black)

[Haloman800]

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

Well out of the ones you mentioned I would say probably the Flyer.


But there are two that i think trump everything on your list. One thats out already and one that has just been announced.

The Asus eeeNote Does everything you want except phone and I dont know if its been hacked enough to allow for running your own programs.

MobileRead thread https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...ighlight=notes

Asus Page http://www.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Note/Eee_Note_EA800/

The Samsung Galaxy Note was just announced. Its Android so programming for it is possible and its a phone. The display is S-AMOLED which should be easier on the eyes than LCDs

MobileRead thread https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...ighlight=notes

Samsung page http://www.samsung.com/global/micros...html?type=find

I'd rule out the Galaxy Note if I were you, it has a Pentile Matrix display.. eww. Not sure what country you're in either but for now it's only in the UK anyway so if you're not there it's already ruled out.

If you do want a phone with the best screen available, get the Samsung Infuse from AT&T, or the Droid Charge if you're on Verizon, & seeing as how one of your devices listed is a Droid X, I'm assuming you're on Verizon. I actually have the Droid Charge, I don't use it as an e-reader, but the screen is amazing.

[Filark]

If you haven't found the MobileRead eDGe forum yet, here's the link: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=218.

Amazon US has several Marketplace sellers carrying the Pocket eDGe now. I don't know if any of them would be willing to ship to you, but it might be worth checking.

If you go back in the forum you can read the answers other people got when they were deciding whether to buy an eDGe or not. Might be helpful . . .

Edit: The modding community, small but active, is here on MobileRead at the forum linked above. See if anyone is doing the kind of thing you have in mind, or if the device is not good enough in some way, by reading the posts there. Enjoy!