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

JAcheson · 05-13-2013, 03:53 PM

Meet Earl

"Earl" is an Android tablet with a 6" e-ink screen and solar cells on the back, designed to be a back-country survival tool with GPS and preloaded maps. It also is set up to read Epub, Mobi and PDF.

Further, it has a fairly decent radio in it:

Quote:

Worldwide FM band (64–108 MHz). Worldwide AM band (520–1710 kHz). Shortwave band (2.3–21.85 MHz). Longwave band (153–279 KHz). NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Band using SAME technology (162 MHz).

The tablet has a 3000mAh battery rated for 20 hours of active use. The solar cells are supposed to recharge it in 5 hours.

Originally seen on Engadget.

Frankly, I'm interested in the thing just to have a full-fledged Android tablet with an e-ink screen.

ApK · 05-13-2013, 04:02 PM

I like it!

I don't know why I'm so into things like this I'm not a survivalist, a prepper, nor am I even especially outdoorsy, but if I was in the business of designing gadgets, this is the kind of gadget I'd want to design.

ilovejedd · 05-13-2013, 05:10 PM

Me want. I'm not the outdoorsy type either but the IP67 rating would make it an ideal reader in the bath or by the beach/swimming pool.

Android 4.1 means I can use Mantano Reader Premium or a host of other Android reader apps that, for some reason, have better library management and user-friendly features/options compared to commercial e-ink readers.

taosaur · 05-13-2013, 07:45 PM

I'm an outdoorsman more in theory than in practice, but I like that it's designed to operate as a self-contained unit--a tri-corder of sorts, for the Trekkies out there

Too many apps and utilities on mobile devices demand a data connection for no good reason whatsoever (usually DRM and/or cross-marketing with social networks). My main interest in tablet technology from the start was offline reading and reference.

ApK · 05-13-2013, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taosaur

I'm an outdoorsman more in theory than in practice, but I like that it's designed to operate as a self-contained unit--a tri-corder of sorts, for the Trekkies out there

...and I guess THAT explains why I like it.

Ankh · 05-13-2013, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Android 4.1 means I can use Mantano Reader Premium or a host of other Android reader apps that, for some reason, have better library management and user-friendly features/options compared to commercial e-ink readers.

Specs are impressive, solar cells a natural pairing with power-savvy tech like eInk. But when it comes to using of-the-shelf Android apps on eInk screen, I want to see it in action first. If it is as fast as Aura HD, they have a winner.

tubemonkey · 05-13-2013, 10:32 PM

Interesting concept that definitely intrigues me. But, I have two reservations that make it a no-go. The first one is its size. It's too large to be lugging around on the trails. 5" would be much better. The second problem is it's lack of a hardshell snap-on cover to protect the display.

ApK · 05-13-2013, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Interesting concept that definitely intrigues me. But, I have two reservations that make it a no-go. The first one is its size. It's too large to be lugging around on the trails. 5" would be much better. The second problem is it's lack of a hardshell snap-on cover to protect the display.

I don't think the one inch should be showstopper. And it will hopefully be rugged enough without a cover, but you could always provide your own. I'd rather carry the extra inch of useful device than a cover if its not needed

meeera · 05-13-2013, 11:14 PM

Cool! I've been wondering why e-ink readers don't have solar cells like lots of calculators do.

tubemonkey · 05-13-2013, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApK

I don't think the one inch should be showstopper. And it will hopefully be rugged enough without a cover, but you could always provide your own. I'd rather carry the extra inch of useful device than a cover if its not needed

It has the same dimensions as a 7" tablet. That's too large for one handed use.

I'm sure it's a rugged device; but for outdoor use, the display needs hardshell protection similar to the snap-on covers used by OtterBox and Seidio.

Atunah · 05-14-2013, 12:03 AM

Wait, it has (or will have) a flexible e-ink display? And solar? Neat.

tubemonkey · 05-14-2013, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atunah

Wait, it has (or will have) a flexible e-ink display? And solar? Neat.

Yep; flexible is a big plus.

din155 · 05-14-2013, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Interesting concept that definitely intrigues me. But, I have two reservations that make it a no-go. The first one is its size. It's too large to be lugging around on the trails. 5" would be much better. The second problem is it's lack of a hardshell snap-on cover to protect the display.

I would have jumped in if it had 5" screen. Having said that, I love the concept. Flexible Eink screen, android 4.1, built in GPS, AM/FM, solar charger, waterproof , and more, what’s not to like

Kumabjorn · 05-14-2013, 08:11 AM

They won't offer a European version until the end of the year.

Ripplinger · 05-14-2013, 08:17 AM

Quote:

"Lunar" mode for nighttime illumination also doubles as an emergency lantern.

I wonder if that's anything like a front light or how it works for reading at night? It really sounds like an interesting device.

05-13-2013, 10:32 PM	#7
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,852 Karma: 158733736 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	Interesting concept that definitely intrigues me. But, I have two reservations that make it a no-go. The first one is its size. It's too large to be lugging around on the trails. 5" would be much better. The second problem is it's lack of a hardshell snap-on cover to protect the display. Last edited by tubemonkey; 05-13-2013 at 10:38 PM.

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05-13-2013, 04:02 PM	#2
ApK Award-Winning Participant Posts: 7,402 Karma: 69116640 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ, USA Device: Kindle	I like it! I don't know why I'm so into things like this I'm not a survivalist, a prepper, nor am I even especially outdoorsy, but if I was in the business of designing gadgets, this is the kind of gadget I'd want to design.

05-13-2013, 05:10 PM	#3
ilovejedd hopeless n00b Posts: 5,126 Karma: 19597086 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: in the middle of nowhere Device: PW4, PW3, Libra H2O, iPad 10.5, iPad 11, iPad 12.9	Me want. I'm not the outdoorsy type either but the IP67 rating would make it an ideal reader in the bath or by the beach/swimming pool. Android 4.1 means I can use Mantano Reader Premium or a host of other Android reader apps that, for some reason, have better library management and user-friendly features/options compared to commercial e-ink readers.

05-13-2013, 07:45 PM	#4
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 an outdoorsman more in theory than in practice, but I like that it's designed to operate as a self-contained unit--a tri-corder of sorts, for the Trekkies out there Too many apps and utilities on mobile devices demand a data connection for no good reason whatsoever (usually DRM and/or cross-marketing with social networks). My main interest in tablet technology from the start was offline reading and reference.

05-13-2013, 11:14 PM	#9
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,862 Karma: 68407974 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	Cool! I've been wondering why e-ink readers don't have solar cells like lots of calculators do.

05-14-2013, 12:03 AM	#11
Atunah Wizard Posts: 1,817 Karma: 23400001 Join Date: May 2012 Location: USA Device: K1/K3/BasicK Voyage/Oasis1/Oasis3	Wait, it has (or will have) a flexible e-ink display? And solar? Neat.

05-14-2013, 08:11 AM	#14
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	They won't offer a European version until the end of the year.