Earl: a 6" E-ink Android Tablet with Solar Panels and Radio - Page 2

ApK · 05-14-2013, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

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.

Sure sounds like it to me.

Feher · 05-14-2013, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

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.

Yes it is written in questions about Earl section

Quote:

Does Earl work at night? Does it have a flashlight?
Earl's has a front-light which illuminates it's screen in dark conditions. It's bright enough to use as a lantern if you need some extra light around camp.

minor grammatical error - "illuminates it's screen"

usuallee · 05-14-2013, 09:16 AM

Damn a waterproof Android e-ink reader with an HD, flexible screen , some sort of illumination, and an FM/AM.shortwave radio?? That's awesome!

Its a little bulky, I would want to make sure the frontlighting worked well, and I would not mind seeing some reviews beforehand. But damn!

AlbertaCowboy · 05-14-2013, 12:11 PM

Well, I decided to take one for the team.

I preordered one of these magical tablets today.
I needed a new GPS anyways, so I figured I could justify the experiment.
If this goes into production (if the crowdfunding goes through), I can expect to have this lil beauty just in time for hunting season.
If/when it comes, I'll do a solid review with pictures for everyone here.
I hope it's as good as I, well, hope it is.
If nothing else, the solar charger and epub readiness will serve me well after the zombie apocalypse.

fjtorres · 05-14-2013, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbertaCowboy

If nothing else, the solar charger and epub readiness will serve me well after the zombie apocalypse.

But, alas, it won't be that all useful after the coming asteroid impact.

Ideally, what you'll need is an exercise bicycle-driven generator so you can simutaneousely read and charge your reader in the murk of the post-impact global winter. Plus build up your running stamina to improve your own survivability.

din155 · 05-14-2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

But, alas, it won't be that all useful after the coming asteroid impact.

Ideally, what you'll need is an exercise bicycle-driven generator so you can simutaneousely read and charge your reader in the murk of the post-impact global winter. Plus build up your running stamina to improve your own survivability.

I am starting a exercise bicycle repair service then

fjtorres · 05-14-2013, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by din155

I am starting a exercise bicycle repair service then

The big money is going to be in long pig cookbooks.

That's why leg strength is going to be critical.
Or, as somebody somewhere said: "Run away, run away...!"

And survival guides...
Trapping guides...
Any book that'll help you MacGuyver weapons.
The Earl will be worth its weight in C4.

Greg Anos · 05-14-2013, 09:06 PM

Ruggedized solar-powered e-readers and plastic guns...

That's America in the 21st century....

fjtorres · 05-14-2013, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

Ruggedized solar-powered e-readers and plastic guns...

That's America in the 21st century....

And the flying cars are coming.
Asteroid mining, too.
Possibly a warp drive...
http://science.nbcnews.com/_news/201...-possible?lite

CarolineNH · 05-15-2013, 07:10 AM

I like the looks of this! I am considering several long-distance hiking trips in the future, and was planning on bringing my Kindle Paperwhite. I'm wondering how robust the solar charging will be, but otherwise I like this idea very much. Sent the link to DH to see if he'll consider funding this.

Arbait · 05-15-2013, 04:10 PM

"During our crowdfunding campaign, backers can preorder Earl for $249, 30% off retail - through June 9th."
So, Earl is for more than 800 $?

Later edit: AAA, 30% off retail not 30% off the retail... my bad...

Ripplinger · 05-15-2013, 04:14 PM

When I first read about it, my guess was that it would be sold at $399 US. 30% off that would be $279, so without doing the exact math, it should be $379 or around there.

AlbertaCowboy · 05-15-2013, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbertaCowboy

If this goes into production (if the crowdfunding goes through), I can expect to have this lil beauty just in time for hunting season.
If/when it comes, I'll do a solid review with pictures for everyone here.

I just got an email from the Earl Team. Apparently the crowdfunding has been on for less than a week, and the goal is 55% met.
I think there's a pretty good chance that the unit will be produced.
Also, reading the blog on the Earl site, they're using the flexible e-ink screen with no glass. I wonder if it's the same e-ink screen type as the 13.3" Sony prototype uses.
I'm looking forward to seeing the final product!

fjtorres · 05-15-2013, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbertaCowboy

I wonder if it's the same e-ink screen type as the 13.3" Sony prototype uses.
I'm looking forward to seeing the final product!

Its probably the (low volume) LG screen used by Wexler:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=180586

Apparently the screen in the Sony tops out at 150DPI.

Penforhire · 05-15-2013, 07:27 PM

There is something very appealing about it, in a Swiss army knife sort of way. But I have a vision of damaging it in some way (maybe dropping it) and losing all its functions at once.

I'm more of a fan of being able to pick and choose separate components that I can upgrade or replace even if there is a weight/size penalty. I'd rather have my Goal Zero solar kit, Garmin GPS, Kindle PW, etcetera for camping or survival situations.

05-15-2013, 04:10 PM	#26
Arbait Connoisseur Posts: 73 Karma: 673502 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: enTourage pocket eDGe,Pyrus mini, NOOK HD+, KAO, S6, S8, KP4, Note 10+	"During our crowdfunding campaign, backers can preorder Earl for $249, 30% off retail - through June 9th." So, Earl is for more than 800 $? Later edit: AAA, 30% off retail not 30% off the retail... my bad... Last edited by Arbait; 05-15-2013 at 05:08 PM.

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05-14-2013, 09:16 AM	#18
usuallee Media Junkie Posts: 278 Karma: 2039392 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Device: Kobo Libra H20, Kindle PW	Damn a waterproof Android e-ink reader with an HD, flexible screen , some sort of illumination, and an FM/AM.shortwave radio?? That's awesome! Its a little bulky, I would want to make sure the frontlighting worked well, and I would not mind seeing some reviews beforehand. But damn!

05-14-2013, 12:11 PM	#19
AlbertaCowboy Guru Posts: 819 Karma: 171672846 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Device: PRS-350, PRS-650, iPhone 6, NVIDIA Shield K1	Well, I decided to take one for the team. I preordered one of these magical tablets today. I needed a new GPS anyways, so I figured I could justify the experiment. If this goes into production (if the crowdfunding goes through), I can expect to have this lil beauty just in time for hunting season. If/when it comes, I'll do a solid review with pictures for everyone here. I hope it's as good as I, well, hope it is. If nothing else, the solar charger and epub readiness will serve me well after the zombie apocalypse.

05-14-2013, 09:06 PM	#23
Greg Anos Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,247 Karma: 35000000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Pocketbook	Ruggedized solar-powered e-readers and plastic guns... That's America in the 21st century....

05-15-2013, 07:10 AM	#25
CarolineNH Expert napper Posts: 112 Karma: 77362 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Hampshire Device: Kindle Paperwhite, iPad Pro, Kindle Fire 10	I like the looks of this! I am considering several long-distance hiking trips in the future, and was planning on bringing my Kindle Paperwhite. I'm wondering how robust the solar charging will be, but otherwise I like this idea very much. Sent the link to DH to see if he'll consider funding this.

05-15-2013, 04:14 PM	#27
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	When I first read about it, my guess was that it would be sold at $399 US. 30% off that would be $279, so without doing the exact math, it should be $379 or around there.

05-15-2013, 07:27 PM	#30
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	There is something very appealing about it, in a Swiss army knife sort of way. But I have a vision of damaging it in some way (maybe dropping it) and losing all its functions at once. I'm more of a fan of being able to pick and choose separate components that I can upgrade or replace even if there is a weight/size penalty. I'd rather have my Goal Zero solar kit, Garmin GPS, Kindle PW, etcetera for camping or survival situations.

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