Here we are again with a new e-reader, which seems to be just in between the Microsoft Courier concept and the Barnes and Noble Nook.

The device reminds one of a netbook when closed, but it reveals its inner goodies once opened: a 9.7” e-Ink screen on the left and a 10.1” 1024 X 600 pixel color touchscreen on the right. Both screens allow us to interact with the device through a stylus on the e-ink side and with your fingers on the LCD side. From the producer site we learn it is a media capable Android device with 3 GB internal storage:

Netbook Functionality

The enTourage eDGe™ color touchscreen is a whole netbook, ready to play movies or MP3s, organize your books, notes, and pictures, or let you instant message your friends. The screen is 1024 x 600 pixels, or 10.1 inches measured diagonally. You can view images from the e-book you’re reading on the color display. You can open a virtual keyboard and type instant messages or emails. The netbook includes an audio recorder to capture lectures for later playback or sharing. It also has a video camera to record still images or movies as MP4s or 3GP files. You can plug in headphones or a microphone or use the built in speaker and recorder.

The netbook functionality comes with web browsing, audio/video record and playback, an email function and contacts list, a calculator, an alarm clock, and a library function to manage your books and files. The enTourage eDGe™ uses the Google^® Android^® operating system, so you can add other applications you need.

Communications

The enTourage eDGe™ has built in WiFi^®, plus optional 3G capability using an EVDO or HSDPA mobile modem. You can quickly download e-books, send an email, browse the web, or combine your notetaking, emailing, and browsing, all from one device. The eDGe also includes BlueTooth^® capability to add an external keyboard.

Thousands of Books in under 3 Pounds

The enTourage eDGe™ weighs in at 2.5 pounds, and is 8 1/4 by 10 3/4 by 1 inch, closed. You can easily carry thousands of books with the built-in 3 GB of usable memory. You can use an SD card or a USB flash drive to add to the storage, or move files to and from your MP3 player, your phone, your PC, even your camera.

Go Study (or Play) All Day

The enTourage eDGe™ was designed to let you go all day without recharging the battery. The lithium ion polymer battery can last up to 6 hours of use without recharging. One of the big advantages of the enTourage eDGe™ is that the battery can be replaced if it’s ever necessary. And that lets you keep a spare on hand, if you want to have a backup for busy days.

While you read and make notes on the e-ink screen, you will be able to input text on the LCD and do Internet searches on the Android side. A tour of the device is available on the enTourage site.

Press the “Try it!” button link to start a fast demo

For sure this device is packing more than a dual screen alone, however the eDGe price at 490 $ and the February 2010 release seem to put the device at risk in a market now crowded by big names such as the Amazon Kindle and the new Barnes and Noble Nook, which is missing in the comparison chart made by enTourage to enlighten the eDGe advantages.

Comparison chart with other major competitors

Producer site: enTourage

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