http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 7:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 7:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 7:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 10:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 10:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/go android! :D]]>Oct 19th 2009 7:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
Wonder when Palm's gonna make a WebOS layer for Android?

This year?
]]>Oct 19th 2009 9:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
What say you, Apple Tablet?]]>Oct 19th 2009 7:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
The double screen seems like a bad fix for the unavailable color e-ink display. I need to switch between screens to see it in color? O, need to switch back to save battery life. Simply accept ereaders aren't ready for the web. The refresh rate isn't there and the color isn't there. You can't fix it by putting Android underneath it. However cool it might be.

Two main reasons to buy an ereader:

1. The paper-like screen
2. The 2 week battery life

This has:

1. Only half
2. A lot less than half (if the battery survived a full day of traveling I'd be surprised)]]>Oct 19th 2009 7:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
We would gladly pay $400 for an instant-on and light web browsing device. If we could read books with it, that would be a bonus. eReaders seem to be "almost" the solution - for us.

Sadly, this "Alex" device is not it. Who had the stupid idea to squish together two screens? People who already have a smartphone (which usually have 3.2" screens already) can use it to surf the web - if they wanted to do that on a 3.2" screen. People who want an eReader would probably like a bigger screen instead...the only "selling feature" here seems to be that you can move a web page over to the eReader display for better reading enjoyment....not much of an incentive, if you ask me.
]]>Oct 19th 2009 8:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Mind you a bit bigger than what I would like to have, but a step in the right direction.

As for battery issues, I'm sure you would have the option to toggle wifi, radios, and 3g capabilities, even the lcd screen for that matter. ]]>Oct 19th 2009 8:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
Is it wrong for wanting to kick this guy and his wife in the teeth?
"My wife and I surf the web at night rather than watch tv. We were doing it on our laptops. When we got our iphones, we started using it - despite the tiny screen - because it was instant-on"
I can see the two of you douches, sitting on the couch, surfing the web: what a sad sight. How cool are you that you cant wait .30 secs for your Ubuntu machine?
]]>Oct 19th 2009 8:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 9:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
You said that if you can read books with it, it would be a bonus. So in other words, reading books is not your primary desire for this device. So, in other words, you don't want an ereader. You want a device that is instant-on to quickly browse the web while watching television. Sounds like you want a netbook. Check out one of the new netbooks running android. That's what you're after. Or wait for the first ChromeOS netbook.]]>Oct 19th 2009 10:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 1:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
Somewhat agree. Somewhat.

I do want my ebook reader to browse the web. I want it to do everything. But I'm willing to accept the limits of the technology, which means that eInk really can't do that.

The optimum ebook reader however should be extremely light and thin with exceptionally good battery life. Rather than wasting space on a keyboard like the kindle, a touch screen seems like a good choice. But if the Sony Reader's are any indication, the addition of a touch layer on top of the eInk screen just represents too many compromises in readability. Which is why B&N are apparently looking at a SMALL LCD touch screen below the BIG eInk screen above. Presumably the LCD screen would be off most of the time. The reason to make it LCD rather than just a touchpad with maybe a keyboard on it would seem obvious--you can change the controls as needed. So page numbers or swipe gestures or a keyboard, or whatever. If they don't hurt the battery life too much this seems like a nice idea. We'll have to see how it plays out in terms of price, battery life, size of the device etc vs. the Kindle approach.

The device pictured here though is obviously confused about what that area below is for. Watching videos and viewing pictures? As you say that's stupid. The battery life will be next to nothing or the thing won't be thin and light and cheap anymore. Stupid.]]>Oct 19th 2009 3:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 7:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 11:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/You're right that my primary purpose would not to be reading *books*, but my primary purpose is to *read*. I surf the web, sure enough, but the sites I frequent are mostly static, readable content - i.e. I don't need video playback capability (for which eInk with its slow refresh rate would be unsuitable anyway).

You mention netbooks. My friend has one - it's not instant-on (a Dell Mini 10). Also it has a 600px vertical resolution - not very much. I believe the Kindle has around 820px? (Plus on a netbook addtional pixels are taken away for window title borders, task bars, etc.)

So, I want to maximize my reading ability of online content - including books. To me that means a device with good screen resolution (to minimize eye strain) and not waiting for a device to boot.

Despite what Agent.25 may think (if higher brain functions are within his grasp), devices that cost what eReaders cost, should try to appeal to as many people as possible (as long as they're within the technology's reach) to gain traction. If an eReader was given away for free or heavily subsidized by book sellers, eReaders could succeed purely by reading books and pdfs, but something that costs this much is a different story.
]]>Oct 19th 2009 2:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 8:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
]]>Oct 19th 2009 8:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 8:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/There's a company who makes a hybrid LCE-eInk display - was even mentioned in an engadget article recently:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/17/pixel-qi-e-ink-lcd-hybrid-display-to-debut-on-tablet-next-mont/

That seems like a much better solution than this two-screen design. So if Apple were to go into the eReader market and couldn't wait for true color eInk to come out, I would guess/hope that they would go this route instead of this clumsy design.]]>Oct 19th 2009 8:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 8:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/]]>Oct 19th 2009 8:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 10:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
An e-reader should be a as-small-as-possible (screen and a little bezel for holding), light, thin device with great battery life and a screen that is perfect for *reading* (not surfing, not watching videos, or any other nonsense). Instead of focusing on the main things with a reader, devices like that one or the rumored B&N reader focus on useless gimmicks that water down the reading experience...which is plain stupid.]]>Oct 19th 2009 8:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
I love convergence - and I'm an early adopter of most things (HDTV, MP3 jukeboxes, e-readers, you name it) - but I cannot see a market for this convergence. E-readers are a niche - this is a niche of a niche - it doesn't move it into the mainstream.

As has been said, a huge part of the value of e-readers over netbooks is the battery life - this has been sacrificed for a negligibly useful second screen. Seems to be differentiation for the sake of it.]]>Oct 19th 2009 2:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 2:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 8:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
I can only find mugs with 'Bort' on it.]]>Oct 19th 2009 3:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 5:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
If it folded like a book, with both screens the same size I might be interested.

Make it the size of a novel and I would be sold.]]>Oct 19th 2009 8:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
]]>Oct 19th 2009 9:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 9:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 10:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
http://www.rgbfilter.com/?p=2098

I suspect a limited lifespan for dedicated e-readers. With netbooks approaching the 10hr battery life mark, all it takes is someone like Acer or HP to come out with a convertible netbook using 3Qi screens to create that truly 'use anywhere' all-in-one device, and not have to worry about file formats, or purchasing from one book vendor etc...
]]>Oct 19th 2009 11:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 2:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 12:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
I'll keep my Kindle2, thanks. ]]>Oct 19th 2009 1:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 1:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
I have no hate for Plastic Logic, but I do hate how they've been "teasing" for 2 years, and still have nothing to show for it. Who wants an 81/2 x 11 e-book reader anyhow? That is not my definition of portable or handy.]]>Oct 19th 2009 1:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 2:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Why the heck would u drop a dime in a reader when it's been on the iPhone for over a year now. Dee Dee deee!!insane.

]]>Oct 19th 2009 1:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 2:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
Yes, your iPhone has a camera, but when you go on vacation, what camera do you take with you? ]]>Oct 19th 2009 2:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 2:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/
also inb4 truth tries to insult me by trying to crrect my spelling and then mentions that his iphone has auto correct and he never has misspelled words. :x]]>Oct 19th 2009 2:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 3:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/Oct 19th 2009 2:02PM