My ultimate gadget has been invented. Meet Earl...

[alittlebitconcerned]

Behold...

Here is a portable IP67 rated waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, solar powered, FM,AM,LW,SW, digital and analogue two way transmitter/receiver, direct sunlight readable flexible HD E-ink screened GPS wonder gadget that will go into production mid April and will be released with Australian topographical maps.

My head has melted and life is complete. Hope it goes to plan.

https://www.meetearl.com

[loanrangie]

If only it had a colour screen .

[spudboy]

Needs an MP3 player....

But brilliant idea!

[alittlebitconcerned]

Needs an MP3 player....

But brilliant idea!

How dare you. Of course it has one, just download a free mp3 android app. :)

[460cixy]

Awesome as we need to have something like this now to hunt in state forests

[alittlebitconcerned]

In the puma it can replace the GPS and crappy CD head unit. Take out the CD head unit, put my CB there, pop the Earl in the GPS ram mount on the dash, load it with all my music, bluetooth connect it to my audio processor and amp under my cubby box. :D

On job sites it can replace the iPad for research, invoicing and emails and show clients plans without having to stand in shade to read it. :p

Kicking back camping it can be my book with built in light (e-ink, next best thing to paper), music source and trip planner. :cool:

I haven't been this excited since I saw X-ray glasses in the back of my comics as a kid. :wasntme:

[AndyG]

Not only can i share my credit card details with nice scanty clad ladies on the net, i can find them :D:p

[Blknight.aus]

nice, be nice if they could include the funky usb output adaptor feature in it like my HTC has, one dongle addition and a USB keyboard and its a basic PC....

[spudboy]

How dare you. Of course it has one, just download a free mp3 android app. :)

OK - I didn't know you could do that, so now of course I want one!

I gather it is still 'vapour-ware' at this stage though....

[lokka]

As long as its not as stupid as this guy were all good :D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/03/1097.jpg

[slug_burner]

maps of Australia? the radio transmitter is not for our bands. Sounds good though

[d2dave]

How small is it?

[V8Ian]

I want one. :twisted:

[alittlebitconcerned]

How small is it?

Around 7", about the size of the ipad mini i think.

[33chinacars]

Specifications: Android 4.1 • Flexible 6" E-ink screen (1024x768) • Sunlight viewable with lunar lantern mode • Glove friendly IR touchscreen • Waterproof shell • Kickstand • Solar charging • i.MX 6 DualLite 1GHz Cortex A9 • 1GB ram • 16GB memory + microSD • Wifi b/g/n • BT 4.0 • ANT+ • NFC • FRS/GMRS/MURS • GPS + GLONASS • Accelerometer • Gyroscope • Magnetometer • Temperature • Barometer • Humidity • Anemometer • AM/FM/SW/LW • IR blaster • 20+ hour battery • 3.5mm TRRS headphone/microphone jack • 20" usb lanyard • 303 grams (10.8 oz) • 183mm x 121mm x 15mm (7.2" x 4.75" x 0.6")

[MBZ460]

maps of Australia? the radio transmitter is not for our bands. Sounds good though

From their website:

Does Earl only work in North America?

Earl works worldwide, however the maps and radio frequencies used are for North America. European and Australia/New Zealand editions will be available towards the beginning of 2014.

I like the specs but I wonder if the e-ink display will work with turn-by-turn street navigation, which needs a reasonable screen refresh rate.
Also I like that it can be used as a e-book reader and I assume that the battery life will be much better with the GPS and radios turned off (my current e-ink e-reader lasts about 3 weeks)
Certainly dont expect it to be useful at browsing the web and video will be out of the question with e-ink. If anyone has not used e-ink devices before note that the screen refresh is very slow (making it perfect for black and white text-only book reading)

[PTC]

I've been watching this since it first came up on Kickstater. I know it wont be as specked out as a full blown tablet. Though something rugged with a good battery life and maps already on it sounds great. Once they release the Aussie version i will try and get one.