Sqigle INC. needs $250,000 in crowd-sourced money to make it happen. But if the brand funds its project the outdoor world will have a neat new tech tool for use in the wilderness.
Caled the Earl, this Android-powered tablet measure about 7 × 5 inches and is made rugged and waterproof for the weather and bumps in the outdoors. A solar charger fold-out on back recharges it in the sun.
Capabilities will range from onscreen maps, GPS, radio functions (AM/FM/NOAA), a speaker for audio, and access to trail databases for hiking maps at the swipe of a finger.
The 1024×768-pixel screen was designed by LG. It’s a 6-inch monochrome “e-ink” display that can be viewed in sunlight.
Sqigle built internal weather sensors on its prototype Earls to forecast and view current temperature, humidity and barometric pressure. A breeze-measuring anemometer on the tablet can track wind speed, and a built-in compass lets you orient a map.
A final cool touch: There’s a two-way radio function on the Earl. This lets two Earl-wielding hikers keep in touch out there up to 20 miles apart, the company notes.
Looks to be a great new invention for any backcountry traveler with a tech side. Go to the company’s webpage to learn more, invest in the Earl, or purchase one on pre-order for $249. Planned delivery if funded is late summer 2013.
—Stephen Regenold
