Its a bit pricey and I understand why with the tech embedded in it. If they could get it down to $200 with good maps out the door, I would totally be interested in it.

@Rann: seriously?!? A decent backcountry GPS runs at least $200... Add on two way radio, android functionality, solar charging, and more... Asking $500 would be reasonable. This is a STEAL.

I agree. The closest in features to this might be the Garmin Rino, which lists for around $600 (depending on the version). Color would be nice, but the e-ink display was a good call considering.
I hope they are successful.

sounds like it is better than my smartphone for gps, etc. however, 32 degrees is not very cold for a unit that goes to the top of everest...not very cold for any northern contiguous US state for that matter...now if it went down to -40 degrees it would be reasonable.
Also i can understand the gps and accelerometer and gyroscope for keeping track of position when satellites are not available, but a magnetometer?? you could maybe use it to prospect for gold?

I wonder how this would work in an ultra light aircraft or small plane?

I agree this is a good deal and a great product, im SERIOUSLY thinking of buying one, maby even one for my brother who would definitely love one.
This is a great idea for anyone thinking of doing some serious backpacking in back country. Also preppers. I think the fact that it has a solar charger is what makes me really like it.
Only thing i could see them adding in the article is the weight.

@notarichman...
Magnetometer could also be described as a digital compass..
Instead of prospecting for gold, maybe the north pole.

And this is why people get lost, need rescue and some die. Before you go out there learn how to use a compass and a map. People rely far too much on GPS, they go thinking the GPS will get them out from anywhere. It wont, it's easy to get lost even with a GPS.
A map and a compass are your best friends, provided you know how to use them. If you do and additionally have a good GPS excellent.
Say you just go trekking at a mountain. You get lost and take out your very expensive cool GPS. Say it works, fixes your position exactly where you are and your altitude. You check where the camping was and head that direction. Oh wait, you are in a mountain and can't remember where you passed (You are lost remember?). You know in which direction the camp is but you can't just walk straight to it, you follow a path and damn it stops and falls down 300 meters. Next path, damn this one also ends in a fall. Again and again and again wrong way. But hey you know you coordinates as well as the camp, seems it's not that useful on it's own, is it? Too bad it's getting late, sun is out and it's now very, very cold. Since you don't know how to use a map (Whether it's a plastic/paper map or the one in the GPS, same thing) I'm going to assume you are one of those idiots that go trekking without appropriate clothes and backup stuff, like say a sleeping bag. You have a phone but there is no reception. It rains and you die. Additionally all this work on your GPS on fixing you position rains the battery, and probably didn't bring backup batteries.
TL;DR Learn to use a map and a compass. Do not ever go out without this knowledge and tools. If you have a GPS as an EXTRA, awesome.

Great idea; I think the market ought to offer a low-end smartphone with e-ink as well, possibly with a solar panel.

Early birds should be careful here, as the U.S. Department of defense might well put a ban on this device for strategic reasons, e.g.. to prevent resistance organizations operating in the wilderness from powerful networking -- or to curb its use for ultra-light aircraft navigation.
It's probably for the same strategic reasons the $100 OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) is still hopelessly behind its sales target -- it has indeed a couple of features to please the revolutionaries, ranging from a screen that can be switched from color to black-and-white for very low consumption and daylight readability, to a handle-operated dynamo for grid-independent recharging, besides retractable antennas and 100% solid-state construction which, together with a shock-proof case, makes it almost indestructible...
Yet did you notice that both the OLPC and the e-ink technology are originating from the MIT? And that the MIT is a government-sponsored institute with close connections to the Pentagon? Hence, we might be a long way from seeing e-ink screens on our tablets, laptops and net-books...
Another risk for early birds might be the CIA running a hidden scheme on the Internet to identify potentially subversive users of the device...