Franklin EBM-901 eBookman (Metallic Black)

Franklin eBookMan EBM-901 provides you with the best reading experience available in pocket-size electronic format. Use eBookman cartridges, download books and MP3 music and read or listen to them anywhere at anytime. It is also a PDA device - letting you Record your voice and take notes in your own handwriting, make schedules, appointments and to-do lists. The array of programs comes in the package with your eBookman device, others can be purchased or downloaded form the Internet. Install the included dictionaries on your eBookman using the standard installation procedures. With this eBookman you can read, listen to music, organize your activities and easily handle translations with help of the 7 dictionaries included! Language pairs: English<->Dutch, English<->German, English<->Italian, English<->Portuguese, English<->French, English<->Swedish, English<->Spanish. Each of the 7 dictionaries has a word base of 400,000. Display: 16-level grayscale display and high-resolution touch screen with enhanced polarizers; Hardware features: USB port. MultiMediaCard (MMC) slot. Headphone jack. Speaker. Microphone. Backlight; Accessories: Stylus. Removable lid. Cradle with USB connector (serial cradle sold separately); Memory: 8 MB SDRAM. MMC slot for expandable memory; PC system requirements: IBM-compatible 486 PC or higher. 256 color VGA monitor. Mouse or other pointing device. Windows NT 4.0, Windows 98, or Windows 2000. 50 MB free disk space. 32 MB RAM (recommended). available serial or standard USB port3. Internet connectivity. Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 (or later) OR Netscape Navigator 4.02 (or later); Desktop software: eBookMan Desktop Manager with Outlook synchronization powered by Intellisync for eBookMan; Core applications: Franklin Viewer. Franklin Reader. Audiobook Player. Music Player. Date Book. Address Book. Voice Memo. Memo Book. ToDo Book. Calculator.

One of the main complaints about the first few generations of electronic book readers is their cost--who wants to pay several hundred dollars for the equivalent of a few $3 paperbacks? Enter Franklin's new line of eBookMan devices, available in three different models. We got an early peek at the midlevel eBookMan, which features 8 MB of memory, a sharp 200 x 240 16-level gray scale display, and excellent versatility.

In addition to being an e-book reader, the eBookMan also plays audio files (both audiobooks and MP3s), records voice messages, and functions as a respectable PDA. A flip-up cover and hard rubber outer coating afford protection for the device. With a USB-connected cradle, transfers between desktop and the eBookMan proceed quickly.

While the eBookMan offers a date book, address book, memo application (using natural handwriting recognition), and voice memo recorder, its main angle is still as a book reader. The large screen and powerful backlight makes reading literature in the Franklin Reader format clear, though the backlight did seem to drain the batteries rather quickly in our demo unit.

Ironically, the eBookMan's versatility also draws attention to its limitations. While the unit will play MP3 files, it can only store two or three songs at once with its 8 MB of memory (the top-of-the-line model, the EBM-911, comes with 16 MB). However, if you pick up an optional MultiMediaCard with up to 64 MB of memory, it is possible to adapt the eBookMan into a more respectable MP3 player.

While you'll need to spend a little extra to money to get your eBookMan to reach its full potential, the unit's low original cost and variety of applications make it an excellent gateway into the world of electronic literature. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Very versatile--PDA, e-books, audiobooks, and MP3s in one device
• USB connection
• Large display

Cons:

• Not currently compatible with Microsoft Reader
• Short battery life
• Gray scale only

The Franklin EBM-901 eBookman is an 8 MB multimedia reader and content player in a pocketable format. With the eBookman, you can download and read or listen to thousands of your favorite books. For reading comfort, the eBookman has a large display that shows 87 percent more information than other handheld devices. The display is backlit and is easy to read in both dim and very bright light. If you need to check a definition while reading a book, the eBookman comes with an easily accessible Merriam-Webster dictionary. You can also listen to music by downloading your favorite songs in MP3 format. The built-in microphone allows you to record messages that you can play back anytime, or you can write quick notes using either the built-in stylus or the pop-up keyboard. You can keep your personal data organized wherever you go with the eBookman's calendar, address book, to-do list, and scheduler. The eBookman features state- of-the-art compression, highly sophisticated search, and easy-to-use hypertext.