Franklin EBM-911 eBookMan (Translucent Graphite)

by Franklin Electronics

Product Details

Product Manual [3.69mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 3.4 x 0.7 inches ; 6.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00004WHFN
• Item model number: EBM-911
• Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (91 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,894 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 17, 2000

Product Description

Color: 911 (Translucent Graphite)

Amazon.com Review

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 top level eBookMan, which features 16 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 four to six songs at once with its 16 MB of memory. 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

Product Description

Franklin eBookMan EBM-911. This eBookman features a large graphic screen, high resolution makes for natural smooth font appearance and it's easy on your eyes. The array of programs comes in the package with your eBookman device, others can be purchased or downloaded form the Internet. Install the inlcuded dictionaries on your eBookman using the standard installation procedures. With this eBookman you can read, listen to music, organize your activities. Address book and organizer computer synchronization is not available. 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. Memory: 16 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, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. 50 MB free disk space. 32 MB RAM. 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.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

159 of 161 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The good, the bad and the ugly., February 16, 2001

By 

Robert A. Lang "embert" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Franklin EBM-911 eBookMan (Translucent Graphite) (Office Product)

After a prolonged delay, and eager anticipation the Franklin eBookman finally shipped today. Its not every day that a new device comes out that features all the usual organiser/PIM/PDA function but also an MP3 player, an eBook reader and an Audio Book player. First impressions are mixed. The box comes with the device, a flimsy plastic cover, a USB cable and thats all. No user manual or instruction guide. Instead, just a leaflet telling you to download the operating system from Franklin.com. That's right! - You have to download the OS and install it before you can use it. Took me about 1 hour (and I'm not computer illiterate!). Beware - all the basic information takes up almost 5MB of memory. Leaves only 11MB on the EBM911 and only 3.5MB on the EBM900!!

Finally...up and running! The screen is clear, backlight works well. The case is solid (surprisingly heavy). Touch screen is sensitive, and the handwriting recognition software is fairly accurate, even with no practice. A (on-screen) pop-up keyboard is provided if you prefer. The PC-link software is effortless. Simply drag files from the PC screen to the eBookman screen and the file is transfered instantly.

Now, a few bugs emerge. The Date Book funtion allows you to view your appointments in daily, weekly or monthly format. Unfortunately, when adding a recurring appointment in the daily view, it did not show up on the weekly view(!) Easy to miss a crucial meeting this way. Also, the To-Do list is not synchronised with the Date Book. So if you have added a task to do in the To Do folder, it will not show up on the relevent day in the Date book. Annoying.

The MP3 player is surprisingly good quality sound, even without earphones. But it played my test file too fast. I could not find any parameters to change the playback speed.

Still waiting to download an ebook for the eBook reader. The claim is a clear type, resizable fonts, read in landscape or portrait orientation, bookmarkable, searchable text.

Finally, the ugly. The stylus provided is a very cheap, plastic job that looks like it came out of a cereal box. It does not click firmly into the case, so easy to lose.

Overall, this machine has potential. Some bugs need ironing out. Luckily, with the PC synchronising software, this should be an easy job for Franklin, by just providing updates to their downloadable software. The open platform allows 3rd parties to produce custom software. Applications should abound in the near future.

I'm not 100% happy with it yet, but I'm going to keep my eBookman to see what the future holds.

172 of 176 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Beware Of Data Loss, January 10, 2004

By 

TOL (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Franklin EBM-911 eBookMan (Translucent Graphite) (Office Product)

I have had my eBookman for over a year now and I have read all of the reviews on this site and others. The pros and cons seem to be pretty accurately stated by other reviewers so I will not waste anybody's time repeating what has already been said. However, there seems to be something which has been missed in other reviews. What I've noticed is that most other reviewers seem to be avid readers who use their eBookman's everyday. And for those users, the complaint that I have is probably simply a minor annoyance. But for users like myself who bought the eBookman for the occassional business trip or long flight, there is a ridiculously inconvenient feature that makes it almost impossible to use. That is, if you leave your eBookman off for any extended period of time, the batteries continue to drain until they are completely dead! Yes, you heard me. THIS UNIT USES UP THE BATTERIES EVEN WHEN IT IS OFF. For example, I would regularly put in a fresh set of batteries and within 3 weeks they would be completely dead (without ever having turned on the unit). At first, I thought there was something wrong with my unit. But a call to Franklin's technical support confirmed my worst fear: This is the way the units were designed!

But, wait - I haven't even gotten to the punch line yet! When the batteries run out, all of the data is lost - INCLUDING THE OPERATING SYSTEM. This is because the unit has no internal battery back-up. It just uses a capacitor which only holds a smal charge for a few seconds (supposedly just long enough to change batteries when the battery indicator is running low). But if your batteries run out, it's BYE-BYE data! So, for the casual user, what that means is that you end up having to re-install the entire operating system and all of your titles every time you turn the unit on (assuming you do not use it an a VERY regular basis). This, by the way, is no short task (although, in fairness to Franklin, it is a simple process). For me, this problem renders the eBookman TOTALLY USELESS. Now, I'm sure there are avid readers or frequent travelers who would love to have what otherwise would be classified as a pretty decent reader for a very decent price. But, for me, it is just a paperweight.

In summary, if you use the eBookman everyday, I guess you could find a use for it. But if you plan to let it rest - even for a relatively short period of time - I would look elsewhere.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Please Don't Buy This Thing!, September 2, 2004

By 

L & D RN (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Franklin EBM-911 eBookMan (Translucent Graphite) (Office Product)

I purchased this item directly from the manufacturer and had it shipped to my home. This was the single worst purchase I have ever made. The device came broken, ie, the display screen was full of black lines that wouldn't clear. When I tried to talk to customer service, they would not just take back the item, but wanted a restocking fee of 6.5% for this defective item. AND the phone number I had to call for customer service is in New York and no toll free number was provided. When I asked to talk to the customer service manager, they refused, then after I insisted, they put me through to the manager's voice mail. He never returned my call (big, huge shock). In any case, I have had the shipping company investigate the broken item and I hope to get my money back one way or the other. All in all, the manufacturer of this item provided a poor product and rotten customer service. If I could give a zero star rating, I would.

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