Franklin EBM-911 eBookMan (Translucent Graphite)

Other products 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.
• ASIN: B00004WHFN
• Item model number: EBM-911
• Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #49 in

  Electronics > Office Electronics > eBook Readers

• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 17, 2000

Product Description

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
eBookMan series of new PDAs is a brand new device, so called "electronic book" that allows you not only to read thousands of titles available for the Microsoft Reader and Franklin's own library but to listen to audio books as well. 16-level grayscale display with 200 x 240 dpi resolution. In fact, it is a common digital assistant that will help you manage and store address-book, date-book, to-do list giving you a possibility of text entry via touchscreen. You can easily synchronize important data to Microsoft Outlook using Intellisync connection. MP3-capable music player enables you to use both a built-in headphone jack, or a speaker. Voice recording via microphone is also available.The eBookMan comes with 8 or 16 MB RAM, which can be expanded even further, with an option of screen backlighting, and with a number of book titles. A cradle with USB cable, stylus, and Quick Reference Guide are included. The device runs on two AAA batteries.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

165 of 167 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

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.

149 of 151 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)

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.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very impressive, so far, February 22, 2001

By A Customer

I am so far very impressed with this device and think franklin has themselves a winner, especially, if the promised microsoft reader compatibility comes through. Even without this, though, the device fits the bill for my needs. Aside from providing for all your basic PDA needs, the ebook functions work very well. Granted, there are not many free titles yet for the native franklin reader format, however, there are plenty of compatible titles for reading in the franklin viewer format which is compatible with .txt files as well as the old palm pilot .... One of the best ebooks sites, on the web, www.blackmask.com just reformatted their entire collection of 1930+ books in the old .pdb format just to offer it for franklin ebookman buyers. This site increases their content virtually on a daily basis. Project Gutenberg .txt files are also viewable through the franklin viewer. Granted, the viewer does not yet offer, the same glitzy functions that the reader does, such as changeable fonts, bookmarks, change in orientation, etc., but it's still extremely usable and all for free. No copyright infringement, though. In addition, mobipocket reader(www.mobipocket.com) has already released their version for the ebookman, and offers some free etitles in their native format, more than franklin. In addition, copyrighted titles are available for purchase through their site as well. The software appears to work well(.prc format), though I can not yet access .txt and .htm files through it as promised( perhaps not implemented yet). The software for reading as well as basic publishing software, however, is free. The publishing software appears much more friendly than the franklin publishing software and most people will probably be able to convert any txt files of their choosing and convert into the native .prc format. Definitely worth checking out. I'm expecting some significant software updates and changes from franklin in the near future which should improve on some of the little glitches and impairments of the unit. The negative side: For true flexibility, mp3 player,etc, the unit will require memory expansion, of at least 64mb, which is all that is available at the present time. The unit is small, light in weight, but with a very solid feel. I received a nice black leather case for mine, however, this may have been something thrown in by amazon as an initial promotion. The screen is clear and usable in almost all light conditions. The unit is great to read with in bed, in the dark with the backlight on without disturbing your spouse. I recommend it and think at its present price point that it will be a winner. I am reserving the final star for some of the software glitches and problems that are still being worked on.