Franklin EBM-901 eBookman (Metallic Black)

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: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004WHFL
• Item model number: EBM-901
• Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank

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  #71 in	Electronics > Office Electronics > Electronic Dictionaries, Thesauri & Translators > Foreign Language Dictionaries
  #90 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 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

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.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars great features, bad design, February 25, 2001

By	"edpon" (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I preordered this from Amazon back in early December and finally received it last week. After playing with the EBM-911 for a week, this is my impression of it.

The Good: Big screen size compared to other PDA's. The ability to listen to music and audio books as well as basic PDA functions. The main reason I bought this thing was for its ebook capabilities. I had my doubts but reading on the eBookman is not bad at all, the text is very sharp and clear. I just hope Microsoft releases the MS Reader soon so I can actually start downloading stuff I actually want to read since there is not that many titles available in the Franklin reader format.

The Bad: If anyone is thinking of buying this primarily for its mp3 capabilities, don't. You would be happier getting a dedicated MP3 player. The eBookman doesn't play mp3's; you'll need to convert your mp3's to Franklin's proprietary compression format. I can live with that but wish the sound quality was a tad better. The two songs I transferred sounded a bit worse than FM quality. Also, on my unit there was a high-pitched humming noise that was emitting from the tiny speaker. It's not noticeable at all unless it is totally quiet in the room, very annoying if you are trying to read in bed. The eBookman is not easy to setup, you'll need to download the manual from Franklin since the quick start guide included in the box is useless. Buggy software.

The Ugly: I just changed the battery the other day and everything was gone when I turned the unit back on. I had to transfer the OS and applications all over again! I removed the battery two more times to see if it would happen again and it did. Imagine that you are on a trip and do not have access to the computer that syncs with your eBookman and your battery runs out...can you say screwed big time? I understand now why they sell the power adapter accessory for the eBookman.

I like the features that the eBookman has, it is everything that I would want or use in a PDA but I don't know if I would have purchased it if I had known about the issue with the battery. Losing all of its memory every time you change the batteries is a big problem.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great deal for the money!, January 30, 2004

By	"joepie" (Lancaster, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I've read other reviews for this product that have people complaining about losing their data when the batteries are changed. THIS IS NOT TRUE if you're carefull. First of all, my ebookman came with a bright blue warning flier stating that your ebookman needs to be turned OFF when you change the batteries. Pretty simple, huh? Also, don't wait for your battery to completely die before you change it. The main menu screen has a battery meter in the bottom right hand corner, and I just switch out the batteries when the meter reaches 10%. I primarily use my ebookman to read ebooks and I love it!

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Normal launch at hot market, February 26, 2001

By	Chris Donovan "[e-mail]" (New York) - See all my reviews

I think Franklin has done good job in sensing the eBook readers have great potential in near future. The eBookMan seems to have arrived a bit earlier, though. The lack of documentation is really disappointing, especially this is eBook reader, after all: I expected that the manual will be in the device itself! Well, the good side is that it can at least easily be fixed in future releases. Here are few advices to other enthusiasts:

- Do not expect easy start; eBookMan will be probably great after another few months. Since it is mainly the software that needs improvement, you may consider purchasing the device now and playing with it;

- Publishers should wait for Microsoft's reader release; the Franklin viewer does not justify investments yet; then again, there is also a MobiPocket reader, so consider that as well.

- Consumers, buy from Amazon, not from Franklin's website: it's cheaper and arrives faster (I got mine from FEP, I know)

- Form factor is good for reading ebooks, screen is clear and if you don't mind the high pitch in quiet rooms it's OK

- Get the 911 model, the 901 does not have enough memory!

- There are still only few places you can get any additional info/software for the eBookMan: I highly recommend the Yahoo! egroup "eBookMan", which was created recently by eBookMan enthusiasts; they have growing list of resources for the device, eBook references and eBookMan third-party application sites

Conclusion: eBookMan has a lot to grow yet, but I think what matters is that the concept beyond it allows for it; it will come at no cost to Franklin and customers to continue upgrading the experience. At present, it is unclear whether Franklin will be able to hold to it, but it surely has a chance.