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.
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
Amazon.com Product Description: The Franklin EBM-911 eBookman is a 16 MB multimedia reader and content player in a pocketable format. With the eBookman, you can download and read or listen to even more 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 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 write quick notes using either the built-in stylus or the pop-up keyboard. The eBookman also helps keep your personal data organized wherever you go, with a calendar, address book, to-do list, and scheduler. The eBookman features state- of-the-art compression, highly sophisticated search, and easy-to-use hypertext. The Franklin EBM-911 eBookman comes with a one-year warranty.
Do not get it if using Windows Vista This product is not compatable with Windows Vista. This was not made clear before purchase. I would feel that if it was not compatable with such a well used product it should have compatability on the ordering information.
This Is Crap Now Service for this device stopped years ago. All of the Ebook services that it provides have abandoned it, so you can't get any books for it anyway. Waste of money, waste of time.
DON'T BUY THIS!!!!
I HATE this device! This device is HORRIBLE. I HATE it with a passion and just wasted my money! Not only does the OS/Apps take a RIDICULOUS amount of memory on the ebookman, it only left me room for THREE ebooks after everything was said and done. Not to mention that I am having the hardest time finding an MMC that works with it. I can't find the lousy three ebooks once they were uploaded onto the machine and the WORST possible feature is that the batteries continue to drain even when the machine is OFF. So EVERY single time I have tried to use it I have to reboot everything, I lost all of my info including my OS/Apps, so they all had to be reuploaded EVERY TIME I HAVE TRIED TO USE IT! So what is the point of an on-off button????? And when I called Franklin when I was having problems with the stupid thing, they informed me that they had sold the product to another company and when I called THAT company all the guy could tell me was that if I wanted to send him my machine he would figure out what was wrong with it and send it back to me....umm yeah thats gonna happen! No wonders Franklin got rid of these pieces of junk!
THIS WAS THE SINGLE WORST PURCHARSE I HAVE EVER MADE! This was a total waste of money, it never work , please do yourself a favor a stay away from Franklin EBM-900 eBookman.
Painful disappointment I was so exicted to imagine that I could easily gather Gutenberg classic books, for free, and then read them anywhere. The eBookman was the answer, I was certain, for a webby person who was in danger of forgetting how to read more than one paragraph on a single topic.
Sadly, the eBookman does not live up to expectations. Simply put, it is poorly built, poorly designed and very poorly supported. My eBookamn lived about 3 months before various buttons crushed in and the navagation wheel fell off. Long before then, the eBookman found reasons to crash during simple opperations like... turning it on... or uploading a book. As has been mentioned over and over, the batteries will die within a few days of installation whether you use the unit or not. Franklin did little to support its customers even during the eBookman's primetime, and now I shudder to think what users do if they encounter problems.
My eBookman was laid to rest after less than 6 months of ownership when it no longer functioned in any form and Franklin failed to offer any significant help or restitution.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
