EBookMan

http://www.ebookweb.org/ has good info on several popular ebook readers.

Quick specs:

Franklin eBookMan, 5.2x3.4", 0.4 pound, 200 x 240 screen (2-5/8x3-1/8"), 76 dpi, 7 hours, 8MB/16MB (90x/911)+MMC USB jack is type A (4 pins in a line) which is non-standard for most devices which use type B (4 pins in a square), but A-to-A cables are available.

Pros

bigger screen than the Palm

MMC memory expansion is cheap

Audible support (not tested by me)

cons

speed: MMC access is slow, USB port slow, UI sluggish.

screen: resolution is blocky, contrast is bad, backlight dim

OS & programs not stable & lack features (file mgr can't access MMC)

non-standard handwriting makes me appreciate graffiti

much less content/apps/support than Palm

no IR port (no way to exchange data with another handheld, or PC w/o cable)

"Desktop" program is simply an uploader--no provisions for syncing apps with offline data entry.

MP3 playback low quality, foreground app only (i.e. can't listen while reading an eBook!)

Links:

• http://www.franklin.com/eBookMan/
• http://www.ebookweb.org/
  • "Whither Franklin"[1]
  • "Franklin Mounts Big Content Push"[2]
  • "Putting the Franklin eBookMan Through its Paces"[3]
  • "E-Ink: Don't Break My Heart "[4]
• http://knowbetter.com/forum/
• http://www.flatmtn.com/computer/eBookman.html
• http://www.brighthand.com/article/Franklin_eBookMan
• http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ebookman
• http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eBookMan/message/1848 (DEMO warning)
• http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eBookMan-SDK-Discussion
• http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?query=franklin+ebookman

compare to RCA

REB1100, 5x7", 1.1 pound, 320x480 screen, 108 dpi, 15-35 hours, 8MB + SmartMedia

see also

HandEra, SonyClie, HandSpring

http://www.iapplianceweb.com/appArchive/IAW_PDAS

http://www.iapplianceweb.com/appDirectory/IAW_PDAS

http://www.iapplianceweb.com/appTable/IAW_PDAS