Best Buy, CompUSA, J&R and Electronic Boutique Now Carry Popular eBookMan Multimedia Device
BURLINGTON, N.J., April 30 -- Franklin Electronic Publishers,
Inc. (NYSE: FEP), the leading worldwide provider of handheld eBooks, today
announced that many of the nation`s largest electronics retailers are now
stocking its award-winning eBookMan line. CompUSA, Best Buy, J&R Electronics
and Electronic Boutique join Staples and Amazon.com in offering the multi-
purpose eBookMan and supporting the growing demand for e-book devices.
"We are pleased that more retailers are selling eBookMan. This product
offers a feature-set and price point that will appeal to new users who demand
value and versatility in the growing handheld market," said Bob Garthwaite,
vice president of worldwide sales and marketing for Franklin Electronic
Publishers. "The enthusiastic channel support clearly demonstrates eBookMan`s
position as a leading e-book reader."
Franklin will also be launching a national advertising campaign that
coincides with the expanded availability of eBookMan. The comprehensive
campaign includes print and radio advertising, billboards and bus ads.
eBookMan is available in three models -- EBM-900 (8MB), EBM-901 (8MB with
backlit display) and EBM-911 (16MB with backlit display) -- and offers a suite
of features never before combined in a handheld electronics device. All three
models include a Franklin eBook Reader, an audio book player, an MP3
compatible music player, address book, date book, to-do book, and memo book,
all using natural handwriting recognition. eBookMan features a large 240x200
pixel LCD that displays 87% more information than today`s most popular
handhelds. Users can adjust the font size or switch the display to landscape
mode for easy reading. Available for $129.95, $179.95 and $229.95
respectively, each eBookMan model is equipped with a USB port for connection
to a PC (optional serial connection also available) and features optional
memory expansion through industry standard MultiMediaCards (MMC).
Unlike other handheld electronic devices, eBookMan`s operating system can
easily accommodate new features and upgrades, such as language support,
through software downloads directly from the Internet. The new international
editions offer a localized user experience, including the availability of
select digital books in French and German languages.
eBookMan is now available in Australia, the Benelux countries, Canada,
Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico,
Pakistan, Panama, Singapore, Thailand and the United Kingdom.
About Franklin
Franklin Electronic Publishers, Inc. (NYSE: FEP), the worldwide market
leader in handheld electronic books, began shipping its new multimedia eBook
platform, eBookMan, earlier this year. Franklin has sold more than 24,000,000
electronic books and currently publishes more than 200 titles, including
dictionaries and bilingual dictionaries; encyclopedias; Bibles; entertainment
titles; education and tutorial publications; and medical reference works. The
Company is also the exclusive producer and distributor of ROLODEX(R)
Electronics brand of personal information management products. Franklin
products, available in 16 languages, are sold in 45,000 retail outlets
worldwide, through catalogs and online at http://www.franklin.com. The
Company has sales and distribution subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, France,
Germany, the Benelux countries, Canada, Australia and Mexico, and production
management offices in Tokyo and Hong Kong.
ROLODEX(R) is a registered trademark of Berol Corporation, a subsidiary of
Newell Rubbermaid Inc.
Microsoft and Outlook are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters
discussed throughout this release, including, but not limited to, those that
are stated as Franklin`s belief or expectation or preceded by the word
"should" are forward looking statements that involve risks to and
uncertainties in Franklin`s business, including, among other things, the
timely availability and acceptance of new electronic books and organizers,
changes in technology, the impact of competitive electronic products, the
management of inventories, Franklin`s dependence on third party component
suppliers and manufacturers, including those that provide Franklin-specific
parts, and other risks and uncertainties that may be detailed from time to
time in Franklin`s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT:
Jennifer Cheek, Senior Account Executive
e21corp
510-226-6780, ext. 111
jennifer_cheek@e21corp.com
or
Chris Strano, Director of Marketing
Franklin Electronic Publishers
609-386-2500, ext. 6110
Back...
