Franklin eBookMan
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The Franklin eBookMan is a handheld device specifically made to read ebooks, but it also has standard PDA functions, it plays audiobooks and other audio, and it can record sounds. It has a black on green touchscreen (some models have backlight), 8 or 16 MB memory, and uses its own propriety operating system. Its handwriting recognition accepts nearly natural handwriting. Early eBookMan units lost all information stored on them when the batteries were changed. Franklin acknowledged the problem, and replaced all defective units at no charge. The DRM is tied directly to the hardware.
Although research and development on the eBookMan ceased in 2002, new eBookMans are still being sold and there is an active user base. Some users have written some very good programs for the eBookMan. For instance a WikiWiki program for the eBookMan, EBM-Wiki (http://www.dogmelon.com.au/products_ebm_freewiki.shtml), is freely available.