Why the eBookman Release Was Delayed

While the reasons behind the delay have differed, the conclusion is the same: Franklin's eBookman device will not be released at Thanksgiving as planned.

CNET reported last Friday that the shipping would not occur on the date annnounced due to delays in getting the related web site ready. The article went on to say that the devices were ready ship.

Monday's Publisher's Lunch newsletter reports differently, quoting a Franklin spokesperson as saying that the delay was due to "a couple of software glitches," and because "the consumer experience wasn't going to be quite what we would like it to be." A Franklin spokesperson told Publisher's Lunch that there is now a plan for a soft launch before Christmas.

The original announcement by Franklin in June this year included the news that the first eBookmans would come with Microsoft Reader, however since then delays have occurred with its integration. The full scale date for release is not clear nor is it clear whether it will include Microsoft Reader.

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