Franklin Electronic Publishers and Digital Publishing in Global Alliance
BURLINGTON, N.J., and MUNICH, Germany, April 19: Franklin Electronic Publishers, Incorporated (AMEX:FEP), of Burlington, New Jersey, a worldwide leader in handheld electronic information, and digital publishing, a privately held firm headquartered in Munich, Germany and a worldwide leader in language learning software, today announced an alliance to bring digital publishing's award winning language learning series to a new line of Franklin electronic handheld products.
digital publishing is Europe's leading producer of interactive multimedia language learning software with over four million users worldwide. The companies have agreed to partner to add portability and ease of use to proven interactive language learning techniques via a new generation of cutting edge handhelds.
Franklin expects to release the first in its MG series language learning platforms this fall. Franklin, a pioneer in the handheld world, has pulled out all of the stops in the development of this latest line of handheld devices by improving the user's viewing experience with a new 2.5 inch TFT color display, providing both audio and MP-3 playback, allowing for SD memory card expansion and USB PC connectivity, and by including TV output to allow the user to view the dp English language learning course on the screen of any standard television set, all at a suggested retail price under $250.
"While the thirst for knowledge of languages is extensive, there are nearly as many people learning English today as already speak it. In China alone there are 300,000,000 people studying English, which approximates the entire US population" said Barry J. Lipsky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Franklin. "Our partnership with digital publishing is an important step in our commitment to move from language learning aids like dictionaries to full language learning solutions. They already have a proven interactive architecture that meets this objective on a PC screen. Now it's about learning any place, anywhere, at any time and through this partnership Franklin can now fulfill that vision."
"digital publishing is pleased to assist Franklin in creating their new MG series language learning platform based on the same technology and content that powers Europe's leading range of language learning software," said Jorg Koberling, Chief Executive Officer of digital publishing. "This partnership is another significant stride in our mission to provide language training at any time on every mobile device to students worldwide."
The new line of Franklin handheld language learning devices for learners of English as a Foreign Language is intended to be distributed worldwide to native speakers of European and Asian languages and for learners of English as a Second Language to native speakers of Spanish.
The financial terms of their agreement have not been disclosed.
About digital publishing
digital publishing is a world leader in interactive language training software and tutoring services. Founded in 1994, the company is a pioneer in computer-based language training. digital publishing provides award winning language learning software and training services that help to improve the communication skills of private and corporate customers worldwide. With more than 4 million students, the digital publishing solutions are among the world's most used educational software. Today the company is one of the most successful and fastest growing providers of technology enhanced learning solutions in the industry. The digital publishing learning software has been awarded numerous prizes -- among others the coveted Worlddidac Award 2006. digital publishing products and services are available in more than 60 countries and online at www.clt-net.com.
About Franklin
Franklin Electronic Publishers Incorporated (AMEX:FEP) is a world leader in electronic handheld information, having sold more than 38,000,000 electronic books since 1986. Current titles available directly or through partners number more than 40,000 in sixteen languages under license from world class publishers, such as Merriam-Webster and HarperCollins, focused in five genres: Learning, Language Learning, Travel, Spiritual, and Leisure. The Company also licenses its underlying technology to an array of partners including Adobe, Sun Microsystems and Ademco (a division of Honeywell). Franklin distributes ROLODEX® Electronics branded organizers worldwide and SEIKO branded reference products in North and South America, Australia and the European Community. Franklin's products are available at 43,000 retail outlets worldwide, through catalogs, and online at http://www.franklin.com/.
Source: Franklin Electronic Publishers, Incorporated
CONTACT: Robin Kelman Garfield Group Public Relations, +1-215-867-8600 ext. 244, rkelman@garfieldgroup.com Franklin Electronic Publishers, Incorporated; Kirsten Warweg digital publishing, Public Relations,
+49-89-74748 ext. 238, k.warweg@digitalpublishing.de
Web site: http://www.franklin.com/
http://www.clt-net.com/
