Franklin DBE-1450 Spanish/English Dictionary downloadable content capability

Online review by Amazon customer, powered by Amazon.com

great little item, March 9, 2003
Reviewer: An electronics fan from USA
Though there are some small flaws, this is a great electronic spanish-english dictionary. it makes it MUCH easier to read a foreign newspaper, or any other instance when you'd need to look up words a lot faster than the awkward, slow process of using a book dictionary.

Others reviewing this product have said that more advanced speakers should "stick to the book dictionary..." I don't know about that. Only if they're so advanced that they need big, full, dictionary entries explaining every last subtlety! in that case I don't think they would be looking for a pocket dictionary. Basically: if your spanish ability is such that you still find yourself needing to find the word for something, or finding out what a spanish word means -- go for this one. it's good.

strengths:
-- handles the task well -- the interface makes it quick to type in a word and get its meaning, no wasted time dealing with bad menus or anything
-- physical design is good -- they were really smart and made the top cover of the thing have a double hinge so it can fold around the back, very convenient.
-- has some nice built-in games and grammar guides and data/calculator/clock/audio-book functions, none of which I've used much (the games aren't that good. I really wish they had created a built-in flashcards function, so it would just quiz you on definitions that you had pre-selected... they have a "spelling" game which maybe could be used for that function... i don't know.)
-- puts itself to sleep to save batteries-- cool.
-- good size/weight/general convenience. i've used it much.

weaknesses:
--keyboard is OK but could be better... buttons are a bit spongy and don't click in any nice way.
-- would be nice if it was SUPER rapid in its response... but need to wait maybe half a second sometimes for response.

Franklin DBE-1440 Pocket Spanish/English Dictionary

Amazon.com Product Description
Students, travelers, and anyone who needs to use Spanish in ordinary circumstances will appreciate the Franklin DBE-1440 Pocket Spanish Master with a Larousse Dictionary for easy and instant word translations. As a dictionary, this exceedingly compact and extensive guide includes 2 million translations with advanced verb conjugation to help improve your Spanish vocabulary and spelling through Franklin's LEARNables. As a traveler's aide-de-camp, the grammar guide and foreign language phrases make the DBE-1440 an essential tool for nonfluent Spanish speakers.
Haven't mastered your language tapes yet? You may discover that the DBE-1440 is your newest travel necessity. With the grammar guide and a variety of useful traveler's phrases and cultural notes, you can translate words instantly to negotiate menus, shopping, and navigation. Or you can plan ahead and use the grammar guide to learn parts of speech and verb tenses, conjugating verbs at the press of a button.

Whether Spanish is your first or second language, the DBE-1440 is perfect for those who want to explore and immerse themselves in the lexicon. You can create your own list of words to study, or select a word and instantaneously find its translation. The DBE-1440 also contains Spanish culture notes for reference, and its five-line display improves readability.

As with all the Franklin handheld dictionaries, the DBE-1440 Pocket Spanish Master allows you to learn a new word in Spanish every time you turn the device on, find a word you don't know how to spell, and enjoy the process of learning Spanish through crossword puzzles or seven other language games. Whether you're in school, a student of foreign language, or traveling the world, this dictionary is the perfect companion.

Product Description
Over 2,000,000 translations on a 5-line display with 100% more viewable text; expandable BOOKMAN advanced verb conjugation, grammer guide, TOEFL, plus over 1,000 travelers' phrases.