Audiobooks discussion
Technical stuff
>
Has anyone else listened to books on Amazon Echo?
Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "A recent update to Amazon Echo allows it to read the books in your Audible Library. I love that feature! I can tell Alexa (the call name for Echo) to play a book and listen while I do other thi..."
Yes, love it! Yesterday I had Alexa read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
I have found whispersync with the Echo, my phone, and theFire HDX to be flawless.
I'm considering getting an Echo to put in my kitchen for listening to audiobooks I have purchased from Audible. I'm assuming that it reads them from the cloud and will keep track of where you are when you stop and start. But I was wondering if it will go back (15 seconds/last chapter start) if you tell it to in case you missed something and want to hear it again?
Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "A recent update to Amazon Echo allows it to read the books in your Audible Library. I love that feature! I can tell Alexa (the call name for Echo) to play a book and listen while I do other thing..."
Theresa I haven't heard of this. I there any advantage over listening on phone on speaker mode? I usually leave my phone on kitchen table and work away. Is this an MP3/4 player?
Margo - here is the Amazon link explaining what it is. It's not really a "player" but rather a wifi device that connects to the cloud and has bluetooth capability. It's a little hard to describe all it does so check out the link.http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-SK705DI-...
I use it when I'm in my office, and I do enjoy it. I've requested with Amazon that they look into also playing Overdrive books as well... since I borrow a lot of books. Right now, the Echo only plays books from Audible.com.
Theresa, this sounds great. I'll look into it. I don't have speakers in the kitchen so it would be ideal. Thanks for the tip.
Thanks Crystal - does it keep track of where you are when you stop and start. And can you ask it to go back (15 seconds/last chapter start) if needed in case you missed something and want to hear it again?
It does play from the cloud... and it plays books from Audible.com... although my hope is that they will also consider Overdrive audiobooks as well. It will go back via voice command but there's also an app for your phone that has functions and it comes with a remote that will rewind, fast forward, pause etc. Since it's on the cloud, it will sync with other devices that you listen with. Hope that helps. :-)
I know you saw this on the other thread Jan, but thought I'd post here as well in case someone else was wondering.
Jan wrote: "Margo - here is the Amazon link explaining what it is. It's not really a "player" but rather a wifi device that connects to the cloud and has bluetooth capability. It's a little hard to describe al..."Thanks Jan. There doesn't seem to be an equivalent product from amazon.co.uk at the moment. But give it time...
Margo - I keep forgetting you are in the UK. Yes, it is a US product. But you are right...I'm sure it won't be long.
Jan wrote: "Margo - I keep forgetting you are in the UK. Yes, it is a US product. But you are right...I'm sure it won't be long."LOL Jan the greatest insult you can an Irish person is to acuse them of English! I live in ireland, amazon don't have an irish site though so we use the uk one. I'll forgive you tho - my husband is english and I was living in uk when I met him
So sorry Margo!!! Foot in mouth syndrome is one of my many faults :)
It's ok - I'm still your friend <3 i suppose to you in the USA it's all European anyway. Our countries are the size your states ;D
I find the sound on Echo superior to that of my mp3 and iPhone using earbuds or speaker. The Whispersync works with my Echo, iPhone, and Kindle Fire. As mentioned, Echo will go back on voice command, or I can rewind to a specific place using the app. I would like to be able to use Echo with Overdrive, too!
I love using the Echo for my Audible books. It's so easy to use. A simple voice command and the book plays.I've also requested that they add OverDrive. Sometimes I'll use the Echo in Bluetooth mode to listen to OverDrive books from my phone or tablet.
The greatest thing about the Echo is that it's just sitting there waiting for a command to do something. No need to drag out another gadget.
tubemonkey wrote: "Sometimes I'll use the Echo in Bluetooth mode to listen to OverDrive books from my phone or tablet...."
How do you do this?
❆ Crystal ❆ wrote: 'How do you do this?"Have you ever used a Bluetooth speaker with your phone or tablet?
Besides being a computer, the Echo is also a fully functional Bluetooth speaker; and the sound is very good.
From your phone or tablet, go to:
settings --> Bluetooth --> turn it on --> let it search for your Echo --> then pair it --> then let it connect --> Alexa will say "connected to Bluetooth" --> you're good to go.
At this point, the Echo is just a speaker. You'll control all of the action with your phone or tablet just like you would with earbuds or speakers plugged in.
The Echo will allow you some basic controls while it's functioning as a speaker -- volume, pause, start, stop. Don't know if it'll allow rewind or forward. Never tried that.
Good luck, tm
tubemonkey wrote: "❆ Crystal ❆ wrote: 'How do you do this?"Have you ever used a Bluetooth speaker with your phone or tablet?
Besides being a computer, the Echo is also a fully functional Bluetooth speaker; and the..."
****** CLAPPING HANDS ********
****** DANICING AROUND ********
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! This is ssssssooooo great. I just tried an overdrive book with the Echo and it WORKED!
**** HUGS****
I never listened to an audio book until I bought an Echo during the thanksgiving sale. I've been listening to my first book and I love the sound quality. The experience is a little strange for me though. I'll have to get used to being read to.
Amazon just added a new feature that'll allow Alexa to read Kindle books to you. Not all Kindle books are supported. See link for details.Read Kindle Books with Alexa
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...
Listening to eBooks from your Kindle library is easy, just ask:
"Alexa, read my Kindle book."
"Alexa, read [Kindle book title]."
"Alexa, skip back."
"Alexa, pause."
To learn more, go to Read Kindle Books with Alexa.
tubemonkey wrote: "Amazon just added a new feature that'll allow Alexa to read Kindle books to you. ..."Sadly, the narration on text-to-speech is like listening to a robot. I'd rather read my Kindle myself or get a well-made audiobook for Alexa to read to me.
I got an Amazon Echo today and, so far at least, like it. The bulk of my (many) audiobooks are MP3 files, which I created by ripping my audiobook CDs to disk. I have heretofore listened to them on my iPhone 6 Plus with iBooks. Alas, Echo can't handle iBooks with the aplomb it has when it is used with Audible. Still, I have been able to listen to an iBook audiobook on my iPhone connected to the Echo via Bluetooth. iBooks will respond to "Alexa pause" and Alexa resume" commands.
I understand that there is a way to play the audiobooks I have synced to my iPhone with iTunes in the Audible app but haven't had a chance yet to explore that option.
Gwsat wrote: "I got an Amazon Echo today and, so far at least, like it. The bulk of my (many) audiobooks are MP3 files, which I created by ripping my audiobook CDs to disk. I have heretofore listened to them on ..."I don't have Echo so no idea whether it would work, but you might see whether Echo supports the Bookmobile app (costs just a few dollars); I use my iPhone to listen to many books ripped from CDs and I like Bookmobile much better than iBooks. Most of the time, I create M4B files, but Bookmobile supports MP3s too; it allows a range of speed adjustment and (unlike iBooks!), also allows bookmarking.
The books synced to your phone via iTunes should be visible in the Audible App by clicking on the iTunes tab at the top of the "My LIbrary" screen, but Audible App speed adjustment won't work on the iTunes books. Also, the one time I tried listening to an MP3 book on the iTunes tab, the files played out of order even though I was sure they were named sequentially; someone here could probably figure out what caused that, but I'd rather use Bookmobile for those books anyway.
The Echo only supports limited versions of the following apps:Amazon Music, Prime Music, Spotify Premium, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn Radio, Audible, Kindle Books (TTS).
I use My Echo all the time to listen to books...
Sorry if this got answered already, but - everyone keeps saying that they have Alexa read to them. So... it's the device's voice instead of the narrator? Or did I just wildly misunderstand?
Tracey wrote: "Sorry if this got answered already, but - everyone keeps saying that they have Alexa read to them. So... it's the device's voice instead of the narrator? Or did I just wildly misunderstand?"Alexa is the voice of the Echo. She's like Siri on the Apple devices. You can ask Alexa to read an audible book. Then she will fetch the book but she doesn't read it to you. You hear the narrator from the audiobook.
Tracey wrote: "Sorry if this got answered already, but - everyone keeps saying that they have Alexa read to them. So... it's the device's voice instead of the narrator? Or did I just wildly misunderstand?"The Echo uses Alexa's voice to read books from your Kindle library. I tried and didn't like it. It's a feature I won't be using.
The Echo will read your audiobooks using the narrator's voice just as if you played it on you tablet or computer.....Echo will also "read" your books to book using the text-to-speech setting on your Kindle...that will be Alexa's voice "reading" the story to you...
Tracey wrote: "Got it! Thanks!"welcome :)
For long time Kindle users, how does the Echo's text to speech compare to the old Kindle 2 or Kindle Keyboard's text to speech? Better? Worse? For what it's worth, I found the Kindle 2 text to speech good for non-fiction - newspapers, especially. It sounded a bit like listening to dry NPR.
I dunno why I'm bothering to ask, though... I already have a wireless speaker setup, and I doubt the Echo is compatible.
Does it even have a line-out jack so it can feed another speaker system?
Melanti wrote: "For long time Kindle users, how does the Echo's text to speech compare to the old Kindle 2 or Kindle Keyboard's text to speech? Better? Worse? For what it's worth, I found the Kindle 2 text to sp..."
You can only connect to the echo by wifi or bluetooth. There are no jacks.
Faith wrote: "You can only connect to the echo by wifi or bluetooth. There are no jacks. ..."Well, boo. That means I can't use it to feed Audible books to my existing speaker system. That would have been the only reason I might have bought it.
The last software update for my speakers broke the Audible compatibility. I've been having to hook up my phone or laptop up to its line-in, which obviously isn't an ideal solution.
Wonder if Amazon will ever add a line-out jack? It seems kind of silly to limit it to just a single speaker when you're talking about streaming music and audiobooks.
Melanti wrote: "Wonder if Amazon will ever add a line-out jack? It seems kind of silly to limit it to just a single speaker when you're talking about streaming music and audiobooks. "I know other Bluetooth speakers are capable of combining. Perhaps Amazon will add this functionality to the Echo in the future. I honestly don't see the need for a line-out jack, since the whole purpose of the Echo is to be wireless.
Melanti wrote: "Faith wrote: "You can only connect to the echo by wifi or bluetooth. There are no jacks. ..."Well, boo. That means I can't use it to feed Audible books to my existing speaker system. That would h..."
The sound quality is quite good on the echo. I wouldn't want to hook it to other speakers. I like being able to tell it to play Mozart or the Beatles or tell me the weather or the news, all from across the room.
Natalie wrote: "I honestly don't see the need for a line-out jack, since the whole purpose of the Echo is to be wireless. .."Faith wrote: "I like being able to tell it to play Mozart or the Beatles or tell me the weather or the news, all from across the room. ..."
Just saying that a line-out port would be an easy way to make it backwards comparable with existing sound systems.
I like the amazon connectivity, home automation and voice control aspects of the Echo, but if I can't integrate it into my existing wireless speakers, it's not as useful to me.
Only having one speaker isn't a big deal if you're just asking the weather, but if you're listening to music or an audiobook, or something similar, it'd be confined to just one room and I've gotten used to being able to wander around my house listening to music.
Ah well.. Guess I'll just have to wait for my current speakers to release their Audible update and cross my fingers that they do some voice controls and/or home automation eventually.
Amazon has added to the echo line up... There's now the Tap, which is a portable, battery powered version, and the Dot - which has no built in speakers but connects to an existing sound system - either via bluetooth or via a line-out cable.
The Dot is exactly what I was hoping for! I love it! http://smile.amazon.com/b/?node=14047...
BUT -- you can only order one if you already have another Amazon Echo. I am sooo disappointed! I hope they open this up to everyone soon!
The Dot does have a speaker, although my guess is that it's not a very good one. Amazon says quantities are limited and once it sells out there won't be any more. May or not be true. Also, you can only order from an Echo, not from the website.
Im not sure I see the need for it. If I want to listen to something in another room I just take Alexa with me. Am I missing something about this DOT?
No I don't think you are missing anything. I didn't want to carry my Echo around and this is cheaper than an Echo, so I ordered one for another room.ETA. Some people wanted the option to plug the Echo into their stereo systems. With the Dot you can do that.
Julie wrote: "Im not sure I see the need for it. If I want to listen to something in another room I just take Alexa with me. Am I missing something about this DOT?"The Dot isn't meant as a stand-alone device. It's meant to connect to an existing sound system which may be of a higher audio quality than the speakers on the traditional Echo. So, if someone has already invested a lot of money into getting good quality speakers to listen to music on, they'll still be able to use them.
How I'd use a Dot would be to plug it into my existing stereo system which is already set up with speakers throughout my house. I can leave it plugged into the speakers in the living room, and, for instance, if I need to run upstairs and get something, or if I go back and forth between the kitchen and the living room while cooking dinner, etc, I'll be able to listen no matter where in the house I am.
It also looks like it could function as a Bluetooth bridge between my laptop and my speaker system - which is something I've been thinking about getting anyway... So that way, if I'm watching something online, I can listen to the audio over the speakers without having to bother with the physical audio cable.
Granted - my speakers already have most of the audio options other than Audible already built into it, so what I'd really be paying for would be the voice control features, the text to speech and audible capabilities.
Now, with the portable battery powered one - that one would be good for taking it out into the back yard or other places where you might not have a handy power outlet to plug a traditional echo into.
I just ordered a Dot for my family room/kitchen. although its speaker is apparently pretty small it will work for me. I can also use it to set timers for cooking. Don't yet know whether the Dot will have any utility with my AV receiver, a Yamaha RX-V3900, but will check it out when the Dot arrives. The Dots will not be shipping until 3/31.
Melanti wrote: "Julie wrote: "Im not sure I see the need for it. If I want to listen to something in another room I just take Alexa with me. Am I missing something about this DOT?"The Dot isn't meant as a stand-..."
WOW ok now I get it...thank you....I may order one...
I just saw a review that showed the Tap (portable battery powered one) does not have an always on microphone, since that would kill the battery life. You have to tap a button on the top to get it to listen to you. Guess that explains the name.
I listen to my Audible books on Echo every once in a while. I didn't know you could listen to Kindle books on it....I will have to try that, however, the text-to-speech voice leaves a lot to be desired. I was listening to Tesser: A Dragon Among Us on Echo last night while I was making dinner and it was slightly problematic. One of the characters is "Alexis". Hahahaha
Alexa found this confusing!! When the word was spoken there would often follow a pause while Alexa waited for a command. Interesting, nothing was ever said following the name "Alexis" which direct Alexa to a different duty.
Lori wrote: "I was listening to Tesser: A Dragon Among Us on Echo last night while I was making dinner and it was slightly problematic. One of the characters is "Alexis". Hahahaha Alexa found this confusing!! When the word was spoken there would often follow a pause while Alexa waited for a command. Interesting, nothing was ever said following the name "Alexis" which direct Alexa to a different duty. "
That's just too funny Lori!
I'm still waffling about the Echo...not sure if it does enough to justify the price yet.
Jan wrote: "Lori wrote: "I was listening to Tesser: A Dragon Among Us on Echo last night while I was making dinner and it was slightly problematic. One of the characters is "Alexis". Hahahaha Alexa found thi..."
I use my Echo everyday...I dunno how I loved without it so long....Love it...but I did get it at the $99.00 price when it first came out to Prime Members
LOL Lori....This morning I got up at 4 am due to Alec Baldwin commercial asking Alexa for the news on the TV....scared the beejeezers outta me...
I would pay $99 for it but $180 just seems like a lot.
Audiobooks
Books mentioned in this topic
Tesser: A Dragon Among Us (other topics)I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (other topics)
Les Misérables (other topics)
I can tell Alexa (the call name for Echo) to play a book and listen while I do other things at home. If I've been reading a book on an Audible app (iPhone, Kindle Fire, Kindle, iPad, etc.), it picks up where I'd left off. The sound is much better than on earbuds, too.
This morning Alexa is reading the newest audiobook of Les Misérables, read by Bill Homewood, while I fix breakfast, do a few chores, check e-mail, etc. on my computer, and do some cross stitch.