Audiobooks discussion
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What do you use to listen to audiobooks?
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Mara
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May 02, 2017 05:53PM
Overdrive, Hoopla, Axis 360, and OneClick Digital apps.
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I can't remember if I ever answered this. I use the Audible and Smart Audiobook apps on my smartphone (Galaxy S7). I use Bluetooth headphones with it, either my cheaper Kinivo headphones or my new Sony noise canceling headphones. I rarely listen through speakers because I would be disturbing my husband and kids (and sometimes my kids shouldn't hear the content!).
I use Voice Audiobook Player on Android. The interface is minimal and very intuitive, the bookmark function works well, there's no need to mess around with metadata and it's free and ad-free.The only downside is that the standard version of the app limits the playback speed to 2.5.
If you prefer a higher speed, like I do, you can download a fork of the apk that limits the speed to 6.0 by following this link:
https://github.com/BrandonOCasey/Voic...
I use my iPhone 6s Plus phone to download books from Audible, and the libraries I am affiliated with.
I usually use the audible app in my phone or iPad. I recently started listening on my son's kindle. I think the sound quality is better, but I miss getting to see how many hours I've listened, which I get with the app.
I use my Treks Titanium bone conductive headphone and my cell phone. I have used Alexa and the echo dot. I had to change her name due to ads using her name. Then I tried to list to zombie novel that had an echo term and it kept setting off the dot and interrupting the audio book. They really need to let you pick something more unusual for the dot. Speaking about annoying Bixby on my phone interups when I use the phrase Hi baby.
I use my phone in the car or with Bose soundsport Bluetooth headphones. At least I did use the headphones, before my dog chewed them up. Thankfully I have square trade accident protection so I should be getting some new headphones soon.
I was given a new Sansa Sport(?) with bluetooth earbuds. Great idea but the bluetooth buds battery doesn't last long. I've gone back to my trusty Clip+ and wired bud (I cut one off). Aux that when in the car. So far nothing beats this for me, and it works so well I'm not trying to find better.
95% of the time I use the CD/DVD player in my computer to listen to audio books. On rare occasion I use the service provided free from my local library; it think they're currently using Hoopla.
My Bose would last several hours before the dog chewed. For me that was 2-3 days on work days bc I really only use them when walking or in the evening. On weekends I often have to charge them daily.
Erik wrote: "I use Voice Audiobook Player on Android. The interface is minimal and very intuitive, the bookmark function works well, there's no need to mess around with metadata and it's free and ad-free.The ..."
Thanks Erik - very helpful.
I use the audible, hoopla, and overdrive apps on my phone to listen a lot, but I've been considering getting a new mp3 player for 2 reasons. 1. I keep reading new articles about the dangers of "wearing" your phone often.
2. I'm really sick of being so connected. I have about 5-6 hours each week that I'm home alone and can run errands, catch up on house stuff, etc. It would be great to step away from all the other notifications during that time and *just* have the book.
Any recommendations or other ideas?
Joy wrote: "My Bose would last several hours before the dog chewed. For me that was 2-3 days on work days bc I really only use them when walking or in the evening. On weekends I often have to charge them daily."I’ll be able to give updated stats soon bc my replacement should be here today. Thank you, Square Trade.
I have been using Itunes and a Ipod. It's because my scion has a plug in for my Ipod that is kind of cool. I used the 6th generation nano with clip, a 5th generation nano for my wife, as well as the classic for home. However every generation past about Nano Generation 5 does not work with the Scion plug in. Even the 6th Generation needs an adapter to get all the neat stuff to show up on the radio display.Thing is, apple doesn't make the nanos anymore. Buying them used on ebay is pricey. Plus Itunes is awful now.
When I am fully retired, I am going to move away from apple's itunes to another media management system. I may keep itunes just for audio books till my IPODS die. Right now the little square nano clips are great for walking trails as well as plugging into my car sound system.
I also use the square iPod nano because of its small size. I think the price on eBay of $50-60 is very reasonable for the amount of pleasure I get from it. (probably you could buy them cheaper if you know anyone who no longer uses theirs because they only use their phone now.) If it ever happens that technology changes and I can no longer download to it, it will be a pain. (On the other hand I felt the same about cassettes and now I certainly don't miss them.)
I use this!https://www.amazon.in/Transcend-Digit...
It has MP3, FM, Voice Recorder and it doubles down as a Pendrive and you don't require a charger for it, just plugin to a USB slot and it starts charging and you can load files into it too!
Robin wrote: "I also use the square iPod nano because of its small size. I think the price on eBay of $50-60 is very reasonable for the amount of pleasure I get from it. (probably you could buy them cheaper if y..."Robin because apple stopped making the nano, they sell at a premium now. My backup was over $100 used. Apple now only sells the IPOD touch and that's about the size of a cell phone.
Bill (Just a) wrote: "Robin wrote: "I also use the square iPod nano because of its small size. I think the price on eBay of $50-60 is very reasonable for the amount of pleasure I get from it. (probably you could buy the..."I should have bought more last year! I do own 2 now, so I hope that will do, since in the past I have drowned one & run over one with my car!
Robin wrote: "I should have bought more last year! ..."Mine was a bit more because I wanted the 16G instead of the 8G. I carry music on mine as well as books.
Does anyone else use Jaybirds wireless or know how they compare to Bose wireless? My Jaybirds seem to have a 1 year lifespan at best 😕 but I do love them when they work well!
Bill (Just a) wrote: "Robin wrote: "I should have bought more last year! ..."Mine was a bit more because I wanted the 16G instead of the 8G. I carry music on mine as well as books."
Out of curiosity, I checked and 6th gen iPods like mine are still available in the $50-60 range on eBay, maybe less if you have the patience to bid on multiple items.
Amazon used to have a discussion board for audiobook lovers and I am trying to link back to those on that board. I am a long-time user of Sansa Clip+ and have stockpiled a number since they are now discontinued. However, my HP PC (new in 2017), dedicated just to audiobooks, is no longer recognizing any of my Sansa Clips. Others have reported similar problems with PCs using Windows 10. Does anyone have any solutions to this? Is it possible to roll back to earlier Windows versions that did recognize Sansa Clips? If I will no longer be able to use my Sansa Clips, what suggestions do people have for comparable mp3 players? Sansa Clips were perfect because they held lots of books and are tiny (they fit in a pocket). I can listen on my iPhone but it's big and clunky for audiobooks. I never found iPods as useful, though admit I haven't tried an iPod Nano. And they, too, have been discontinued though are a bit more available than Sansa Clips? What do people use for small and portable audiobook devices? Are any of the other Sansa devices reasonable substitutes for the Clip? And do those devices have the same recognition problem by Windows 10? (The device when plugged in via USB port says it is connected but Windows Media Player and the computer itself don't recognize it as being connected.) Many thanks.
Usually use computer, VLC media player and speakers regardless of audio format or source but sometimes use tablet, usually fire, and comfortably cushioned headphones.
I have an HP Pavilion running Windows 10. Recognized my Sansa Clip+ just now as usual, WMP as well.
Just found out today that they (finally) resolved the issues between Audible and Sonos, so you can now listen to Audible straight from the speakers! Yay! Unfortunately, no Alexa integration yet. Pause/resume works but nothing else seems to.
I am listening on my iphone 5. I pretty much only listen to books from the library, so with the Overdrive app, it's not difficult at all to download a book and listen to it. I have graduated to bluetooth headphones! As long as you are somewhere with wi-fi, all works well. So I have an iphone 6 (my daughter gifted me when she upgraded) with my phone service and an iphone 5 that has no phone service - used for books only They are old phones and I had to purchase a battery for the iphone 6 from the Apple store, but I really didn't want to have the expense of a newer phone. There's always a way!
Mostly I use my Kindle. If it's an audiobook I use my DVD player. I can also listen on my laptop or PC. Used to transfer to a MP3 but not any more.
I used an MP3 for so many years. Same for me - not necessary anymore.
But don't you ever listen out of your house, for instance while walking or shopping for groceries? (I do both of those.) I think even a phone is too bulky, that's why I use the tiny iPod. I'm sure someday I'll have to move on to some other device. Even at home, I might be going from room to room and it's easier to have it on me than using a computer or other device that's in one place.
I mostly listen from my iphone and have LG bluetooth headphones that I wear basically daily. I still have a pair of wired headphones I got years and years ago that fit me well so if my headphone battery dies, I can switch over. This is my normal work/grocery shopping walking mode.In the car I either use the bluetooth with one ear on or I use a tape adapter for my stereo since I drive an ancient old van with a tape player. And frankly, this works really well as I don't suffer the interference with the FM transmitter. I will absolutely be moving to either aux plug or bluetooth when I buy a new-to-me car this summer.
At night when I am falling asleep I use the wired sleep headphones, which are basically a headband with little speakers in them. I don't like the feeling of something in my ear while I am sleeping. I need to look into the bluetooth ones because I swear one day I will strangle myself in the night with the cord...
Does anyone else use special or adapted headphones? I know someone who is able to listen to audio books thanks to a new bluetooth system for those with hearing loss. I have to have them not in or against my ear so mine are either the big studio headphones I've had for years or smaller ones that have thick foam sponge layer added. What other special equipment or adaptions are allowing people to listen?
LJ, you could try some of the sports mini headphones. Somewhere you can steer some slightly into the ear. I personally like the JVC sports headphones and usually buy them on Amazon now.I currently use my Echo and Fire for audiobooks at home but my ipod nano away from home (bought a second one since they were being discontinued). You can buy a case that clips in a lanyard or one that just clips to clothing. I will be getting a hearing aid later this year and will have to look into the bluetooth option.
I know 2 people who have the bluetooth but only one of them listens to audio books. She says it's great. She can even listen in car along with children now. Wireless microphone clips to lapel or can be placed several feet away from you in center of dining table or near speakers when listening with others.I listen to my Fire using lightweight Sony headphones with foam ear pad covers. They make, or made, washable fabric covers to cover the foam. Also vinyl covers but those I never tried.
Hi All:I’m looking at the Kindle Fire 7 for exclusive use for audio books.
I would like to access my Audible library and also Overdrive audio books.
Is the 8gb enough? Or should I go for 16?
I have bluetooth headphones, so will they link? Does it also have a headphone input?
How many audio books will fit on the device?
Thanks for any feedback. Would love to hear of your experiences.
Wendy wrote: "Hi All:I’m looking at the Kindle Fire 7 for exclusive use for audio books.
I would like to access my Audible library and also Overdrive audio books.
Is the 8gb enough? Or should I go for 16?..."
If you can wait for Thanksgiving the 16gb will probably be on sale for about the regular price of the 8gb. There's also a micro SD slot. I have an 8gb and have had no problems.
How many audio books will fit on the device?
You won't be keeping the Overdrive books permanently and don't have to keep the Audible books on the device forever, they can go to the cloud. I've had up to 10 Overdrive books, 1-3 kindle unlimited book/audio combos along with audio books I keep on the tablet instead of having them reside in the cloud all at the same time with no problems. I also have ebooks downloaded but they take very little space and are mostly on the micro SD card.
"I have bluetooth headphones, so will they link? Does it also have a headphone input?
Bluetooth available but I mostly plug in headphones or speakers.
Thanks so much. I have been scouring the review threads but have been getting varied opinions. I’m just using it for audio books but I know they take up a lot of room.
I literally just want one audio book on there at a time, the rest in my cloud library, so it looks like the 8 will do it.
I put both Fires on my camelcamelcamel alerts so fingers crossed they go on sale soon! I’m not in a hurry. Again, Thanks so much.
Wendy wrote: "Thanks so much. I have been scouring the review threads but have been getting varied opinions. I’m just using it for audio books but I know they take up a lot of room.
I literally just want one a..."
I've seen reviews. Some of the negative ones seem to be expecting $200 tablet performance from $49.99 device. I was given mine when they first came out and it became the tablet I use most for audio books in spite of it not being stereo. It's been dropped, knocked off work table, sat on... but it's also not out of the protective case.
Wow. What timing. 9:30pm tonight I see a blurb that the Kindle 8 16gb is on sale for $49.99 !!!! Wow. Went to put it in my cart and find a cover and by 10pm only one color left.....Phew. Made it. I’m posting in hopes you can grab one too if you want/need.
Overdrive books, unlike Audible books, do not load onto the expansion drive. On my 8gb fire I sometimes got a message that my storage was almost full if I tried to load more than 3 Overdrive books. However I do have other stuff on the fire. I switched to a 16gb 7inch fire for my audiobooks.
Faith wrote: "Overdrive books, unlike Audible books, do not load onto the expansion drive. On my 8gb fire I sometimes got a message that my storage was almost full if I tried to load more than 3 Overdrive books...."I have a friend who loaded a bunch of games and some apps on hers before even adding the overdrive app with predictable problems. The only things I have on mine are reading related. The only apps I added, Overdrive and Hoopla.
Faith, thanks for your suggestions. It sounds like your needs are similar to mine. I just ordered a 16gb Fire 8 (on sale for same price as the 7 8gb). Fingers crossed. I’m excited. I have an audible library, but this gives me some wiggle room for Overdrive books. Thanks.
Oh...LJ missed your latest reply. Yep. Library books and audio books from Audible and Overdrive are my top concern for the fire purchase. It looks like Amazon has restocked the blue Fire 8 after last night’s run on supplies. It is still on sale this morning. Just FYI. Thanks. 👍🏻
Wendy wrote: "Hi All:I’m looking at the Kindle Fire 7 for exclusive use for audio books.
I would like to access my Audible library and also Overdrive audio books.
Is the 8gb enough? Or should I go for 16?
I h..."
8 gigs is plenty to play audiobooks. I typically have 10 audiobooks from my Audible library on the Fire at any one time to leave room for other stuff. My library hasn't had Overdrive for several years, but I see no reason why the files would be any larger. However, if you get stuff and resell it to get the latest and greatest, then holding out for the 16 is a better bet as the resale value will always be higher than for an 8 gig model.
I am considering saying bye to my ipod. I have forever been able to plug my ipod into the console of my Scion XB. I could work the controls from steering wheel, the book showed up on my stereo display. And it was always charged. Then that stopped. I suppose it might still work with the classic. I have not tried that but it doesn't work with my Nano. I have to use the auxiliary plug into my ipod headphone port and that doesn't keep it charged.
Maybe I should get some kind of bluetooth adapter for the car stereo unit and switch to my android phone. Is anyone using their android phone and blue tooth? And if so, what happens when the phone rings?
If I'm listening to an audiobook and my phone rings, the book stops so I can answer the phone (or not) and then resumes when the call is completed.
Terri wrote: "If I'm listening to an audiobook and my phone rings, the book stops so I can answer the phone (or not) and then resumes when the call is completed."Thanks Terri.
I recently had a look to see if there were many sansa clip plus still for sale... they are my favourite. I found a few but the scariest was a new in box Sansa Clip + for over €700.00 and the shipping was over €300.00. I should've got two LOL
I really love my Sansa's too. I now have 4 of them...LOL. I recently bought two clip jams on Amazon for under $30 each.
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