Audiobooks discussion
Technical stuff
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What do you use to listen to audiobooks?
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Alan wrote: "aprilla wrote: "I know we all use things differently but I think I don't ever 'power down'. I use pause/resume so it probably shuts down after a certain time if I don't resume. Just my habit. Anywa..."Yes. I can plug my Sport in to charge with a regular USB and it will stay playing or remember its place with that lead but if I use a different lead, the one that does data transfer, it does lose which book it's playing. So I use the regular USB overnight, the data USB just for transferring files.
I've learned to keep a little eye on the screen, now and again or at particular times, to see what file number is playing. If I'm going to plug into the computer I'll note which book and which file it's playing so I know where in the book to go back to. The Sport will remember where in file 5 (for example) I was, but not bring me there... so I navigate to Book>file 5 and then the Sport will ask me if I want to resume or Start Over. If I select Start Over it plays file 5 from the start, resume will play from where in file 5 it stopped when I paused to plug it in.
I've looked a bit into it, the Sport writes a .pos file for each file of the book as it starts it. So if you have listened to 4 of 7 files of the book there will be 4 .pos files along with the 7 mp3 files. If I ask the Sport to play a file I've completed (file 1, 2... of 7) it starts it at the beginning, so it knows that file has been completed. I believe the time is written to these, though I've looked at them and can't decipher them.
p.s. If I've got lost in the book and don't know where I am I've plugged it into the computer, opened the book folder and noted which file number I'm on by finding the latest .pos file. If there are 5 I know I'm listening to file 5. The .pos files have the same names as the mp3 files have so it's an easy thing to check.
Pamela wrote: ""But that requires a phone for YouTube, right? No, you can watch youtube on your computer."
Sorry, I should have provided more information. I want an MP3 player that's portable, so I can listen to audiobooks when I'm out hiking or doing chores.
Alan wrote: "Robin P wrote: "Libro.fm, which supports independent bookstores, does have a download option, but it seemed trickier to me, maybe I just haven't worked it out yet...."The problem I have with Libro..."
That’s what I thought too, I had to load them as individual “songs”. However, the customer service department at libro is very responsive and maybe they could have helped me more. I don’t have many books from them so I use them on a car trip when it’s less of a hassle to use the phone.
Bottom line is that I totally agree with you, Alan, there is a real market for small devices like this and it’s being ignored.
Alan wrote: "Pamela wrote: ""But that requires a phone for YouTube, right? No, you can watch youtube on your computer."
Sorry, I should have provided more information. I want an MP3 player that's portable, so ..."
I was talking about getting help replacing the battery on the MP3 player. Probably helpful info on Youtube.
I have 4 Sansa Clips+ that I used to use a lot but got frustrated with the transferring of info. I do still have several audio books on them and need to pull them out and listen to them. Alan, I was wondering what earphones you use when you are out hiking with your Sansa's??
Robin P wrote: "Bottom line is that I totally agree with you, Alan, there is a real market for small devices like this and it’s being ignored."A few years back there were a load of new mp3 players on the market, they were small and light, and moderately priced. I tried several of them and found they all worked the same, they just looked different and had different branding. None of them worked as well as the Sport Plus, though I wasn't liking the Sport Plus and that's why I tried them. Anyway, I went back to the Sport and figured how to use it in a way I could live with, and I'm happy with it now.
But, I agree, we do need some decent small player options, especially if designed for listening to audiobooks.
After years of dealing with iPod Nano generation 7 for my audiobooks, I switched recently to a Tracfone Android tablet (I never activated the phone portion so it is just a mini tablet with wifi only, Android 11 OS) and installed Smart Audiobook Player app. I liked it so I bought it. I have only 32 Gb on the installed camera card in the phone, so I keep my audiobooks on my PC (the ones I own) and load them to the card in the phone as I want them according to the instructions in the app. This also gives me access to the Audible app, and Libby, and Hoopla, on the same device. For listening I have Sennheiser Bluetooth headphones. If I have the audiobook downloaded to the phone/tablet I go offline with it and can listen for 24-30 hours on the headphones and phone before I need to recharge them. I still have my two Nano iPods and still use iTunes (although I do not like the corded earbuds I used to use anymore), I haven't ditched those completely, but I am slowly adapting away from that method to a more modern one. There are pros and cons for me.
For me that would have the major con of a phone. I'd carry it in my pocket, and the pocket would constantly rub against the app controls (Play/Pause, Fast Forward/Reverse, Next Chapter, etc) causing all kinds of mayhem. I know because I tried this approach with my phone and the Smart Audiobook Player app. I just can't use a phone or tablet with an audiobook app. But if it works for you, great. I'm glad you found a solution.
I actually like the corded headphones since Apple made the shape more oval. The earlier round ones would hurt after a while. I am positive that if I got wireless earbuds, especially expensive ones, I would lose them, drop them into the toilet, or some other disaster. Many of the larger headphones that go over the head I find too tight and bulky and they defeat the purpose of the tiny iPod being pocket size.
I use behind-the-head neckband headphones. They're great for activity like walking or doing chores.
I have Oppo cordless/bluetooth headphones. They are very nice, quite similar to the iPods (which my husband uses), but my choice for audiobooks is my small, clipped player and wired earbuds, cheap ones and magnetised if I can get them. I use only one side so the magnet keeps them from dangling, tidy to use. The Oppos are nice for my tablet.I listen a lot, recharging and changing over the cordless pods means I need to carry their box. I don't want to do that and the Sport with wired buds let me live and listen as I like. I like cheap buds now as I listen in bed which must be hard on them as my Sennheiser buds only lasted a couple of weeks, a major disappointment, however having had them I realise I don't need their quality for books. My current cheapies have lasted around 18 months and sound just fine so...
It's interesting all the various ways of listening there are, and we can each find what suits us.
Good point, I forgot that wireless earbuds need to be charged, another reason I avoid them.
I use my iPad - have not need headphones
Denise wrote: "I use my iPad - have not need headphones"That's fine if you are alone, but that doesn't work while out walking, or if other people are around you who don't want to hear the book.
Robin P wrote: "Denise wrote: "I use my iPad - have not need headphones"That's fine if you are alone, but that doesn't work while out walking, or if other people are around you who don't want to hear the book."
yes, I know
Alan wrote: "Anyone still using MP3 players (NOT phones)? .."Anyone else want to chime in? Is there anything like the Sansa Clip+ out there any more?
I'm curious how people are making out with phones running audiobook player apps. Don't you have problems with your pockets/purses clicking on the basic controls Play/Pause, Rewind/Fast-Forward, Next/Prev Chapter, etc?
Alan wrote: "Alan wrote: Anyone still using MP3 players (NOT phones)? .."I quit using my beloved MP3 players when the libraries stopped supporting them. I do use my phone with blue tooth earbuds now. I make sure to turn the phone "off" while listening and then the controls are not accidently getting hit.
The worst thing to me, besides the size of the phone being inconvenient, is getting text messages and calls while listening to a book. The sounds on the notifications is much louder than the volume I use to listen to the books. It is ear piercing. I used to get those weather and emergency alerts when using the phone to listen to books and did figure out how to disable that.
I am stuck with the phone until the Libby and Hoopla apps that the libraries use start supporting MP3 players again. I don't see that happening.
Alan - you can still buy the Sansa Clip Jam on Amazon. I own two and have no problems with them: https://www.amazon.com/Sandisk-8GB-Cl...
I also found this - it's not as small as a Sansa but looks like a viable option for you.
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Phin...
Jan wrote: "Alan - you can still buy the Sansa Clip Jam on Amazon. I own two and have no problems with them: https://www.amazon.com/Sandisk-8GB-Cl......"
Thanks Jan!
Alan wrote: "Alan wrote: "Anyone still using MP3 players (NOT phones)? .."Anyone else want to chime in? Is there anything like the Sansa Clip+ out there any more?
I'm curious how people are making out with phones..."
Alan, if using the Pause/Play will solve the issue you had with the Sport not resuming, what is it you are still not happy with? It might be something I've figured out how to live with happily.
I couldn't bear to be without a little player!
When I do listen on the Audible app on my phone, I haven't had trouble with random buttons being pushed, it actually happens more with my iPod if I'm not careful how I stash it in my pocket.
Coming here to ask if anyone has used a smartwatch to listen to audio books.Got notification from my library that Overdrive for Windows will be gone as of November 13th 2024. So no more downloading MP3's to my Creative Zen.
I don't like the idea of using my phone and I thought a watch would be a possible replacement.
I use my phone through the Kindle app for audio books 📚
My son, the Apple "Genius" - his official title - keeps telling me I could use an Apple watch for books. But then I would need wireless earbuds, which I absolutely don't want because I would lose them.
Angelina wrote: "I use audible."Ok, how do you listen? On your phone or computer?
Robin P wrote: "My son, the Apple "Genius" - his official title - keeps telling me I could use an Apple watch for books. But then I would need wireless earbuds, which I absolutely don't want because I would lose t..."Beats have flex ear buds that are corded
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/beats-fl...
I use an old android phone and the LIBBY app. I Bluetooth to my car radio or the speaker in my house.
I use the Libby app and corded wireless earbuds. Cheap ones. I have no problems listening to my books. Libby does have a place where you can add bookmarks to the book you are listening to. I find that bookmarking occasionally lets me find my place easily if there is a problem. Most phones and tablets have an option in settings that prevents (mostly) random buttons being pushed when the phone is in your pocket or purse. I also use bluetooth in my car and occasionally a bluetooth speaker. I find my books switch between devices pretty seamlessly. Even the loud sounds in the ear buds can be mitigated by adjusting the settings on your phone. When you buy earbuds or earphones check the bluetooth range. They vary but I find that most times I can leave my phone at one location inside my home and stay within bluetooth range on my earbuds. It takes some getting used to but I think if you try it you will find it pretty easy to adapt.
Brenda wrote: "I use an old android phone and the LIBBY app. I Bluetooth to my car radio or the speaker in my house."How exactly do you set up the old phone?
Karen wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I use an old android phone and the LIBBY app. I Bluetooth to my car radio or the speaker in my house."How exactly do you set up the old phone?"
Karen - I factory reset the phone. Then put my Google account back on the phone along with the password to my home WiFi. Download LIBBY app from the Play Store. Set the LIBBY app up with my library card. Go to the "Library" part of the LIBBY app and search out a book to listen to. download the book. Listen to the book from the "shelf" part of the LIBBY app.
Thanks for the information. I'll check it out.
I have a cheap phone as audiobook player also. Audible and Hoopla apps set up via home Wifi for downloading.
I use an Android phone with my Spotify app; bluetooth to my car audio when traveling and to my JLB mobile speaker when I'm cooking :)
I sometimes use this program https://streamfab.de/streamfab.htm
https://dvdfab.at/downloader.htm
to download some videos and audiobooks, also I can change the language at will, I usually download it to my computer because it's in MP4 format, and I can transfer it to my cell phone as well.
I listen with my iPhone and using either Bluetooth to my ear pieces or the apple play in my vehicle through its speakers.
Libby app on my phone or via a browser window (Chrome, typically) on my work laptop. Once in a Blue Moon via the CloudLibrary app for titles I wasn't able to get on Libby but the UX isn't nearly as good.
It depends on where I am. At home I listen on the TV, a boom box, computer or game console. While traveling I use my phone connected to the car.
I know this is an old thread. I guess nowadays most people use Bluetooth earbuds and a smartphone. However, if you need to convert PDF and other type of books into MP3 audio files, you can use a free Android app that has some nice AI voices in several languages. It's called VoicePal https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...
Audiobooks
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No, you can watch youtube on your computer.