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Audio Books, how to use for ageing technophobes

AndyP

AndyP

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I've been tasked with seeing if I can sort out a "simple" audio book player. It seems that Amazon/Audible seem to have the market sewn up (last time i bought an audio book it was on a cassette tape).
App on smartphone is not an option. I dedicated MP3 player that has the Audible app my well be but as even that will require a level of finger dexterity (the ability to swipe left and right diminishes with age).
I doubt whether the Audible subscription package would be needed.
Ideally we would like a player with a built in speaker and screen so that books can be selected but this looks like another holy grail. Pairing players with BT speakers is also beyond users technical skills. So a player (with all other apps removed if possible) hard wired to the speaker would probably be the option but even that will require constant vigilance for charging.

Curious to hear if anyone around here has set up audio books for, lets say an elderly not tech savvy person.

TIA
 
Hmmm. I've got the Kindle app on my iPad. I get on with it ok. I think it even turns pages with a tap.

The last book I bought was the complete works of John Buchan which for the number of books was huge value for money.

I'd have to delve further into its setting to check on its accessibility.

Kindle App Accessibility settings
 
It's a difficult time, when older people's need for a service intersects with increased difficulty in using it.

My first thought, if your user has sight difficulties, is the RNIB, who have years of supplying audio books in a succession of different formats. Their website suggests that they do offer easy to use appliances that just play the books. ("DAISY" seems to be a key word here.)

Talking Books

If you're affected by sight loss, we're here for you
www.rnib.org.uk www.rnib.org.uk

Also, for another non-Amazon option, check what the user's local library service offers. Many have a subscription to 'Borrowbox' or similar.

If they don't necessarily want current, in-copyright material, there are thousands of titles at librivox.org. You can download the audio files foc and play them on any device, which could be a tablet, giving the easy on-screen selection.

LibriVox | free public domain audiobooks

librivox.org librivox.org



And a search on BBC Sounds (app or just website ) in the audio book category will bring up quite a wide, ever changing selection, again foc.

www.bbc.co.uk

BBC Sounds - Categories - Audiobooks

Browse all Audiobooks radio shows, podcasts and mixes in BBC Sounds. See what's new, what's popular, or browse by a-z.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
 
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Is there a wifi internet connection possible?

Amazon Alexa devices can do audio books and remember progress between sessions according to google. Might entertain by answering questions etc too.
 
Malc2098 said:
Hmmm. I've got the Kindle app on my iPad. I get on with it ok. I think it even turns pages with a tap.

The last book I bought was the complete works of John Buchan which for the number of books was huge value for money.

I'd have to delve further into its setting to check on its accessibility.

Kindle App Accessibility settings
Click to expand...
I do not think Kindle plays audio books, and the text to speech option, I suspect might be a bit clunky.
 
AndyT said:
It's a difficult time, when older people's need for a service intersects with increased difficulty in using it.

My first thought, if your user has sight difficulties, is the RNIB, who have years of supplying audio books in a succession of different formats. Their website suggests that they do offer easy to use appliances that just play the books. ("DAISY" seems to be a key word here.)

Talking Books

If you're affected by sight loss, we're here for you
www.rnib.org.uk www.rnib.org.uk

Also, for another non-Amazon option, check what the user's local library service offers. Many have a subscription to 'Borrowbox' or similar.

If they don't necessarily want current, in-copyright material, there are thousands of titles at librivox.org. You can download the audio files foc and play them on any device, which could be a tablet, giving the easy on-screen selection.

And a search on BBC Sounds (app or just website ) in the audio book category will bring up quite a wide, ever changing selection, again foc.
Click to expand...
Not being UK resident precludes those options, although I can access BBC sounds that I have saved when in the UK accessing from here without a VPN (which the BBc of course look out for and block) is not possible
 
Robert said:
Is there a wifi internet connection possible?

Amazon Alexa devices can do audio books and remember progress between sessions according to google. Might entertain by answering questions etc too.
Click to expand...
Yes, I was beginning to wonder about Alexa, we have a couple in the house here which we could use to test the vocal dexterity of the intended user.
 
There's also the echo show for an alexa device with a screen to show choices of books and it has a speaker to play them. I bought a 'show' but sent it back as it couldn't do what I wanted - but it probably will do what you want.
 
I download radio programmes to my computer using get_iPlayer which is open source and illegal. I then transfer them to hubbies iPod classic using iTunes. A less openly illegal technique would be to record live audio on your computer (perhaps you could be playing a radio broadcast) using Audacity and then transfer the recording to the iPod (or similar).

If you must have audiobooks, try hunting around charity shops for audiobooks on CDs. They’re not expensive and can be ripped easily.

Podcasts are a good alternative to audiobooks if you can tolerate the adverts. They’re simple to download and play through mobile phones and tablets.
 
Thanks Gill, the recipient sees the audio books as a lull me off to sleep method. The dulcet tones of, for example, David Attenborough reading any of his excellent books or Emma Thompson or Emilia Fox reading the Austen classics.
Am leaning towards a Kindle at the moment as it does provide the option of reading while off line as well as listenimg.
 
Does anyone watch Anna Sapwood, that wonderful organist? She has her music on an iPad and blinks to turn a page.

She uses something specific for music score. But for eReaders, there's this.
 
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