A Christmas Wish List for the Audiobook Lover

It’s a week of Christmas ideas here at AudioGals. We’re featuring the iPod family on Wednesday and the Sansa Clip+ on Friday.

It’s a given – we are confirmed audiobook-aholics. It’s likely we already have our favorite audiobook player in our possession or have one chosen to eventually replace it. So what other items sit on our wish lists? Sure, a few extra Audible credits are always welcome. Even better, how about an Audible Platinum membership with 24 credits upfront to use when and how we’d like? Now we’re talking an audiobook lover’s language.

But for me, it’s gadgets – not just the listening device type but all the handy little extras that can make the audiobook listening experience easier. You know, all those practical little things to have around for the sheer sake of convenience.

Here’s a list of my favorite gadgets complete with reasons why they make such great gifts:

 

These Altec earbuds are a favorite with iPod players because of the oh so easy inline play/pause button at about the collar bone level. Not having used the microphone, I can’t comment on it’s ability with a phone but for the ease of quickly pausing/resuming play, especially with an iPod Touch, these get my vote. You have a color choice of black or white.

As for wireless Bluetooth headphones, the winner is the LG Tone HB700. Again, I can’t comment on the microphone ability but the fast pairing with any Bluetooth enabled iPod added to the ease of use with a large play/pause button that is easily discernible from other controls, comfort in wearing, and close to 10 hours of use with a fresh charge these are my choice. The ear buds snap into the ends magnetically when not in use. The charging adapter is the same configuration as a Kindle’s and is  interchangeable as well – handy. These too come in black or white. Here’s a 45 second YouTube video showing the highlights.

 

Running out of battery power when listening on the go, in the middle of house cleaning, yard work, or at the gym doesn’t have to be tolerated when you have a Duracell Instant USB Charger. A small light weight power pack, you plug your device’s USB cord into it. This backup power pack, at full charge, will keep you going for several more hours without having to plug into a wall or computer. I found it fascinating to read that if you fully charge this small back up battery charger and leave it in a drawer unused for 6 months it will still hold 50% of its charging power.

 

When it comes to keeping devices charged, there is little more frustrating than having to hunt up the wall adapters to charge them or having to find enough outlets for a family’s worth of electronics. Installing a RND Power Solution charging stations with surge protection has been a boon. Not only do you get three electrical outlets from the two you cover up, you also get two direct USB outlets with the power to charge an iPad, iPhone, or other iPods at the same time. The same holds true for a Kindle HD and another device. With the newer iPad and the Kindle HD requiring 9 or 10 watt accelerated charging abilities, it’s nice to know you can use one of the USB ports in this charging station for that strength while using the other for the regular 5 watt charging of your phone or MP3 player. A bright green LED light glows at the top of the device acting as a nightlight in the dark. It comes with a long replacement screw to secure the station to the outlet – you leave the outlets original plate in place only needing to swap out the screw to add this handy addition.

While double checking the details on the above item, I came across this charging station, BESTEK 1875W USB Wall Charging Station, which looks as if it will run circles around the first one. Check it out!

  • Six US 110V AC outlets: With a cumulative 1,875W of pure power, you can power your favorite devices such as vacuum cleaners, coffee makers, and more
  • Four USB ports ( two with 2.1A, two with 1A): simultaneously charge four of your favorite techy goodies (including iPads and smart phones)
  • The power of peace of mind: ABS anti-fire base material; built-in fuse; over-load / short circuit / surge protection . 12 months warranty
  • Integrated blue LED nightlight with two brightness levels; LED power indicators for USB and AC output
  • Conveniently and securely charge your iPod or iPhone via the charging dock with protective security shield

This is an item I don’t own (yet!). I’m including it here based on the feedback at Amazon.

 

If you’re ordering a new Kindle HD for yourself or someone else and have wondered which HDMI cord is the correct fit, I found this one BlueRigger High Speed Micro HDMI to HDMI cable with Ethernet (6 Feet) to be of high quality construction, cost effective, and it works great.

 

 

If you have a device that uses a mini SD card, be on the lookout for a bargain this season. During the recent Amazon Black Friday Special, they had this SanDisk 32gb mini SD card for just under $15.00 with free shipping. It integrated perfectly with my 8gb Sansa Clip+ and Audible library.

 

 

 

Do you have a SanDisk Sansa Clip+ and find it difficult to keep a hold of or the smooth buttons hard to press? Silicone skins help immensely and are a bargain cost wise.

 

 

 

A Closer Look at iPods on Wednesday

Apple is continuing to release new incarnations of their popular iPods. While not being a perfect audiobook player (I want to be able to sort my audiobook library by artist etc just as in the music library), they are one of the best when it comes to an audiobook listeners’ desires. If you want more than a basic player for listening to your audiobooks or are comfortable with iTunes and don’t want to leave your known environment, we’ll be looking at the pros in regards to the new 7th generation Nano among the others on Wednesday.

 

 

An Overview of SanDisk Sansa Clip+ on Friday

For every diehard iPod fan, there is an equal number who won’t be tied to iTunes and still others who prefer a budget conscious alternative when it comes to their audiobook player. While I was surprised to find fewer choices in this arena, one of my long time favorites remains – the SanDisk Sansa Clip+. We’ll be considering the positives of this excellent audiobook player including it’s expandable memory option on Friday

 

Brenda

3 thoughts on “A Christmas Wish List for the Audiobook Lover

  1. Hi,
    I notice you will be reviewing the 7th incarnation of the Nano from Apple. My 6th gen passed away recently so I was more or less forced to purchase the 7th gen. I wasn’t to happy about this as it is missing that lovely clip but went ahead anyway as I was part way through the MacKenzie’s and I was quite desperate.
    Well it arrived and I wanted to comment on some very real draw backs I’ve found.

    1. ‘Now Playing’ icon is no longer available, massive problem as the only workaround i could find is to not set the clock as the start up default screen and then pause and resume the ipod, because the clock isn’t the default it seems to bring up the Now Playing screen. Understanding that the only real way to fast-forward/rewind is on that screen.
    2. The ‘Pause/Resume’ toggle also will fast forward to next chapter if hit twice. This is very easy to do when toggling volume. I may be blind but I haven’t seen a notification of the feature in Apples doc.
    3. Don’t put it in your Trouser/Jeans pocket as when bending over it will, I’ve found, hit the On/Off button and depending on why your bending will turn the iPod completely off (very annoying when trying to mow the lawn :-). I know this sounds silly but as most people are bending over several times during the course of the day for instance to pick up a bag, and as there are no pockets generally on a ladies shirt the only place to put it is in your pocket. (My sympathies to those who are wearing skirts, I’m not to sure where you could ummm place it )
    4. There is no ability to add buttons to your home screen such as ‘Playlist’ etc. like the 6th gen.
    5. When opening up “Audiobook” it does not default to the top of the index, instead it seems to open in the middle.
    6. This is an odd one, when i go into the book chapter listing screen I can’t seem to back out of it, by that i mean the sliding action doesn’t work trying to get back the Book listing screen, this is really odd because it works every where else. It’s even worse when trying to do this the iPod starts playing which ever chapter your thumb or finger is near when trying to do this… So you’ve lost your place. Again it doesn’t happen in any other screen that I’ve found. (if it works for you pls let me know)
    7. and last the size and shape is an awkward design, it’s too big to attach to, umm bra strap, it’s too small to watch a movie/tv show (who’s the dim pickle who thought that one up). The Volume and the Sleep buttons are located oddly in relation to each other (why oh why didn’t they stick with the 6th gen multi use button instead of adding it to the volume toggle), with that i mean when trying to figure out how to make a little case with a clip for it I realized i needed to have an open front for the touch screen and the Home button, the top and bottom need access for the Headphones, that new jack system and the On/Off button, and then a partial side opening for the Volume/Pause toggle.

    So basically I’m very disappointed. I’d like to state that I have had a 4th gen (2.5 years and the screen died although the freezer did prolong it’s life by 2 months), I’ve used the 5th gen for a couple of months on loan, and had a lovely romance with my 6th generation, in comparison as an Audiobook fanatic this little monster has the ability to truly ruin you day (excluding the Bluetooth as i haven’t tested that). It has less functionality and way too much gimmickry.

    Sorry for the rant but i truly believe that it would be better to stay with the 6th if you possibly can and see if this one is replaced and/or updated before moving across.

    Kind regards
    R. Jane

    1. I understand your frustration R Jane and I think part of it is due to your getting a lemon of a 7th gen Nano!

      I can swipe back out of the chapters of an audiobook with a quick flick just as I can out of any of the other places (trying to do a longer slide motion will open the chapter) and if I pause while listening to a book when I use the home button to wake the screen up to resume play it is always at the now playing screen…

      I put this inexpensive case with a clip on the Nano and it helps define the small buttons so they are easier to work with while being harder to accidentally press. And the case has a clip, it’s not perfect but it helps a lot.

      I also use the above mentioned Altec ear buds for play/pause most of the time so I don’t need to handle the player once the volume is at a comfortable level. I do agree about not knowing who would watch a movie on it. :D

      I’ve had excellent success buying used or refurbished players from Amazon when a favorite goes out of production…

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