Having used several brands of MP3 players before obtaining my first iPod, I know there is a wide selection of players for audiobook listening but when it comes to ease of use, Apple products can’t be beat. We are going to focus on the pros of the following iPods while fully admitting there are cons as well.
The regular release of newly designed iPods means each new player’s features differ from the previous player. Since we are looking at iPods as gift ideas, we’ll be considering the newer releases starting with the 7th generation iPod Nano.
This new 16gb Nano caught my attention for two reasons – tactile buttons that allow quick adjustments to volume and play/pause and Bluetooth. I’ll let Amazon’s description fill in the rest…
- 2.5-inch Multi-Touch color display with 240-by-432 pixel resolution
- Only 5.4-mm thin—the thinnest iPod ever
- Easy-to-use controls to quickly adjust volume, or play, pause, and change songs
- Bluetooth 4.0
- Widescreen video
- FM radio with Live Pause
- Built-in pedometer for fitness
- Built-in Nike+ support for voice feedback and syncing to nikeplus.com
- Anodized aluminum in seven gorgeous colors
- 16GB capacity1
- Up to 30 hours of music playback2
- Apple EarPods
- Works with Mac and PC
There are caveats and one big one is that is the 7th gen Nano has a new connection configuration – the lightening connector. There is a 30 pin adapter available but I still dislike having to go through new connector changes. Here’s a 1 minute video with a fast talking expert detailing the latest iPod player.
The changes in each generation of iPod Nano are usually quite noticeable with the features varying dramatically at times. The 16 gb 6th generation Nano ended up being excellently suited to those whose main interest is audiobooks and not a lot of extras. It has a small touch screen that can be set to your preferences and its small size with the addition of the clip on its back makes it easy to wear or carry. A software update allowed you to use the sleep/wake button as a play/pause button though I found using the Altec ear buds a more convenient alternative. 
I do wish Apple would have stayed with this sleeked down model or at least kept it in production as their ode to audiobook lovers. You can still find new 6th gen Nanos but, as is the case each time the next generation of iPod comes out, the previous generation’s cost skyrockets. After the holidays when many will have upgraded to the 7th gen Nano, consider a refurbished 6th generation if you want a small, simple audiobook player that works with iTunes.
For those of us with large audiobook libraries and an obsession with carrying said library with us at all times, the 9th generation iPod Classic with its 160 gb capacity is the answer. Amazon has yet to update its listings to the 9th generation model so the link takes you to the Apple store to check out the specifics. Amazon carries a large variety of cases for the iPod Classic, my favorites include a clip that allows me to attach the player to my waistband for easy access to the play/pause button at the top of the click wheel. You can purchase a Bluetooth adapter that enables you to use wireless headphones if you desire but they are a battery drain and aren’t cost effective to my way of thinking.
Admittedly, the 5th generation iPod Touch is overkill as a standalone audiobook player but the ability to download the free Audible App that allows wireless delivery of your audiobooks (which also gives you the ability to use the new Whispersync feature) is the real draw. I like having the choice of listening with a smaller device when out and about and then switching to Kindle (or to the Kindle App) to pick up the reading if I want. That facet combined with many others that the Audible App offers makes the iPod Touch attractive to the audiobook lover. The Bluetooth allows easy pairing with wireless headphones and other Bluetooth enabled devices, a semi acceptable external speaker for times you want to share your listening, and easy functionality with inline controls of wired ear buds. Add in the multitude of extras you get with a 5th gen iPod Touch and it’s no surprise to find it at the top of many a wish list.
Brenda
I’m not an Apple fan and don’t have any Apple products except for my iPod Touch. I don’t remember which generation it is, but I LOVE it! I use it only as an audiobook player and it’s worth every penny just for that. I purchased the earbuds you recommended on Monday and can’t wait to give them a try.
I’m interested in your review on Friday of a possible iPod alternative. Anything I can do to wean myself away from the apple-verse is good, imo. Next I need to find a way to store my audiobooks somewhere else besides iTunes. (According to my husband it’s “the crappiest software imaginable” and “has a lousy user interface.” That’s one of the reasons I’m so happy your making these tutorials! I can stop asking him to deal with iTunes! He hates it so much. ;-) )
If I can find an MP3 player I like as well as my Touch, I’d start buying books and storing them on my hard drive and using Media Monkey, I think. But I know so little so I need to check into that.
I spent a long time hanging out on the Anythingbutipod web site – does your husband frequent it? ;)
When Creative stopped making their high gb player I found the iPod Classic was the best alternative – then DIL received an iPod Touch as her X-Mas bonus when they first released and I was in love!
I’ve learned to deal with it but I agree with your DH about iTunes – they do their best to wrest control of your media from you and… you don’t want to get me started from there. LOL
If you can make folders and drag and drop in Windows your all set for Friday’s highlighted player but it’s not as pretty as a Touch. :)
I started my MP3 listening with a Nano – it was a gift from my children. I have purchased two Nanos since and I know no other way to listen. My kids knew that if they parked me in one place technically and set me up, it would be unlikely I would change.
I’ve had many frustrating times with iTunes but working with Brenda one on one (for months), I learned how to wrestle control. Preferring iPhones and now a lover of a Macbook Pro (purchased one just a year ago), I’m finally in the Apple camp all the way. I still don’t love iTunes – I think it maddening if you don’t take a course in how to deal with it (!) – but I can’t imagine taking the time to learn another way of doing things. My kids were right – park me – keep me going – and I’ll stay.
Just 4 months ago, I purchased a 6th gen Nano from the Apple store. Just 4 mos ago! I can’t believe it is already gone as it is the easiest device for me yet. But, like Brenda said, it is excellent for me as I require nothing from it other than listening to audiobooks. It’s a little too small at times but extremely convenient with its clip and very easy to back up (reverse). My two biggest requirements other than playing the book. Ha!
I have a 5th Gen Nano which I love but I’ve noticed the menu wheel/button is getting sticky so I have to press it multiple times to get it to pause and play. And on some books, I can’t forward or reverse at all which is sad because when I miss things I like to back up and re-listen. Still, the last iPod I bought was a 4th Gen Nano from cash converters for about $40 so that looks like a bit of a winner :)
I didn’t realize they came out with a new classic. I just replaced my 7th gen classic in Sep before going on vacation. I love it and don’t think I’d jump to the new version with the changed connector. I never leave the house without my precious!