What device for listening to books?

JGalt · ‎03-10-2010

I would like to listen to books more often. I've usually done so in the car so I would buy books on tape and then books on discs. I thought digital might be less expensive so I downloaded a book from Amazon onto my old Amazon Fire 8.9, and then used earbuds to listen while I was driving. That wasn't great. I would rather not use earbuds, but the problem was where to place the tablet. There was no good place,especially since I was tethered to it.

What technology now exists for book listening? Maybe there is something more convenient.

jaxs mom · ‎04-18-2012

Have you checked your state law on wearing headphones while driving? The law varies. Anyway, do the Fire tablets have bluetooth? Do you have a way to connect your device to your car stereo system? I plug my phone into my car stereo using the USB plug. Some car stereos will connect over bluetooth.

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glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

@JGalt wrote:
I would like to listen to books more often. I've usually done so in the car so I would buy books on tape and then books on discs. I thought digital might be less expensive so I downloaded a book from Amazon onto my old Amazon Fire 8.9, and then used earbuds to listen while I was driving. That wasn't great. I would rather not use earbuds, but the problem was where to place the tablet. There was no good place,especially since I was tethered to it.

What technology now exists for book listening? Maybe there is something more convenient.

In many states, wearing earbuds while driving is illegal. I buy audiobooks on CD because I don't have Bluetooth in my car. It's the most pratical for me because of the multiple ways I can listen to it. If I am going on a long trip, I'll rip the CDs into the MP3 format and burn the entire book on 1 or 2 CDs. It's nice not to be changing discs often while driving down the highway.

meem120 · ‎03-09-2010

I just use my iPhone. I just downloaded Audible and listen while I walk . Easy Peasy

Dusty1 · ‎03-10-2010

I do buy (Or borrow from the library) books on CDs to listen to in the car or at home.

I was just reading about Overdrive. It's audible books I can borrow from my library & listen to on my phone. I do have a bluetooth speaker to use, if I want that.

JGalt · ‎03-10-2010

I guess all this extends beyond my knowledge base. I think I see two issues that apply whether I'm home or driving.

One: what device is most convenient. I was very happy in the old days with books on tape and my Walkman. The CDs aren't convenient at home but do work well in the car. Playing a CD at home means on my stereo which is in the living room with speakers on the wall, but that's not a good way for me to listen. A tablet works fine at home for digital (downloaded) books, but not good in car because there is no place to put it and I can't hear it over the road noise and AC fan in the car.

Someone asked about bluetooth...I have a Bluetooth speaker I can use in the house, but there wouldn't be a secure way to use it in the car. Is the idea that some car audio systems pick up Bluetooth signals from devices inside the car? I don't think my car is that fancy. I have a 2010 Toyota 4-Runner (basic model).

So this is the second issue: how to hear in a car. There is something Bluetooth in the car in that a cell phone can connect and then the conversation goes through a speaker, but not through the radio's speakers.

(Taking a break in this diatribe to go to car to get manual and see if there is a feature I have never been made aware of. I shall return as I would appreciate advice on what I should purchase to accomplish my goals)

JGalt · ‎03-10-2010

Car manual not helpful because it has language about Bluetooth connection to the audio system as well as USB connection "if the vehicle is so equipped ". I found a port (I guess it's called) but it looks like a single hole, like for an RCA cable.

What is an iPod? Would that be something small I could get to use for books? But is there a way to connect to my car audio?

Well, if anyone is knowledgeable about these issues and has time to explain, I'd sure appreciate your help.

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

@JGalt wrote:
I guess all this extends beyond my knowledge base. I think I see two issues that apply whether I'm home or driving.

One: what device is most convenient. I was very happy in the old days with books on tape and my Walkman. The CDs aren't convenient at home but do work well in the car. Playing a CD at home means on my stereo which is in the living room with speakers on the wall, but that's not a good way for me to listen. A tablet works fine at home for digital (downloaded) books, but not good in car because there is no place to put it and I can't hear it over the road noise and AC fan in the car.

Someone asked about bluetooth...I have a Bluetooth speaker I can use in the house, but there wouldn't be a secure way to use it in the car. Is the idea that some car audio systems pick up Bluetooth signals from devices inside the car? I don't think my car is that fancy. I have a 2010 Toyota 4-Runner (basic model).

So this is the second issue: how to hear in a car. There is something Bluetooth in the car in that a cell phone can connect and then the conversation goes through a speaker, but not through the radio's speakers.

(Taking a break in this diatribe to go to car to get manual and see if there is a feature I have never been made aware of. I shall return as I would appreciate advice on what I should purchase to accomplish my goals)

Do you have a computer? If so, you can rip the CDs into the MP3 format. It's the same format if you download an audiobook. Once you rip or convert the CDs, you can listen to them on any device that is able to read a MP3 file. If you have a computer with a CD player, you can listen to CD using it.

If you have Bluetooth in your car and can connect your phone, it goes through your car stereo speakers. You can download a book on your phone, MP3 player or other device that has Bluetooth. You can listen to the audiobook that way.

ceekay · ‎03-12-2010

I have been pondering this myself. I think you can use the USB port in your car and tether your device (old Fire I think you said so probably has a mini or micro port). Sound will come out of the device, not the car speakers. I guess if you have a full battery you should be good for awhile. Maybe you have a car charger that will work on your device. I asked when I got my new car recently which has many more audio choices than my 2002 Toyota did. I do not have an "i" anything and they said I should be able to connect with one of the choices and have it come through my car speakers.

I remember back in the 70s driving around with a cassette player on the seat as I drove 30 hours cross country to college. :-)

ETA - just reread your comment about noise. I used a wireless receiver (got it at Best Buy) many years ago to connect a Zen player through the car speakers. Worked pretty well (again on my 2002 car). So, maybe something like that might work (depending on the connections on your Fire).

VolvoGirl · ‎07-21-2010

Do you still have a cassett tape player in your car? It's just a cassett with a cord on it to plug into your headphone jack on the tablet or your device.

You can get a cassett to aux adpater real cheap like at Frys or here's one from Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/INSTEN-Universal-Cassette-Adapter-Smartphones/dp/B00CRBA9D8/ref=sr_1_1?s=mp3&...

I have an iPod Touch 5 and love it. Before I got it I spent 3 days ripping my CDs to my computer so I could load them up to the iPod. My iPod 5 is just like my iPad tablets and my husband's iPhone. I don't have a cell phone. It's about the size of a cell phone. I use it mostly as a music player but keep a lot of notes on it too. Like all the sizes of things in my house (like the air filters and what kind of batteries things need) so if I'm in a store and remember I need to buy something I have the size.