Are there devices specifically meant to play audiobooks/Audible?
A friend of mine loves to read, but has lost fine motor control to arthritis. She can't hold a book and is not capable of turning a page. Just to complicate things, she's also a proud luddite: no computer, no smartphone, no e-readers. I happen to love audiobooks and would like to introduce her to this hands-free reading option. I'm having trouble finding a device that just does audiobooks. Do I have to buy a smartphone or mp3 player? Does Audible sell their own device? What about an Alexa-enabled device? Whatever it is, it'll have to be uncomplicated and extremely user-friendly. Ideally low- or no-touch.
Answers ( 2 )
Your friend should be eligible for free audio books from The National Library for the Blind.
https://www.loc.gov/nls/
There is, of course, an application, and someone (I always did it for folks I helped in Nursing Homes) has to sign off that she needs this service, and she will get a player, a HUGE catalogue, and up to four books on a memory stick at a time. She finishes one, sends it back, and the next one on her order list is sent.
They player is simplicity- looks like a big cassette recorder with three great big buttons- red to stop, green to go, yellow up/down (forward/back) and a speed control- a slow recitation, or a faster recitation which does not sound like either Rod Sterling -or- the Chipmunks.
It is an AMAZING service- just opens the world back up.
Some of the newer players can take a memory stick which is NOT from the NLS, but when you buy the memory stick, you have to make sure it is as "low tech" as possible- no encryption, no filters, no virus protection. Then you can use that memory stick to record other books, books the NLS- being a tax payor supported service- may not have yet.
Google her state's library service, and you should find a link for your library system's Library for the Blind.
It is MARVELOUS!
I use Sony Stereo CD/MP3 Cassette Boombox to listen to my audiobooks I purchased it from Amazon for $69,99.