Quote:
Originally Posted by Darqref
New question:
Could you evaluate your readers from the standpoint of a mostly blind user who wanted to use them for listening to audio books (in mp3 form)? Can you set font size to large for the library pages so that it's easy to choose a new book? (assume that all distracting material is removed, ie. only audiobooks are present)
My mother is legally blind, and listens to lots of audiobooks. For her, a cassette tape is the easiest, because the controls of the player are easiest to handle. There are specific cd players that work, but they're not really as portable as she would like, and most others are difficult to see/manage. iPods and similar devices have screens and controls that are just difficult enough to discourage her from trying.
I wonder if one of the touch-screen models would have a combination of large enough fonts that she could touch the correct book and start/stop/pause play.
Also, do they recognize the standard audiobook formats, or just straight mp3 files?
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Hi,
tough questions.
I have to admit, I've never used audio capabilities on any of my eReaders (except of the first few days of checking out all features).
I find the features way too limited, any € 50 MP3 walkman/iPod has way more to offer. And I find audio while reading distracting.
But I didn't check out from your mother's perspective of course.
Maybe half of my readers can be used for Audible AudioBooks. MP3 shouldn't be a problem for any of them.
Finding the audio book of choice within the library shouldn't be a problem, you can blow up the fonts quite significantly.
It's more difficult within the audio player application itself. I don't remember any reader being able to change the layout of the audio player to "button/interface oriented". So, on 5" and 6" readers, the button placement is kind of cramped. The manufacturers seem to focus on cover graphic, book title and such instead of having huge buttons.
For the majority of users this probably does make sense. Most of them probably would complain about wasting screen estate, if there'd be only 3 buttons and nothing else.
My spontaneous reaction to your post was: iPad.
You can't install any 3rd party audio applications on dedicated eReaders. Even on the softrooted/hacked ones I don't remember any audio book oriented application (there have been MP3 apps for iRex iLiad for example, but targeting for background music with non-intrusive overlay = tiny interface).
On iPad you easily can install Audible audio books, right from within iTunes. And standard MP3s of course.
The screen is huge, button placement shouldn't be a problem at all.
Of course, iPad is a bit less mobile. But I guess the difference to 6" readers isn't that big.
And of course battery consumption isn't perfect. But without WiFi and such, iPad will do 10+ hours.
Of course it's 5 times the price of low-end ePaper readers. But maybe you can find additional use for it? Maybe when your mother isn't using it, for yourself as a very nice gadget.
And just a thought: Personally, I love the GPS capabilities of iPad (although I use them way more often on iPhone). There even are voice activated apps, for example for navigating while driving you car.
Might come in handy for your mother when being on her own.
And of course iPad can do, whatever all the other readers can do. Even more, as you can install various applications (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ...) on it.
And: Lots of users complain about a single downside of iPad in comparison to ePaper readers: Less contrast respectively more glare.
Your mother won't bother, so she should be absolutely enthusiastic about iPad.