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Originally Posted by LuvReadin
Thanks for the long reply LuvReadin,
Definitely - you can pick up cheap MP3 players easily, and most are expandable with microSD cards, so you can fit a lot of books on. I use mine for car journeys because I get travel-sick so can't read, and it's really useful. If her hands are as bad as it seems, this might be a good alternative. Borrowing them from the library or the RNIB is easy, and there's quite a good selection. Plus there's all the freebies (about 5000) on www.librivox.org. |
MP3 in conjunction with Audio books is a good idea - I was picturing CDs before. I've written this down to cover off next with the carer. Will also propose that I buy one and try it out with her, then return if no good. Just to get the ball rolling really - tired of reading/typing, and doing nothing.
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Very odd, isn't it? Now, suggestion (and I'm not about to suggest something illegal, so please, moderators, don't delete this!) Have you thought of taking a laptop with you and seeing if there's a free wireless connection in the vicinity? There may be one if there's a pub or something else nearby. If there was, it would expand the range of possible options again.
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Well I don't have a laptop, and I've not used WiFi so out of my depth on that one I'm afraid. I like the idea though.
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Right, as you said - it does seem she's far more disabled than originally thought, and yes, it is a waste if she's not going to use a PC. However, if she's pretty much bed-bound, have you checked if 3G can work from her room?
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I hadn't realised that was something that might not work in a particular location. Another reason for trying one out. Good stuff - thanks,
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It was incompatibility at first - the Kindle wouldn't work with the software (Overdrive). However, that's now been worked out in the US. However, several of the major book publishers have pulled out of the deal in the US because (as I understand it anyway) it's too easy to pirate those books. Hence, for the moment at any rate, Overdrive have ceased to support any change to allow the Kindle to be used with libraries in the UK. Thus, for library use, it's either the Sony or Kobo. I looked into that quite closely, because it was one of my top essentials for an ereader.
Well, the Kobo is more Europe and the Nook USA, and given the makeup of this site's users, it's not surprising the Kobo would get fewer mentions. It does seem to be quite a good little device, though, and the basic one is currently on offer for £67 in Asda (worth checking out www.moneysavingexpert.com to see which ereaders are on offer at any particular time). However, as you say, even the higher-end ones don't seem to have 3G: http://www.kobobooks.com/ereaders
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If only they all sang from the same hymn sheet eh? Well I'll have to cross this when I come to it. The Kobo vox looks nice, though no 3G as you mentioned. Great deal at Asda there(wonder if it's on Walmart as well?).
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That's just what I was thinking! Given the cost of ereaders in the UK and the points others have raised about difficulties with returns, it's worth having a look on ebay - ereaders do tend to keep their value well, but it's still a lot less than buying new. And if it turns out to be unsuitable, resell it - a third-hand ereader isn't going to lose much of the value from a second-hand one.
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Good idea and I'll bear that in mind if I'm going to sell one on if unsuitable, but I'm aiming to get a new one as they're not too expensive and ... well you know new is somehow better when it's a gift.
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David, just so you know, the Kobo also has a dedicated online bookstore in the UK, but the Sony hasn't yet. However, there's nothing to stop you using any of the ereaders with any online bookstore (subject to the geographical restrictions HarryT mentioned), provided you have an account with it; it's just that the ereader won't connect automatically to a store other than the one that it's linked with.
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Yeah this threw me the other day when someone(ProfCrash maybe?) mentioned it. From what I can gather I can just buy any 3G device from anywhere, and as long as I'm signed up to the place where they sell the books, it's usable. If that's the case why are people remotely bothered by what's available where. Seems wrong somehow, like a trick has been missed. Like there's a little more to it, but hey - what do I know. I haven't even got an E-Reader.
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Definitely worth a shot - surprised the home isn't on their delivery list!
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It could well be actually - I've not checked it out yet!
Thanks again for taking so much time to respond LuvReadin,
Cheers,
David.