Current Deals - Tablets & eReaders

[tubemonkey]

For those interested in iDevices, Apple just cut the pricing of its 5th Gen iPod touch

• 16GB -- $230 --> $199
• 32GB -- $299 --> $249
• 64GB -- $399 --> $299

They're still overpriced, considering the technology is 3 years old - Apple A5 SOC and only 512MB RAM. They also gave the 16GB model a rear camera. The iPt5 was released in Oct 2012 and is due for a refresh this year.

Release Dates

• iPod touch 1 -- Sep 2007
• iPod touch 2 -- Sep 2008
• iPod touch 3 -- Sep 2009
• iPod touch 4 -- Sep 2010
• iPod touch 5 -- Oct 2012

The move comes as the tech titan recently reported that its revenue from iPod slid to $461 million from $962 million in the March quarter from a year earlier.

The iPod, which Apple launched in 2001 to much fanfare, is now one of the lowest contributors to the company's top line as many customers use iPads and iPhones to host their music libraries.

Apple's revenue from iPods, which come in other models such as iPod shuffle and iPod classic, accounted for about 1% of its total $45.65 billion revenue during that period. It sold 2.76 million iPod units, down from 5.63 million a year earlier.

[KentE]

Originally Posted by mrmikel

BTW, if it is like the Fuze, if you have a CD you can rip it into a file and it will play it, full quality. It just takes up a lot more room. That is 80 CDs worth on one 64GB card.

MrMikel, thanks for this tip! I didn't know that was possible, and will definitely give it a try. It would be immensely valuable to me to have the better audio quality file playable, since my job dictates that I'm sometimes using music as an analytical tool (not for just listening enjoyment).
Kent E

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

The only downside if you're a former Apple user: No ALAC. If you have numerous ALAC files, you'll have to convert them to FLAC.

Last I'd heard ALAC was supported on Rockbox.

[xendula]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

For those interested in iDevices, Apple just cut the pricing of its 5th Gen iPod touch

• 16GB -- $230 --> $199
• 32GB -- $299 --> $249
• 64GB -- $399 --> $299

They're still overpriced, considering the technology is 3 years old - Apple A5 SOC and only 512MB RAM. They also gave the 16GB model a rear camera. The iPt5 was released in Oct 2012 and is due for a refresh this year.

Release Dates

• iPod touch 1 -- Sep 2007
• iPod touch 2 -- Sep 2008
• iPod touch 3 -- Sep 2009
• iPod touch 4 -- Sep 2010
• iPod touch 5 -- Oct 2012

They now actually offer the 16 GB version (cheapest Touch) in the same slim colorful body as the other ones, instead of the 2010 version they were still selling. I have a droolworthy 5th gen one that I really like, though it does not get as much use as my Android phone or iPad. I wish their Nanos came with iOS on them, so I could install Audible and Overdrive on a tiny device that I can run with. Phones are too darn big these days.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by KentE

It would be immensely valuable to me to have the better audio quality file playable, since my job dictates that I'm sometimes using music as an analytical tool (not for just listening enjoyment).
Kent E

The purpose of FLAC is to give you CD-quality files that take up less space than standard lossless formats. You can rip to FLAC whether the Clip Zip's options are the same as those of the Fuze or not.

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Last I'd heard ALAC was supported on Rockbox.

I believe it depends on which device you're using with Rockbox. I assumed that ALAC would be playable as well, but I haven't had any consistent luck using Rockbox 3.1.3 (the latest version for the Clip Zip) even though the manual lists that format ("Apple Lossless .m4a, .mp4"). The files usually skip or don't play at all, and I've been able to test them with other devices (one of the many advantages of a removable mSD).

FLAC files seem much more reliable so far.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by xendula

I wish their Nanos came with iOS on them, so I could install Audible and Overdrive on a tiny device that I can run with. Phones are too darn big these days.

I've often thought the same thing; except for the running bit. I like the idea of a very small streaming audio player - Audible, OverDrive, AOL Radio, TuneIn Radio, Amazon Music, FM, etc.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I've often thought the same thing; except for the running bit. I like the idea of a very small streaming audio player - Audible, OverDrive, AOL Radio, TuneIn Radio, Amazon Music, FM, etc.

Count me in. I greatly prefer to listen to audiobooks via the Audible/OverDrive/SmarterPlayer apps, so I can bump up the speed.

[curtw]

Originally Posted by xendula

I wish their Nanos came with iOS on them, so I could install Audible and Overdrive on a tiny device that I can run with. Phones are too darn big these days.

iPods will play Audible files with the built-in firmware, no need for a separate app.

You just have to add your existing Audible files to iTunes and sync them--you do not need to make the Audible purchase through Apple.

For Overdrive (DRM'ed WMA files), the Windows software will let you convert the files to AAC and put them on your iPod, but only if the iPod is set to "manually manage music." I haven't found a way to do it with a Mac, but I haven't tried on the last three years, either.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by curtw

iPods will play Audible files with the built-in firmware, no need for a separate app.

You just have to add your existing Audible files to iTunes and sync them--you do not need to make the Audible purchase through Apple.

For Overdrive (DRM'ed WMA files), the Windows software will let you convert the files to AAC and put them on your iPod, but only if the iPod is set to "manually manage music." I haven't found a way to do it with a Mac, but I haven't tried on the last three years, either.

Thanks, but we're aware of that. What we want is the ability to stream, buy, borrow, and download content directly from a Nano and totally bypassing a computer in the process. I'd love to pull out a Nano, tap the OverDrive app, borrow a library book, download it and then listen to it.

[Glorfindel]

then you'd need wifi... and that would make it cost more... and soon a touch would be cheaper

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Glorfindel

then you'd need wifi... and that would make it cost more... and soon a touch would be cheaper

They're cheap. Besides, the nano is already overpriced. No need to raise it higher.

[teija]

For any Canadians in the market for a Kobo Aura, Staples.ca is currently showing them on sale for $109.96 here.

[booklover6]

Today only, current Kindle Paperwhite $85. Certified refurbished. Good deal! Amazon.

[jscarbo]

Originally Posted by booklover6

Today only, current Kindle Paperwhite $85. Certified refurbished. Good deal! Amazon.

This is a great deal for anyone interested. I suspect they'll sell out before the end of the day so, if you want one, grab it quickly. I ordered mine and it's scheduled for delivery on Thursday. Amazon certified reburbished Kindles come with the same one year warranty and free 30 day return as do the new ones. I've bought several in the past and all have been in new condition.

[silverraven]

Originally Posted by booklover6

Today only, current Kindle Paperwhite $85. Certified refurbished. Good deal! Amazon.

Must Resist! Must Resist!
I have waited this long, I KNOW I can wait for the new model to come out in a couple months........
S