Current Audiobook Specials

[tubemonkey]

Last week, Target had the Moto G on sale for $60.

This BF, I plan to get a no contract phone for use as a media player.

[skinmaan]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Last week, Target had the Moto G on sale for $60.

This BF, I plan to get a no contract phone for use as a media player.

I am about 2 days away from having to buy a new player. I was going to get the same thing (SGP) because nothing else out there in that category comes close, but it is out of date as you say.

How does one of these no-contract phones work as a media player? Can you use them out of the box? Do you have to "activate" them? Can you side-load apps (like Amazon appstore)? I'm intrigued by this conversation and you may have me changing my mind.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by skinmaan

I am about 2 days away from having to buy a new player. I was going to get the same thing (SGP) because nothing else out there in that category comes close, but it is out of date as you say.

How does one of these no-contract phones work as a media player? Can you use them out of the box? Do you have to "activate" them? Can you side-load apps (like Amazon appstore)? I'm intrigued by this conversation and you may have me changing my mind.

A no contract phone works out of the box. Don't activate it and keep it in airplane mode when not using WiFi; otherwise it keeps trying to activate itself, thereby draining your battery. These phones are carrier specific and come with carrier bloatware.

The android phones come with Google Play and it's really easy to put the Amazon Appstore on them. My minimums for one of these are: 4-8 GB storage (preferably 8 GB or higher), 1 GB RAM, mSD, And 4.1 and up, dual-core CPU. I prefer a 4" display, but that's a personal preference and YMMV.

Remember; the better the specs, the longer it'll be able to use newer apps before needing a hardware upgrade. But then; if you can get one for under $50, it'll end up costing you less than $2 per month over the life of the device.

In terms of use, pretend it's a 4" tablet and go from there.

[Catlady]

Thanks, Tubemonkey. That Moto G sure looks nice. But I'd have to get an unlocked one, and those prices are a lot higher at Amazon. Or unlock it myself, but that process scares me. I really do want to be able to use the device as a phone, otherwise I think I'd go for a larger screen tablet I can use as an e-reader.

ETA: Hmm. Now I'm looking at the Moto E--$130 unlocked. Less memory, only one camera, but otherwise the specs seem pretty similar, and it will work with my carrier (AT&T). A little more than I wanted to spend, but if there's a sale ...

[tubemonkey]

Attn UK Listeners

Amazon's Whispersync comes to UK

Whispersync for Voice, Amazon’s feature which allows for synchronised reading and listening across devices, has been made available in the UK for the first time.

The technology launched in the US in 2012, and allows people to switch between reading a Kindle book and listening to the corresponding audiobook without losing their place. It is available on Kindle devices, Kindle for Android and Kindle for iOA, and has been launched by Amazon UK and Audible.co.uk.

To promote the launch, Amazon is giving away 10 titles for a limited time.

Kindle Books with Audio Companions -- 32,000+ titles

• Classics for 99p -- 17 titles
• Add Audiobook from £2.99 -- 40 titles

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Thanks, Tubemonkey. That Moto G sure looks nice. But I'd have to get an unlocked one, and those prices are a lot higher at Amazon. Or unlock it myself, but that process scares me. I really do want to be able to use the device as a phone, otherwise I think I'd go for a larger screen tablet I can use as an e-reader.

ETA: Hmm. Now I'm looking at the Moto E--$130 unlocked. Less memory, only one camera, but otherwise the specs seem pretty similar, and it will work with my carrier (AT&T). A little more than I wanted to spend, but if there's a sale ...

YW; using it as a phone does complicate matters and narrows your options in terms of low pricing. How long can you wait? BF is just 3 months away.

When it comes to phones, I'm old school. I still use a flip phone

[skinmaan]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

A no contract phone works out of the box. Don't activate it and keep it in airplane mode when not using WiFi; otherwise it keeps trying to activate itself, thereby draining your battery. These phones are carrier specific and come with carrier bloatware.

The android phones come with Google Play and it's really easy to put the Amazon Appstore on them. My minimums for one of these are: 4-8 GB storage (preferably 8 GB or higher), 1 GB RAM, mSD, And 4.1 and up, dual-core CPU. I prefer a 4" display, but that's a personal preference and YMMV.

Remember; the better the specs, the longer it'll be able to use newer apps before needing a hardware upgrade. But then; if you can get one for under $50, it'll end up costing you less than $2 per month over the life of the device.

In terms of use, pretend it's a 4" tablet and go from there.

Thanks. Based on this (and the fact that the Moto G doesn't have a SD slot) I think I'll get another SGP until I can do some more research. Something I have been considering is an unlocked phone, which I think would do away with the searching problem.

[skinmaan]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Attn UK Listeners

Amazon's Whispersync comes to UK



To promote the launch, Amazon is giving away 10 titles for a limited time.

Kindle Books with Audio Companions -- 32,000+ titles

• Classics for 99p -- 17 titles
• Add Audiobook from £2.99 -- 40 titles

Damnit - they've got some different titles in that list. I need to learn how to send my computer on a little overseas vacation...

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

YW; using it as a phone does complicate matters and narrows your options in terms of low pricing. How long can you wait? BF is just 3 months away.

When it comes to phones, I'm old school. I still use a flip phone

I had a flip phone till last year when it broke. I don't have a data plan, I just use the apps with wifi. Definitely I will wait for a sale; I don't want to go over $100--I'm only thinking of it now because of the library and KU situations (the Axis 360 app is incompatible with my phone, as are the KU with narration books).

And apps that worked originally on my phone no longer work--like the one for my bank. I can't even play Candy Crush!

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by skinmaan

Thanks. Based on this (and the fact that the Moto G doesn't have a SD slot) I think I'll get another SGP until I can do some more research. Something I have been considering is an unlocked phone, which I think would do away with the searching problem.

I have an unlocked Nexus 4 (16GB) that set me back $250. Great 4.7" tablet, but too bulky for everyday carry as an audio player. That's why I plan to get a no contract phone this BF.

BTW, I believe the LTE version of the Moto G has a card slot; but it costs more.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I had a flip phone till last year when it broke. I don't have a data plan, I just use the apps with wifi. Definitely I will wait for a sale; I don't want to go over $100--I'm only thinking of it now because of the library and KU situations (the Axis 360 app is incompatible with my phone, as are the KU with narration books).

And apps that worked originally on my phone no longer work--like the one for my bank. I can't even play Candy Crush!

Soon, I'll start a new Black Friday thread and deals on no-contract/unlocked phones will be tracked and discussed. I want to get the best bang for my buck.

My favorite game at the moment is Chimpact - I got it last year as a FAOTD

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I have an unlocked Nexus 4 (16GB) that set me back $250. Great 4.7" tablet, but too bulky for everyday carry as an audio player. That's why I plan to get a no contract phone this BF.

BTW, I believe the LTE version of the Moto G has a card slot; but it costs more.

I may have to too. I love my Samsung Galaxy Players but Amazon has phase me out with their new Prime music and now Kindle Unlimited. For now the old apps work for basic stuff but still.

[tch65721]

Originally Posted by skinmaan

Something I have been considering is an unlocked phone, which I think would do away with the searching problem.

I'm confused as to why everyone seems focused on unlocked phones. ATT locked phones work on ATT and their MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). ATT locked phones work just fine on services (MVNOs) like Airvoice, H2O etc... I'm using a ATT locked phone on H2O right now.

Further, Congress accidentally did something right and made it legal to unlock your own phone.

[skinmaan]

Originally Posted by tch65721

I'm confused as to why everyone seems focused on unlocked phones. ATT locked phones work on ATT and their MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). ATT locked phones work just fine of services (MVNOs) like Airvoice, H2O etc... I'm using a ATT locked phone on H2O right now.

Further, Congress accidentally did something right and made it legal to unlock your own phone.

The point is (at least mine) is that i don't want a phone! (Emphasis is frustration at the situation not at you.) I want a device to carry and use with a Wi-Fi network. I want an android device. Most manufacturers have stopped (or never started) pursuing devices for those who don't want a $30 data bill. My discussion of an unlocked phone vs. a no contract phone was TM's comment that when active it is always trying to look for the 3G network and "register," which drains battery life. An unlocked phone isn't pre-programmed to a network and would not exhibit this type of behavior.

It's the nature of the market today, the consensus is that everyone wants a single device and a massive bill to go alone with it. It makes looking for a reasonably-sized, reasonably-priced device (I could always get a 7" wi-fi tablet for cheap, but that is too big) next to impossible.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Blossom

I may have to too. I love my Samsung Galaxy Players but Amazon has phase me out with their new Prime music and now Kindle Unlimited. For now the old apps work for basic stuff but still.

Samsung isn't very good at upgrading the OS on their cheaper devices. When you buy one of their cheap no-contract phones, expect no upgrades on the OS.

Newer features are leaving older devices behind. Pity, since they're still capable devices.