Kindle

[One Planer]

Evening chaps.

Looking for a bit of help on the subject of Kindles.

My wife and I are looking to get her father a Kindle for Christmas. Not such a big deal you say, but you haven't heard the question yet.

My Father-in-Law is blind. To this end we need to know if the Kindle will play Audio books that can be read out using the Kindles built in speakers??

Also

Does it have an audio jack for headphones?

Any help appreciated as always.

 

[RichardC]

Not sure about the audio book side of it, but it does have a headphone socket.

 

[G1BB0]

here you go
http://www.geek.com/articles/gadget...ible-audio-books-directly-over-wifi-20110325/

 

[G1BB0]

sounds spot on for in bed actually or on the beach, audible books are great although I haven't listened to one for a few years

 

[palindromicbob]

there is a few players for audio book designed for the visually impaired. usually modified mp3 players with tactile controls. probably better than a kindle for this purpose.

 

[One Planer]

Any links PB?

I was looking for something similar last night with no luck.

 

[G1BB0]

RNIB lists a few, apparently called DAISY players
http://www.rnib.org.uk/shop/Pages/Category.aspx?Category=Portable_DAISY_players

not cheap though

 

[One Planer]

Cheaper to get the Kindle fella

I could buy nearly 4 kindles for th price of those!!!

 

[G1BB0]

yup, you would think they would be cheaper as not exactly state of the art and packed full of features. I guess its like all items aimed for a specific market (especially those medically impaired)

 

[palindromicbob]

AS G1bbo has pointed out those would be the best due to being designed for the purpose you want them although price point isn't the best. You should see if there are any advice groups in your area to assist people with sensory impairments. They may be able to advise you what is best or even how to get discounts etc.

The other option if going off the shelf would be to look at something like the more basic button based mp3 players. This need not be expensive as you don't need massive storage for audiobooks and the difficulty of navigating menus means that it may be better to store only a few books to listen to at a time and change these when need be. Basically choosing one which you feel provides the most tactile controls. Something like an older ipod with the center wheel may be suitable. The fact it provides audio feedback for button presses etc is a plus although menus etc are very much visually driven.

Cheaper text only display mp3 players tend to be better for sightless control in my experience if you get me. Even something like the 2nd or 4th generation ipod shuffle which has no display and raised control area is quite user friendly although physically very small.

There is such a range of third party speakers of all sizes for mp3 players that what ever you choose you could also get a small speaker so he need not worry about having to use headphones all the time either.

Sorry if I have just thrown a big curve ball your direction just thought the kindle might not be the best option as it is a visually driven device and you really want something that is audio driven.

 

[Evesdad]

My wife has one just checked and yes there is a headphone jack and it will play any of the books in audio, although it's like being read to by a cross between Stephen hawkin and a speak and spell!!

 

[One Planer]

Thanks all for the replies.

I'm gong to pop down to a store later and cop hold of the sales gaff and see what he recommends.

Thanks again.

 

[Slicer30]

Gareth - I just got one of these for my birthday.

I have the one with the Keyboard and Wifi.

you can also turn on a setting called Voice Guide, which will read out anything that you navigate to in the menu. e.g if you hit the "home" button it would announce that you were in the home page and also tell you what the cursor has selected.

As well as audio books, there is is an option called "text to speech" which effectively reads out any text on the screen. e.g a tutorial which is not an audio book, can also be read aloud.