Ask Jo: How I Listen Now

A week ago I got an email from a blog reader asking about how to transfer audio books from the computer to her MP3 Player.  I just cringed.  I hate those questions.  Everyone has a different computer and a different operating system.  Some people are on Windows 10…some aren’t.  Some people are downloading from a audio book store that I use some aren’t so there is no way for me to know if I’m not using the same computer, the same system, the same stores and the same MP3 player.

It also brought to light for me that I haven’t really kept you updated on how I am listening now.  I don’t use an MP3 Player anymore.  I used to use a SanDisk 8GB Clip Jam MP3 Player .  It worked just fine but I always had to have headphones on when I used it.  It wasn’t my favorite set up but that’s where I was with technology at the time and it worked so that’s what I used.

From there I listened on my smart phone.  I have a Samsung Galaxy S6.  I liked it but listening drained my phone.  I ended up purchasing this Samsung EP-PG920IBUGUS Wireless Charging Pad with 2A Wall Charger.  The charger is awesome.  I set my phone on it….I don’t have to plug it in and charges.  That works great in the kitchen when I’m cooking.  Best yet, I use it almost like a docking station so that if I’m home, my phone stays there so I can always  usually find it.

All of that was great and I liked it then I converted yet again.  Now that I listen to books through so many different apps and avenues I found it easiest to listen via a Kindle.  I bought this one  Fire Tablet, 7″ Display, Wi-Fi, 8 GB – Includes Special Offers, Black.  I bought mine for $39.  Right now, they are on sale for that price.  The offer ends tomorrow..I think.  Then they will be back at $49.

For me, this is what works the best and is the most bang for my buck.  I told the lady who asked about these Kindles and she was under the impression that a Kindle was only for reading.  That’s wrong.  This is really a tablet or mini computer.  It operates much like a smart phone.  You navigate by swiping a finger.

As I said I now listen through many different avenues.  I listen via my online library.  They use an app called Overdrive.  To listen I simply download the app by going to the app store and downloading the free Overdrive app.  Then I go to my online library, pick an audiobook and it goes straight to my Kindle.  It’s so easy.  No transferring is involved.

Mary Jo my Lacrosse blog readers told me about Hoopla.  It’s a way of listening to audio books too.  Again I went to the app store and downloaded the Hoopla app…I can go to Hoopla and get a book and it’s delivered right to my Kindle…no transferring.

I also am an Audible girl so…again to the app store to get the free Audible app then to Audible and my audio book is delivered right to my Kindle.  You can try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks by following the link.  That’s how I got started with them.

The greatest thing about the Kindle is there are so many other things you can do with it too….read Kindle books….listen to music….search the internet….read my blog…skype your grandkids…scroll Facebook…pretty much anything and everything you can do with a computer on the internet you can do with a Kindle as long as you have WiFi.  You can even listen to Bonnie Hunter’s Quilt Cam with your Kindle.

One thing to note is that initially to download an audio book or Kindle book you need WiFi.  Once it’s downloaded you don’t.

I listen to a lot of music and even watch movies on my Kindle because I have  Amazon Prime .  It’s a subscription and cost $99 a year but we order so much from Amazon that we make out just fine with it.

In the end I recommended to my blog readers who emailed to simply purchase a Kindle.  The only draw back that is it doesn’t work the best if you want to use it when you walk.  Then it’s a little big or awkward to carry if you’re listening to a book.  It’s about 5″ x 7″ or so.  That’s why I still use my phone for some books.  That way if I’m walking Ruby I can still listen and walk and only have to have my phone with.

The speakers on the Kindle aren’t real loud so I often use this wireless speaker JAM Rewind Wireless Speaker  that I first learned about from Bonnie Hunter.  I love it and it’s easy to use.

So I guess the bottom line is this….as technology changes, I change too.  Once I did have an MP3 player…now I use a Kindle.