Audiobooks discussion

I'm not sure if this article is behind a paywall

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/re...

It talks about wired earbuds vs EarPods or other wireless ones. Benefits include no charging, simpler controls, much lower price, less likely to be lost or damaged. Personally, I will never get the EarPods. My husband loves them but he has also had to recover them from bedclothes, trash can, etc. I know I would drop one in a toilet or have it fall when I'm getting into my car and then run over it. (Both of those things have happened tp me with other small electronics.) If the wired ones break or are lost, they are inexpensive to replace.

Now I'm waiting for the world to rediscover the iPod nano, my go-to audio device for years!

Not to mention the health concerns. Read about wireless buds plasticizing your brain and you'll never want to touch them again. I've been back to wired for a while now, they're just healthier.

Scott S. wrote: "Not to mention the health concerns. Read about wireless buds plasticizing your brain and you'll never want to touch them again. I've been back to wired for a while now, they're just healthier."

I hadn't heard that one. There was a controversy years ago about cell phones causing brain problems (or not) if you held them up to your ear. But hardly anyone uses them that way anymore!

Agreed. I only use wired headphones for exactly those reasons. Plus I always have a spare pair in case I damage a pair. And when I forget to take them out of my pocket it's incredible how well they hold up after being washed and dried! LOL.

Fran wrote: "Agreed. I only use wired headphones for exactly those reasons. Plus I always have a spare pair in case I damage a pair. And when I forget to take them out of my pocket it's incredible how well they..."

Ha ha, I haven't washed mine yet, probably a matter of time. I have caught them in car doors but they are usually still ok. I do have at least one extra pair, and I have the "dongle"(for $20!) that attaches them to the phone if I am listening to that instead of the iPod.

Robin P wrote: "Fran wrote: "Agreed. I only use wired headphones for exactly those reasons. Plus I always have a spare pair in case I damage a pair. And when I forget to take them out of my pocket it's incredible ..."

In our house, laundry isn't in my lane. So if I don't check my pockets they're sure to get laundered. My husband does the laundry but never checks pockets for anyone. He also claims any money 'being laundered' as rightfully his.

Always wired for me. One of my ear canals doesn't like wireless, as well as having experienced a jolting effect at times while out and about.

I've nog used earbuds, wired or not, since at least 7 years. I used to have regular problems with clogged ears. Never since I stopped using those.

During the day I have a wireless over-ears, and during the night in bed, I use very cheap wired soft cushioned simple headphones, that allow me to lie on my side as well. No problems falling asleep using these. I buy them in bulk (10 at a time).

I still have the last iPad that had an audiojack, and would gladly give more money if Apple only would make a model new iPhone with the option of an audiojack plug! Someday I'll have to get the dongle thingy Robin has.

Robin P wrote: "I'm not sure if this article is behind a paywall

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/re...

It talks about wired earbuds vs EarPods or other wireless ones. Benefits includ..."

These are my reasons for not buying the air pods too! Also remember that when you hear people complain about other people watching videos or talking on the phone without ear buds that started when they stopped including them with your phones! I wish they would listen to their customers and give us back the headphones jack! Or better yet bring back the ipod so I can listen to my audiobooks uninterrupted by notifications!

Robin P wrote: "Fran wrote: "Agreed. I only use wired headphones for exactly those reasons. Plus I always have a spare pair in case I damage a pair. And when I forget to take them out of my pocket it's incredible ..."

Same here! My dongle is one that prevents the problem of cutting out a few seconds here and there.

My Galaxy TAB A tablet and my Galaxy A25 5G phone both have headphone jacks. That's why I bought this phone last year. Did a little research and it was mine and I'm pretty happy with this phone. But the only problem is the jack is on the bottom! The tablet is older but the jack is on the top, happily. Before I bought this phone, I actually ordered the Asus Zenfone 10 from Amazon which has the headphone jack on top. Woohoo. It was the only one I could find in my price range that had that option. I use it for audiobooks almost exclusively because 1. it's a small screen and 2. it turns out they lied in the ad and it doesn't accept any USA phone cards so it's pretty useless as a true phone and can't place or receive calls. That really angered me. But I haven't even been using the headphone jacks lately because normally no one is bothered by the sound in my home which is where I usually listen. But if I want privacy and someone is around, then I have successfully used the jack, although it was pretty awkward for me out at the gym on the bike.

MissSusie wrote: Or better yet bring back the ipod so I can listen to my audiobooks uninterrupted by notifications!

For many years I have been buying used/reconditioned but working iPod nanos on eBay. They used to be $30-40 apiece, a bit more now but still a great deal for all the pleasure I get. They are less than 2 inches square, easily fit in a pocket or clip on. I always have 2, since eventually the buttons stick or the device will no longer load (or I temporarily can't find one and Heaven forbid I would go a day without audiobooks!) They have the traditional headphone jack. Of course you need to download books or music to your computer and from there load them to the iPod. It takes a few steps, but works out great, especially if your computer is also Apple. It takes a couple more steps than it used to but even I was able to learn it pretty quickly.

Robin P wrote: "MissSusie wrote: Or better yet bring back the ipod so I can listen to my audiobooks uninterrupted by notifications!

For many years I have been buying used/reconditioned but working iPod nanos on e..."

That actually sounds great and very doable for me, with the size of those devices and the price. I wish/wonder if there is an option for non-Apple users that is comparable.

Some people in this group still use similar devices that are non-Apple, not sure if it was the short-lived Zune or other MP3 devices. They are probably available used as well. If anyone has such a player, feel free to comment.

I have a few SanDisks leftover from when my husband and I both used (and sometimes misplaced and had to rebuy) them. I haven't used them in years and I'd have to dig them out to see if they're still viable. I should do that.

Robin P wrote: "MissSusie wrote: Or better yet bring back the ipod so I can listen to my audiobooks uninterrupted by notifications!

For many years I have been buying used/reconditioned but working iPod nanos on e..."

You know if I cleaned out a couple junk drawers I could probably find a couple old ones I know I had a couple of the little square ones and I had a couple of the the longer rectangle ones too.