It’s not a big deal, but I find it interesting that, even after yesterday’s refresh of the iPod line, the iPod shuffle still ships with earbuds, not Apple’s EarPods. It’s the only device that includes these headphones.
Personally, I don’t like the EarPods; they fall out of my ears too easily. I’ve actually ordered a new iPod shuffle – in Red – because I like the idea of such a small, light device for listening to audiobooks. It’s good that it will have earbuds; I’m not sure I still have any that work.
I am an Audible member, for to listen to their audiobooks, I believe one needs their app. How do you listen on a Shuffle?
You can sync Audible files to any iPod or iOS device; you’ve been able to do so pretty much forever.
You will need to key in your Audible username and password in iTunes on your Mac/PC.
So the fact that you can’t have the app itself on the Shuffle doesn’t prevent you from playing books on it? I’m wondering how that would work. Are you using Audible?
If I recall correctly, Apple did a partnership with Audible in the very early days of iPods, and iTunes has always recognised Audible’s DRM. For more information on how to listen to Audible’s audiobooks on iTunes and iPods, you can read here: http://audible.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5077/related/1
I just checked: all iPods, since the very first model, have supported Audible.
It’s interesting to note, for those who don’t remember, that the very first portable MP3 player was sold by Audible. Since audiobooks don’t take up much space, it was possible to have such a device with very limited storage. From Wikipedia:
The first production-volume portable digital audio player was The Audible Player (also known as MobilePlayer, or Digital Words To Go) from Audible.com available for sale in January 1998, for USD $200. It only supported playback of digital audio in Audible’s proprietary, low-bitrate format which was developed for spoken word recordings. Capacity was limited to 4 MB of internal flash memory, or about 2 hours of play, using a custom rechargeable battery pack. The unit had no display and rudimentary controls.
That’s great to know. Thanks so much for your answers.
I am an Audible member, for to listen to their audiobooks, I believe one needs their app. How do you listen on a Shuffle?
You can sync Audible files to any iPod or iOS device; you’ve been able to do so pretty much forever.
You will need to key in your Audible username and password in iTunes on your Mac/PC.
So the fact that you can’t have the app itself on the Shuffle doesn’t prevent you from playing books on it? I’m wondering how that would work. Are you using Audible?
If I recall correctly, Apple did a partnership with Audible in the very early days of iPods, and iTunes has always recognised Audible’s DRM. For more information on how to listen to Audible’s audiobooks on iTunes and iPods, you can read here: http://audible.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5077/related/1
I just checked: all iPods, since the very first model, have supported Audible.
It’s interesting to note, for those who don’t remember, that the very first portable MP3 player was sold by Audible. Since audiobooks don’t take up much space, it was possible to have such a device with very limited storage. From Wikipedia:
The first production-volume portable digital audio player was The Audible Player (also known as MobilePlayer, or Digital Words To Go) from Audible.com available for sale in January 1998, for USD $200. It only supported playback of digital audio in Audible’s proprietary, low-bitrate format which was developed for spoken word recordings. Capacity was limited to 4 MB of internal flash memory, or about 2 hours of play, using a custom rechargeable battery pack. The unit had no display and rudimentary controls.
That’s great to know. Thanks so much for your answers.
Download Audible files to your computer, add to iTunes, then sync as usual.
Download Audible files to your computer, add to iTunes, then sync as usual.