Category: accessible Devices
Hi All, I have an i pod and my sister has an mp3 player. We're thinking about trading since mp3 players are more accessible, at least my sister's. She likes I pods though. Which is better and why.
I've had an ipod for a few months, and love it. That being said, I'm not sure I'd recommend one for any blind person who wasn't using a mac. Part of what makes the ipod cool is its integration with itunes, which allows you to autosync, use smart playlists, etc. Last I heard, itunes access under windows isn't so great. There are other ways to get media on the ipod, but with them, I'm not sure the ipod would offer any advantages over any other mp3 player.
If you're looking for a player that's truly accessible, I would recommend the Victor reader stream from humanware.
www.humanware.com
It costs $329, but that's not much more than you'll pay for an inaccessible ipod.
If I were you, I would just go with the IPOD. Its easier to user friendly, its small, you can fit it anywhere, and it's convenient. I know its a bit expensive, but its really a good deal. Just go with the IPOD. MP3 palyers require more work than IPOD'S well, thats what I think.
I don't know much about i-pods, but I have an mp3 player from sampson, and, once I had someone sighted review the menu options, I can use it just fine by myself.
Personally, I agree with Jen on this one. t sounds like the players have already been bought for you and your sister, so its really a choice of what works for you. My mp3 player has an fm radio which I really like, because I've more entertainment options in something the size of a pack of gum. The voice guidance that something like the Stream offers is really nice and useful, but if the machines are already in the two of your hands, to me its a no-brainer. Make the trade. You can copy files using Windows Explorer in the case of many mp3 players. You might try that before you make the swapso nobody is disappointed.
Lou,
Also I Pods are MP3 players just created buy Apple. If your trading with your sister then if you both don't like the switch it's easy to just switch back unless one of you is hard on things.
Good feedback. You can put songs on an mp3 player in windows explorer? Cool! Does that work with certain mp3 players
I've never seen an Ipod, but if you want a cheap and simple and bare-bones player, try the Coby MPC883. It's an extremely basic, screenless, 1 gig player, and all you do is copy your files into the thing using Windows Explorer. If you look around or go on Ebay you can find this for less than 30 dollars brand new. I also found the 512-meg version at an FYE store for 20 bucks back in July.
Hmmmmm..... I've never heard of this one. I'll have to check it out.
Wel, I think I made up my mind. The mp3 player is easy for me to use. No menus to worry about, and I'll try moving files to it in windows explorer.
If you have xp, you shouldn't have a problem using windows explorer to move files onto your mp3 player. That's all I use. grin
Aw excellent. I have xp.
Hi,
I have a Sony 1 gig mp3 player that I just got for my birthday. I have tried moving files to the player using windows explorer, but it hasn't worked. I had an iPod but didn't like it because of iTunes--it is not accessible for blind people!! My sister lost hers and she asked if she can take my iPod and use it, and I didn't have any problem with it. In my personal opinion, iPods suck when it comes to accessibility for blind people!!!! Which brands of mp3 players are accessible for blind people? Mine sucks and it was only $34.
Thanks,
Macy
If you don't want to spend the money for the Victor Stream, you could get an MP3 player called the Zen Stone. they're like 40 bucks at Walmart, and blind friendly.
I have heard of those--in fact, my dad has one. I'll check them out. Do their capacities vary or is it just one capacity? Thanks for your suggestion. I'll check that out.
Thank you.
Macy
are those 30 gig ipods accessible? i want one lol
I gave my sister my old ipod for christmas. She loves it. She gave me her mp3 player. They usually work with windows explorer, at least mine and my dad's mp3 player does.
oh cool.
Here is the thing. I'm looking for an at least twenty gig MP3 player. I'm sorry, but I think a one gig is way too small, and not worth it really. I'd rather be able to take most of my collection with me. Also, Ipods are touch screen, so you have to have rockbox or something to use them. Does anyone know of any twenty gig or more accessible MP3 players?
I've heard that the IRiver International is pretty accessible. It has an FM radio along with a recorder and the big thing for me is the 40GB internal harddrive. I just ordered it today, so I don't know much about it. Good luck.
Hi all,
I think mp3 players are better. They don't require iTunes. I think iTunes is crap.
Hi, I agree with the previous poster. ITunes is most definitely crap in my oppinion as well. There are lots of mp3 players that work. Mine is only maybe 2 gig, not that big. However if accessibility is an issue, perhaps someone sighted can review the menu options with you. I know for myself, I only need three of the menu choices. Hopefully soon, mp3 manufacturers will get it through their heads that blind people would like to access their music as easily as fully sighted individuals. I hear ZenStone and Sansa make good mp3 players, some with larger capacities. I'm not sure how accessible they are though as I don't have one myself. so, you may want to ask on this forum to see if anyone has either of these players. Also, I hear the MuVo is also a good player. I'm not sure how many gigs they hold though. Good luck with your mp3 player search. I know it can be daunting to find a player that you like and that is accessible.
Itunes sux . . My vote is MP3 player just to keep it simple and that way you wont have the issue of messing around with Itunes. . It can also depend on your library, you can try Media Monkey out I am very happy with it. It has Ipod support and handles my large music selection. . . where as itunes crapped out after 10,000 songs. Needless to say Itunes is a easy interface as stated above ZenStone and Sansa are good choices. Careful with software extras with these other mp3 players though . .
Agreed and well said. I'll check it out!
really want an mp3 player and this helps me decide.
I have an iriver, and have had it ffor almost three years now, but now it's time for a new one. Does anyone know of anymore iriver series that are accessible?
I have never heard of that particular brand.