Best Device for Playing Audiobooks - for the Vision Impaired

barge-in hunter on 14/06/2024 - 11:59

Hi Ozb brains-trust

Looking for some advice; an elderly relative is gradually losing their sight, to the point where they can no longer read small print books (their favourite hobby :sad-face:).

So - I want to get them a simple to use device that's good for those with vision impairment. I plan to load it up with a subscription to an audiobook service.

Has anyone found a good device/app solution for something like this? I'm across the Android vs Apple scene reasonably well, but never had to deal with vision accessibility aspects.

Also keen to hear any suggestions on audiobook services if you have any - the only one I've used is Audible.

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • spackbace on 14/06/2024 - 12:00
    +3

    A google home device so they can just say "hey google, play Harry Potter on Audible" ?

    Scrub that, doesn't seem to work by voice command, so Alexa it is

    All voice commands

    • barge-in hunter on 14/06/2024 - 12:43

      Thanks @spackbace, hadn’t considered a smart speaker.

      I feel like the experience might be a bit clunky when say, they want to browse the next book to read - if that makes sense.

      • spackbace on 14/06/2024 - 13:21

        Not really, they could still ask Siri what the next book in the series is, then another separate command to play that book

        Far better using their voice than trying to look at a device and navigate the text

    • boomramada on 14/06/2024 - 12:44

      Google will work with Spotify - Audio Books

  • dtc on 14/06/2024 - 12:12
    +2

    If you are after a portable device then both apple and android phones have vision impaired capabilities, whether very large text or reading text or (as mentioned) alexa or siri can handle a lot of stuff. Can potentially link it to a bluetooth speaker or just have headphones (or the phones speakers arent too bad nowadays)

    Vision Australia might be a better port of call than ozbargain… https://www.visionaustralia.org/technology-products/resource…

    • barge-in hunter on 14/06/2024 - 12:45

      Great call; might check out what they suggest.

      Was originally thinking maybe a tablet for more screen space/larger text, but you’ve got a good point.

  • scrimshaw on 14/06/2024 - 12:28
    +3

    The Amazon smart speakers like Echo can access audible.

    https://www.reddit.com/r/audible/comments/tioup3/audible_for…

  • jv on 14/06/2024 - 12:37
    +2

    If you can, wait for the Amazon Prime Day sales in a few weeks.

    • theHMASfriendship on 14/06/2024 - 15:15

      What if they can't?

      • jv on 14/06/2024 - 15:21

        Phone a friend…

        • theHMASfriendship on 14/06/2024 - 16:17
          +3

          What if you don’t have any friends?

          Asking for a friend

  • AustriaBargain on 14/06/2024 - 16:36
    +1

    Blind people can use smartphones, loads of YouTube videos of blind people explaining how. I'd assume the Audible app is accessible to blind people, considering it is for audiobooks. But I have been known to be wrong. From time to time.

  • Davo1111 on 14/06/2024 - 22:47
    +1

    Tablet? I'd be looking at both android and iOS from an accessibility pov

    Tried Reddit?

  • try2bhelpful on 16/06/2024 - 13:26
    +1

    As others have said a lot of devices can play audiobooks.

    If you are looking for content I would subscribe to a local library and see what they have with downloadable audio books. I agree that talking to Vision Australia would give you some ideas on the practicalities and what software they recommend.

    Best of luck for your relative. Losing your sight would be tough.

    • barge-in hunter on 17/06/2024 - 16:10

      Thanks so much; I didn't realise the libraries had audiobooks. Also seems that for those with a little bit of sight left, iPads are a good option.

      Appreciate it - they're definitely struggling

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