Standalone MP3 Player for Elderly Mum

WrightAnvil on 28/11/2017 - 11:13

I'd like a recommendation for an standalone MP3 player (combined hardware / software device) for my Mum, so she can listen to podcasts that may interest her. Mum is elderly, has Macular degeneration and cannot read small writing, and is NOT tech savvy.

Ideally I'd like something along these lines:-

a. I can download podcast episodes, transfer these to USB and post this to Mum. (Note the use of a micro SD card or similar would be much too difficult for Mum.)
b. Mum can easily plug this into some form of MP3 player
c. The player needs to be very EASY to use (I think you get the drift …. someone who can't read small print and is not tech savvy).
d. Portable with built-in speaker
e. Hopefully the associated software part of the player is intuitive, easy to replay a bit, fast forward a bit, etc
f. When finished listening to all the files on the USB, Mum can unplug it and I'll send a fresh set of episodes on another USB stick.

Thank you in advance, any recommendation would be warmly appreciated.

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Quantumcat on 28/11/2017 - 11:45

    Can she use a computer at all? If she can connect an iPod to iTunes, you can access the account it is linked to and add/remove files, and all she has to do when she wants new stuff is sync it up (simple as plugging the iPod into the computer with a USB cord and opening up iTunes. Possibly pressing a button or two (been a while since I used it)).

    Anyway if you can find a cheapish one you could practice on your computer and see how easy/difficult it would be (if too difficult - iDevices hold their value so you shouldn't lose out when you resell it).

    • WrightAnvil on 28/11/2017 - 11:54

      Thank you for your reply. Mum has a computer, which she uses only for solatire, however no Internet. She isn't at all confident using a computer, hence her decision some time ago to stop paying for an Internet service she wasn't using.

      This is why I'm looking for a standalone device where I can do all the computer stuff downloading episodes and simply post a USB stick.

      • Quantumcat on 28/11/2017 - 12:39

        Ah I see what you mean. You can add files to iTunes from the computer but that would probably require more computer literacy than your mum has.

        Edit: I found this: https://www.amazon.com/Haoponer-Portable-Digital-Display-Spe…
        Might not be EXACTLY what you're looking for, but it's a step in the right direction!

        • WrightAnvil on 28/11/2017 - 13:19
          +1

          Thank you again, certainly is and well priced too :)

      • havebeerbelywillsumo on 28/11/2017 - 13:38

        This would require some tinkering from you but may be a solution - use autorun facility in windows to run progs on a USB stick on insertion. Note WIN 7 & 10 restricted this feature.

        Article and possible workarounds here (note the included link to more fully cover Win 7)

        http://www.samlogic.net/articles/autorun-usb-flash-drive.htm

        • WrightAnvil on 28/11/2017 - 13:51

          Thank you for your reply. An interesting idea, now to ask Mum the OS of her laptop :)

  • Darn Ragnar on 28/11/2017 - 12:50
    +1

    Have you considered a mobile phone? Set up a cheap android phone with Podcast Addict (Or another free podcast app) and set it to automatically download when on WiFi and automatically delete when the episode is finished. It also has a built in speaker as you requested.
    The only other setup would be the WiFi access which is usually free at local libraries and they would help set her up.

    • WrightAnvil on 28/11/2017 - 13:25

      Thank you for your reply. No, I hadn't thought of using a mobile phone, an interesting idea. I also like the WiFi approach and will do some research about what's available in the country town in which she lives.

  • D C on 28/11/2017 - 12:59

    Those sort of things went away a few years ago unfortunately.

    You can still get clock radios that'll take a USB stick.

    An alternative is a CD player that can handle MP3 files, they're still around: https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/sony-portable-cd-player-zsps5…

    A disc might be easier for her to handle than a USB stick.

    Seems this one: https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/sony-portable-cd-player-zsps5… does CD & USB.

    • WrightAnvil on 28/11/2017 - 13:33

      Thank you for your reply. I like the idea of your solution as Mum is familiar with a portable CD player. Also your comment that a disc might be easier to handle is a valid point, and believe a play, FF, RW controls would be very manageable for her. Also I appreciate the link.

  • idonotknowwhy on 28/11/2017 - 14:00
    +1

    You might not need to buy anything. Most TVs these days have USB-ports and can play mp3 files.
    Surely she's familiar with the TV remote.
    If you're lucky, you just plug the USB drive into the TV, and it'll pop-up with the file browser with huge filenames.

    • WrightAnvil on 28/11/2017 - 21:02

      Thank you for your reply. That's an awesome idea!

      Mum's TV has a USB port and she is familiar with using the remote to navigate, via the source option, to the area where an inserted USB drive shows on the screen. I'm very exited with this option for the the reasons you state, ease of use, familiarity and large font. Thank you again for reply and thinking 'outside the square' :)

  • HighAndDry on 28/11/2017 - 14:03
    +2

    Why not, instead of buying USB drives and posting those to your mum, just buy cheap small MP3 players and post those instead? The price difference isn't actually that large, and once you have a dozen or so, you can just collect them from your mum every few months when you go to visit. Something like this:

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/USB-2-0-Flash-Drive-LCD-MP3-Musi…

    $9.97 Delivered, 8GB capacity from Aust. Or:

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Blue-4GB-USB-LCD-MP3-Player-w-FM…

    $9.95 Delivered, 4GB capacity from China.

    Both obviously made in China, but you'll get the first a little faster.

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