Podcast Listening Devices: Help, Please

[Kim323]

Really, I'm not as ignorant of technology as this post would intimate, but yes, pretty ignorant, try as I might. My question: what devices are available to listen to podcasts (especially The Paracast, of course!) so that I could listen in bed AND would have the feature of fast forward to use J.T.'s "cheat sheet" to skip the ads? I listen currently to podcasts on my desktop on a table a few feet from my bed, so getting up multiple times and fast forwarding isn't an option. Is there, by any wild chance, a "remote" that would do it? Part of the "atmosphere" of enjoying The Paracast for me is that it's night and I get slightly drowsy, so are there any small devices I don't know about I could have right there in bed while I listen? But, no earphones. I can't stand them. Any advice/suggestions about devices much appreciated. I edited this to remove a bit of the emotional tone about the ads. Nothing inappropriate, but need to stick to the topic. I realize the ads are essential to the show. And I do emphasize that the ads by Gene are actually enjoyable to listen to, very professional, and for products I would consider myself. Thanks for any help on this.

 

[mike]

I use a small laser brand mp3/4 player like this

Buy Cheap Laser 4GB Q13 MP4 Player - Silver, Built-in Speaker & FM

Mine cost 20 bucks, it has a FF function.

It has a built in speaker but i connect mine to a small aker brand personal amp

Amazon.com: Aker Voice Amplifier 10watts Black MR1506, Portable, for Teachers, Coaches, Tour Guides, Presentations, Costumes, Etc.: Electronics

With this i can take my paracast and dark matters podcasts anywhere, i use this combo to listen while gardening or beer bottleing and other household chores, if im on a train i use the headphones.

Both devices have onboard rechargable batterys

Hopefully helpful

 

[Cabal]

Smart phone? Thats what I use with dogg catcher app.

 

[Cabal]

What is this cheat sheet you speak of?

 

[mike]

What is this cheat sheet you speak of?

Paracast Cheat Sheet | The Paracast Community Forums

 

[Kim323]

I use a small laser brand mp3/4 player like this

Buy Cheap Laser 4GB Q13 MP4 Player - Silver, Built-in Speaker & FM

Mine cost 20 bucks, it has a FF function.

It has a built in speaker but i connect mine to a small aker brand personal amp

Amazon.com: Aker Voice Amplifier 10watts Black MR1506, Portable, for Teachers, Coaches, Tour Guides, Presentations, Costumes, Etc.: Electronics

With this i can take my paracast and dark matters podcasts anywhere, i use this combo to listen while gardening or beer bottleing and other household chores, if im on a train i use the headphones.

Both devices have onboard rechargable batterys

Hopefully helpful

Thanks, Mike! I will definitely look into your recommendation. A question: will this mp3/4 player also access the archived shows? I listen to The Paracast after the actual airings of the shows. I have wireless internet in my home, if that's of any relevance. Thanks. Kim

 

[Gene Steinberg]

You can download any episode from our site. They are all standard MP3 files and should work fine on any player or any personal computer running Mac OS, Windows or even Linux. Apple's iTunes has over 300 episodes listed, but that seems to be the cap for them. Older episodes aren't coming up; I have to check with them about this limitation.

 

[mike]

Gene has answered the question, but yes you can listen to archived shows on these devices, just right click on the episode and do a save as, i save to my hard disk drive first, then copy it to the device.
The device connects via a usb cable, and will pop up on the PC as a removable drive

 

[Kim323]

Thanks, Mike and Gene! I'll definitely look into an mp3/4. I appreciate the help. Kim

 

[mike]

Thanks, Mike and Gene! I'll definitely look into an mp3/4. I appreciate the help. Kim

As you said you dont like headphones, and while these devices do have an inbuilt speaker, i recommend an external speaker like
Moshi BLUE BassBurger bass burger SPEAKER ipod/Mp3 Player loudspeaker external | eBay

But ive seen these much cheaper than this in stores, our local Aldi supermarket had something similar for 20 bucks recently

Heres a cheaper one
Mini Portable Speaker for iPod iPhone MP3 Mobile Phone | eBay

 

[bentupper]

I use the Google Listen app on my Android phone. This gives me 3 options for listening to the show, build in speaker, headphones, or Bluetooth (my personal favorite).The app is great and works really well. Also has Fast forward and Rewind options.

 

[Secretbanana]

iPad anybody? (or Android tablet... iPads are in general easier to recommend though)

I like listen to the show on my iPad (iTunes makes it really easy) I have a speaker-dock I can put it in, so that headphones aren't necessary.

A speaker dock will cost you anywhere from 50$ and up to several hundred dollars...