mp3 player for blind person

bogwalrus

Hi all. I need some help with figuring out the best audio player solution for my blind aunt who does not live near me at all.

I have this idea of buying her two very simple mp3 players. One that shuffles ted talks, the other to have a few audio books that she can easily listen to and will continue from last location each time she turns on the device.

The complicated part of this request is that I want to be able to update the files via the internet.

So the device needs to be on the cloud where I can just drag and drop files onto her mp3 players when she has them connected to her internet.

Is there any options for me out there?

Thanks,
Boggy

Mattyking

I think that some companies should jump out to help by making some devices the blind people could use with ease.

gctest50

Ipod Nanos have speech output, might be easy to sync them with itunes or something

http://www.apple.com/accessibility/other-products/

bogwalrus wrote: »

...
The complicated part of this request is that I want to be able to update the files via the internet.
.....

you could put a something like a raspberry pi in a box,

put it in a case with a replaceable USB socket :

http://www.maplin.ie/p/neutrik-usb-panel-mount-socket-n57fl

use gnupod or similar

https://www.gnu.org/software/gnupod/

then you could enable remote access to the pi

or have the pi keep itself in sync with a remote folder that you update or whatever

easy enough


random bits :

talking gps
http://store.humanware.com/europe/trekker-breeze-plus-handheld-talking-gps.html

Digital Accessible Information SYstem players n stuff

http://www.daisy.org/tools/hplayback

.

bogwalrus

gctest50 wrote: »

Ipod Nanos have speech output, might be easy to sync them with itunes or something

http://www.apple.com/accessibility/other-products/




you could put a something like a raspberry pi in a box,

put it in a case with a replaceable USB socket :

http://www.maplin.ie/p/neutrik-usb-panel-mount-socket-n57fl

use gnupod or similar

https://www.gnu.org/software/gnupod/

then you could enable remote access to the pi

or have the pi keep itself in sync with a remote folder that you update or whatever

easy enough


random bits :

talking gps
http://store.humanware.com/europe/trekker-breeze-plus-handheld-talking-gps.html

Digital Accessible Information SYstem players n stuff

http://www.daisy.org/tools/hplayback

.

I really like this idea. It has got me thinking that the player does not really have to be portable as she usually sits in the same chair. Meaning i can have something fixed and always plugged in.

I will look into the raspberry pi. I am visiting her sunday so i have two days but i can visit maplin tomorrow and a few hours work i should have things up and running.

Thanks!

gctest50

panel mount socket for the headphones/speaker is good, no bother replace if it gets broken

this one has RFID reader, dead cute

http://willemvanderjagt.com/

cormie

What about an Android smart phone with OK Google? It could be very beneficial for her in more ways too and could answer all kinds of questions, do all kinds of commands like "ok google, call bogwalrus", playing music, maths calculations, navigating and a lot more. You could easily sync the files or set her up on a cloud streaming service or similar. There's probably loads of other things that are possible too and it will only get better over time.

I'd say you should go for a device with Android 6.0 as I believe the voice commands are even better with this addition: http://www.howtogeek.com/230987/how-to-use-google-now-on-tap-android-6.0s-best-new-feature/

If the phone has a compatible teamviewer remote control app, you'd be able to do remote support for her. The only thing is, she'll need 3g or wifi to use everything above, but there's unlimited deals out there for as little as €25 a month and they could easily replace any home phone line deal.

bogwalrus

I never thought about a phone tbh. She has a bog standard phone at the moment that she never charges and maybe that is why it never came to mind. I actually have an iphone 4s lying around. Do you think that would do the job with siri. I need to get it charged and see what it can do.
Thanks for the two great replies above!

cormie

I'd always advocate Android. You might be much better off with Android given its openness, you might find you'd be able to manage it a lot better for her remotely where you might run into restrictions with Apple. I'm not sure what Siri is like compared to Google now, but given Google is all interconnected with maps, music, email, youtube and everything else, it could be the best choice.

You should have no problem shifting an ipohone 4s ad you could put that money towards an android 6.0 compatible device. I think it's defintely worth a try and if it gets her keeping her phone charged etc, she might find people calling her more and not feel so isolated if this is an issue currently.

bogwalrus

I have spent the last few hours messing with both siri and google voice and i believe it will be so so useful if i iron out a few bits.

I am going to get her bluetooth headphones so she can activate the voice recognition and just leave the phone where it is plugged in. This sorts the charging issue.

I must then teach her how to play her music, her books and make calls. I think it will be easy enough. The fact she can also ask any question is such an added bonus. I am really excited about this tbh.

Any recommendation on apps where i can store files remotely for her to listen to?

Qualitymark

Maybe contact Trinity College, where they have a whole department specialising in technology for the blind.

cormie

With storage of the music and files, google again has a solution, google play music can do the following in the free version:

Listen on Android iOS, and the web
Store up to 50,000 of your iTunes® songs
Get recommendations based on your taste

It says you can download songs for offline use in the paid version, but I imagine you can maybe download the songs you've uploaded yourself in the free version, or else just put these on google drive or sync them some how to the device.

By the way, if you have music on the actual phone, it can play these songs immediately by voice command. I just tested it there, you have to be slightly specific...

"Ok google play anything by Leonard Cohen" opened up search results for Leonard Cohen
"Ok google play something from my collection of Leonard Cohen" opened up search results again

Both of these are no use really to your aunt as she can't see the results.

I got more specific and said "Ok google, play songs of love and hate by leonard cohen" and was told "Sure" and the album started playing immediately

So I guess if you make sure everything is tagged and titled properly (I'm not sure if Google goes by id3 tags or filename when identifying requested music - it arranges by tag however in the file view of Google play music) she'll be able to play it all by a voice command.


Just incase you have problems activating Google Now from the headset, have a look at these:

http://forums.androidcentral.com/htc-one-m8/451856-can-i-make-my-bluetooth-activate-google-now-instead-voice-dialer.html

http://forum.xda-developers.com/general/accessories/ok-google-doesnt-via-bluetooth-headset-t3120559

https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/websearch/-cTsRAVV5F4

Again, I think Android 6.0 resolves the issue mostly hopefully

There's a lot of bluetooth headset options available, I prefer the compact earphone ones and own a few different pairs.

The best pair I bought are "Bluetooth Earphones, Ultra-light Wireless Bluetooth 4.1 Headphones Headset Earbuds, built-in HD Microphone AptX for Sports/Gym/Exercise with iPhone Sa
Sold by: GRDESUPPLY £27.99" : http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B012VW9HV2

but now nothing shows up on that page

Another pair I have are these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00Q8IZW38?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

They have great sound quality and a really good fit in the ear. The problem I have with them, which may be specific to my phone as I haven't tested them on other phones and posted a question on amazon where nobody else seemed to have the same problem, but the volume doesn't go low enough, if you're in a really quiet place and want just a low volume bit of music to relax and maybe fall asleep to. Also again this could be just with my phone, but when I go to make a call, the first ring or two usually comes in at full blast and is really loud, then it quietens down to whatever volume you have it set to.

The first pair I linked to didn't have these problems and had the great fit and also had a really light control panel, which on other ones I've worn can weigh the cable down and make it easy to pop out of your ear.

bogwalrus

Thanks Cormie once again.

I was messing with google music and it has no commands to stop, pause etc. Very frustrating. But as you say you can request specific albums to play and use the headset to stop rather than google voice.

The other issue is that google voice does not work while androids TalkBack function is activated. The talkback is really great and i have been messing with it for a while but definitely a steep learning curve. Although if I just have 3 apps installed on the main screen she should be able to get the hang of it.

At least I have loads of options now.

Regarding the headset the one I have does not let me activated google voice using the headset microphone. I will have a look through the links you posted to see if i can resolve the issue.

So at this point it really is a choice between the google voice/now or using the android talkback function.

Qualitymark

What about Siri?

bogwalrus

Qualitymark wrote: »

What about Siri?

i have a 4s beside me and will definitely have a go with that and after i have exhausted both phones and their features ill choose a winner.=)

cormie

I'm not familiar with talkback, I assume it just reads whatever is on the screen?

I just had a quick look and saw this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.RSen.Commandr&hl=en

seems to be able to do a few things Google now doesn't yet, but Google now has apparently come a long way in a short time so I imagine it'll be constantly improving and will catch up soon enough, but it's a solution for now at least.

gctest50

Soundblaster and others have NFC and bluetooth for easy pairing, you can stop/start music etc by pressing the sides

8 hours battery etc, sure there's better out there

http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Blaster-EVO-Wireless-Headset/dp/B00D34A1G8

bogwalrus

I managed to get her setup with my old iphone 4s and siri. I find Siri was that bit better at controlling the media commands. I installed a loads of media directly on to the phone. It is a steep learning curve for her. She is 97 after all. Thanks again for all advice!!

cormie

Great stuff, hope it works out well for her!

Clearlier

bogwalrus wrote: »

I managed to get her setup with my old iphone 4s and siri. I find Siri was that bit better at controlling the media commands. I installed a loads of media directly on to the phone. It is a steep learning curve for her. She is 97 after all. Thanks again for all advice!!

Sounds like you've got it sorted but if it's of any help my wife who is blind loves her iphone. If you go into settings you can change it to turn the screen reader on. My only hesitation with that is that you have to change the way that you navigate with the phone which can take a bit of getting used to and a little dexterity to use three fingers instead of one sometimes. My wife uses it for radio, television, email and internet - everything really! I hope it works out well for you but if you want me to ask her any specific questions just shout.

the_syco

Check out The DAISY Consortium, which has a list of devices for the blind. Don't know anyone who have used their products, however.

Perhaps contact DeafHear to see if they can recommend somewhere in Ireland that sells devices for the blind?

bogwalrus

the_syco wrote: »

Check out The DAISY Consortium, which has a list of devices for the blind. Don't know anyone who have used their products, however.

Perhaps contact DeafHear to see if they can recommend somewhere in Ireland that sells devices for the blind?

Wow thanks for those links. Their mp3 players would be ideal. The simple controls etc. Cheers!

gctest50

these yokes too

http://store.humanware.com/europe/trekker-breeze-plus-handheld-talking-gps.html