Gadgetell Review: Playaway audio book
Product: Playaway audio book
Price: $34.99-49.99 depending on the title
Rating: Excellent 8.0/10.0
Pros: Preloaded with audio book, excellent title selection, easy navigation, audio bookmarks, can attach FM transmitter
Cons: Expensive for a single title, single use, limited volume control, hard to read LCD screen
Overall:This is a great product for the less than technologically inclined consumer, without an MP3 player.
The Playaway unit is a digital book that is preloaded onto a MP3 player. This is the best option for those of you (or your mother, father, sister, grandma, dog) that doesn’t have the time, effort, knowledge, or desire you near by to fiddle around with a iPod or other MP3 player to upload an audio book. Playaway requires no other gadgets nor synching required.
The unit runs for twelve hours on one AAA battery (slightly less for me), that can be replaced. They wisely designed it with a pull tag to activate the battery, preventing the package from arriving with a dead battery (they even include a spare). The front of the unit has an hard to read LCD screen especially for older people (possibly the ones that this unit is targeted to) that shows the time, chapter, and actions when other buttons are pressed. It has a ten step volume control that can only be adjusted in series so it get much louder before you can lower the volume. It has three reading speeds, forward, reverse, and a bookmark function that lets you store up to 50 locations per book.
The device was very easy to use and not only supports any headphones (they do supply a pair) but also FM transmitters for use in your car. Playaway will sell very well in airports, train stations, rest stops, and more but be prepared to pay a chunk of change for it, prices start at $34.99 and go up. While convenience and simplicity is certainly worth something after only 5 books you could have gone out and bought a cheap MP3 player and some computer training classes to learn how to load books onto it. Hey, you can always try and sell it to a friend for them to give it a read listen once your done.
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Interesting concept, but way too expensive. I could maybe see this being offered in my University library.
on April 18, 2006 at 08:52 PM - LINK