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General Category => Off the Record => Computer Affairs => Topic started by: Razgovory on November 05, 2013, 03:57:19 PM

Title: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: Razgovory on November 05, 2013, 03:57:19 PM
Actually I don't know what they are called anymore.  Doctor says I really should get some exercise and start taking walks everyday.  I figured it would be more bearable if listened to some music while I did it.  Instead of digging out my old Walkman and finding out that nobody sells cassettes anymore I thought I'd buy one of those computer ones.  Like the Ipod or whatever else is on the market.  Looking for something fairly inexpensive that I get music on without much hassle and can carry around easily.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: MadBurgerMaker on November 05, 2013, 04:03:12 PM
Do you already have an iTunes account with music on it and all that?

E:  Well, either way, some version of the iPod is probably your best bet for ease of use, and they aren't all that expensive either.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: Barrister on November 05, 2013, 04:06:27 PM
Seriously, Apple controls something like 80-90% of the personal music player market.

How much you want to spend?  You can buy an iPod Touch for $200+, and you've got a whole mini-tablet in your pocket as well as a music player, or you can get a Shuffle for $50 (not sure the Nano provides good value at $150+ when compared to the Touch).

I think you can also go down to the local electronics store and get a no-name MP3 player for around $20 these days.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: Razgovory on November 05, 2013, 04:18:36 PM
I like the idea of Apples store, where I could just download the music directly from them.  That sounds easy.  I am worried about cost though.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: Barrister on November 05, 2013, 04:22:12 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on November 05, 2013, 04:18:36 PM
I like the idea of Apples store, where I could just download the music directly from them.  That sounds easy.  I am worried about cost though.

Most songs are $0.99.  You can rip any CDs you have for free.

There are means of stealing music off the web, but I don't endorse those.  Talk to Tamas.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: Razgovory on November 05, 2013, 04:27:00 PM
I'm not interested in stealing. :)  I am willing to pay.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: mongers on November 05, 2013, 07:16:08 PM
Raz why not try one of these;

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa-Clip-Player-Black/dp/B002MAPT7U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383696088&sr=8-1&keywords=sandisk+clip+plus (http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa-Clip-Player-Black/dp/B002MAPT7U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383696088&sr=8-1&keywords=sandisk+clip+plus)

Modestly priced, good sound quality, various colours/capacities and the memory is expandable with micro-sd cards. 

Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: garbon on November 05, 2013, 07:39:00 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 05, 2013, 04:06:27 PM
(not sure the Nano provides good value at $150+ when compared to the Touch).

How long does the battery on the touch last though? Is it more like the phone?
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: MadBurgerMaker on November 05, 2013, 07:50:06 PM
The battery on my Touch is back to being pretty good now after a patch.  Instead of completely draining with maybe an hour of use or about 6 hours on standby with no use, it's only down to about 70% after a day (10-12 hours, I guess) of not being charged and with some use.

It isn't like it used to be pre-iOS7, but it's acceptable.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: Tonitrus on November 05, 2013, 08:17:16 PM
If you don't care much about controlling the music while you walk, I think the iPod shuffle is a good buy.  Small, cheap, and can clip to your clothes.  Batter life is pretty good.

You can also buy music from Amazon and it can funnel the purchased music right to iTunes.  A Nano might be good too, and while I am not sure, it might be able to pick up FM radio as well.

Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: garbon on November 05, 2013, 08:23:13 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on November 05, 2013, 08:17:16 PM
You can also buy music from Amazon and it can funnel the purchased music right to iTunes.  A Nano might be good too, and while I am not sure, it might be able to pick up FM radio as well.

Yeah I have the nano and it has an FM radio (that's actually what I used during Sandy last year to find out if it was safe to leave my powerless apartment :)). I generally purchase most of my music through amazon.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: Grey Fox on November 05, 2013, 08:28:29 PM
I am guessing you don't have a smartphone?

Can the Kindle Fire play music? You have one of those, no?
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: MadBurgerMaker on November 05, 2013, 08:34:27 PM
Seems like it'd be a pain to carry around a Kindle Fire while exercising. 
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: garbon on November 05, 2013, 08:48:37 PM
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on November 05, 2013, 08:34:27 PM
Seems like it'd be a pain to carry around a Kindle Fire while exercising. 

Right? The appeal of the nano is it is so small.

And no GF - I do have the one from work but again battery life is a concern.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: Grey Fox on November 05, 2013, 10:47:33 PM
Quote from: garbon on November 05, 2013, 08:48:37 PM
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on November 05, 2013, 08:34:27 PM
Seems like it'd be a pain to carry around a Kindle Fire while exercising. 

Right? The appeal of the nano is it is so small.

And no GF - I do have the one from work but again battery life is a concern.

I was asking Raz but all modern gizmos have piss poor battery life & need to be charged daily.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: garbon on November 05, 2013, 10:52:08 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on November 05, 2013, 10:47:33 PM
Quote from: garbon on November 05, 2013, 08:48:37 PM
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on November 05, 2013, 08:34:27 PM
Seems like it'd be a pain to carry around a Kindle Fire while exercising. 

Right? The appeal of the nano is it is so small.

And no GF - I do have the one from work but again battery life is a concern.

I was asking Raz but all modern gizmos have piss poor battery life & need to be charged daily.

Ah gotcha. I'd wager the simple mp3 players aren't that way - particularly that shuffle.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: Vricklund on November 08, 2013, 05:58:36 PM
I use my smartphone and spotify. For on the go listening I could never go back to the hassle of mp3s again. Battery drain is perfectly acceptable as long as I don't fiddle too much with the screen.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: Razgovory on November 12, 2013, 08:03:08 PM
I actually like the idea of a curated store, like Apple has.  I'm already signed up with Amazon through my Kindle, If I could use something that would download music from amazon, that would be great.  I would go with Apple but the price for the hardware seems... excessive.  If all else fails, I'll go with the Shuffle.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: Syt on November 13, 2013, 08:38:10 AM
Quote from: mongers on November 05, 2013, 07:16:08 PM
Raz why not try one of these;

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa-Clip-Player-Black/dp/B002MAPT7U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383696088&sr=8-1&keywords=sandisk+clip+plus (http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa-Clip-Player-Black/dp/B002MAPT7U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383696088&sr=8-1&keywords=sandisk+clip+plus)

Modestly priced, good sound quality, various colours/capacities and the memory is expandable with micro-sd cards.

I have one of those for my commute to work (don't need to listen to annoying people's phone calls at 8 am) and it's good for that.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: mongers on November 13, 2013, 03:14:06 PM
Quote from: Syt on November 13, 2013, 08:38:10 AM
Quote from: mongers on November 05, 2013, 07:16:08 PM
Raz why not try one of these;

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa-Clip-Player-Black/dp/B002MAPT7U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383696088&sr=8-1&keywords=sandisk+clip+plus (http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa-Clip-Player-Black/dp/B002MAPT7U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383696088&sr=8-1&keywords=sandisk+clip+plus)

Modestly priced, good sound quality, various colours/capacities and the memory is expandable with micro-sd cards.

I have one of those for my commute to work (don't need to listen to annoying people's phone calls at 8 am) and it's good for that.

Yeah I'd certainly get one of the recent versions, few months back I partially fried mine by wiring it up to a faulty solar charger, but I now rarely use public transport to justify one.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: viper37 on November 18, 2013, 12:57:30 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on November 05, 2013, 03:57:19 PM
Actually I don't know what they are called anymore.  Doctor says I really should get some exercise and start taking walks everyday.  I figured it would be more bearable if listened to some music while I did it.  Instead of digging out my old Walkman and finding out that nobody sells cassettes anymore I thought I'd buy one of those computer ones.  Like the Ipod or whatever else is on the market.  Looking for something fairly inexpensive that I get music on without much hassle and can carry around easily.
buy the iPod if you like overpriced and über small devices.  If you want something you can handle with a man's hand, look for some Android device.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: garbon on November 18, 2013, 01:00:34 PM
Quote from: viper37 on November 18, 2013, 12:57:30 PM
If you want something you can handle with a man's hand

:huh:

Do men lack dexterity?
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: MadBurgerMaker on November 18, 2013, 01:52:08 PM
Quote from: viper37 on November 18, 2013, 12:57:30 PM
buy the iPod if you like overpriced and über small devices.  If you want something you can handle with a man's hand, look for some Android device.

I, too, think immediately of the various gigantic Android devices when I read that someone is looking for something to easily carry around while exercising.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: MadBurgerMaker on November 18, 2013, 01:54:05 PM
Quote from: garbon on November 18, 2013, 01:00:34 PM
:huh:

Do men lack dexterity?

If I try to use anything smaller than my Optimus G Pro (5.5" screen), my hands just lock up and become useless.  Because I'm manly, you see.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: garbon on November 18, 2013, 01:55:31 PM
:lol:
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: viper37 on November 19, 2013, 12:01:12 AM
Quote from: garbon on November 18, 2013, 01:00:34 PM
Quote from: viper37 on November 18, 2013, 12:57:30 PM
If you want something you can handle with a man's hand
:huh:

Do men lack dexterity?
They usually have bigger hands than children.  an iPod is a pricey children's toy, nothing more.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: viper37 on November 19, 2013, 12:02:16 AM
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on November 18, 2013, 01:52:08 PM
I, too, think immediately of the various gigantic Android devices when I read that someone is looking for something to easily carry around while exercising.
I tried again this week-end, and I just couldn't work with one of those things.  I maintain that it's perfect for little girls.  Even if you're training, there are better solutions.
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: garbon on November 19, 2013, 12:46:29 AM
So perhaps, v, the common element is you. I think you could vouch that I'm not a little girl and I've no issue using my nano. :P
Title: Re: Thinking of one of those portable music player thingies.
Post by: Maladict on November 22, 2013, 08:23:08 AM
http://www.cowonglobal.com/
My 5 y.o. iAudio7 still gets me ~50 hrs battery life.
Better sound quality than iPods too (back then, at least. don't know (or care) about the new ones).