Do You Like to Listen to Audio Books? Check out Playaway...

Once mainly of interest to people with vision difficulties, books have been available on tape and cdroms for years, decades even. Once portable players became ubiquitous, listening to books moved more into the mainstream. When it came to purchasing, content tended to be pricey, but was available from the library (so long as one was patient), as well as from stores which specialized renting in such fare for a reasonable fee.

Naturally, with the rise of devices which could play digital audio files (even before the iPod), people began to want to have their audio books in these formats. At the present time, I'd have to say that the venerable Audible.com rules the digital audio book space. There are also a number of sites where one can download free audio book files, mostly stories and books which fall into the public domain, including OTR - Old Time Radio - on which the copyright has expired.

The space is crowded and it's hard to come up with something new, but Playaway has entered the audiobook market with a smashing product: an all-in-one device that contains both the audio book and a player. I have not yet had the opportunity to try one out - and I will let you know when I do - but the website is quite detailed and comments from other reviewers are quite revealing.

The package is completed by a set of in-the-ear headphones. The sound is said to be of good quality, and the jack is universal so a better pair of headphones can be used to further improve the listening experience. And of course, it can be attached to speakers to share the listening experience. Additionally, the design of the unit is compatible with "most commonly available cassette adapters and FM transmitters".

On the Playaway, along with an LCD screen which can switch between chapter time remaining and information, eight buttons are evident:

* Volume (levels 1 through 10)
* Reverse (go back 15 seconds)
* Fast Forward (go forward 15 seconds)
* Voice Speed (3 levels)
* Bookmark (can set up to 50), Skip Forward (skip to next bookmark or chapter)
* Skip Back (skip back to last bookmark or chapter)
* and the 'Playaway' button which powers off/on as well starts/stops the audiobook.

The Playaway is not a disposable item as it runs on an easily accessible and replaceable AAA battery which is projected to last approximately 12 hours of playing time. Most of the audiobooks will run between six and twenty hours, and the company thoughtfully provides an extra battery if the book runs longer than 12 hours. Those prone to losing small items - the device is about half the size of a deck of cards - will find the included lanyard to be a lifesaver.

One thing I find especially comforting about the people behind Playaway is that they encourage you to give away your Playaway when you are finished with it and they even have a page to help you share it.

Playaway prices start at U$34.99 (listing) and can be bought online or in person at Borders, Barnes and Noble and Office Max.