?

Hi Everyone

As batteries are more reliable now, I don't have a problem with fixed batteries.

However, when my Stream packed up last year I bought a new one. Now the old one serves as a battery charger, as it is so easy to swap the batteries between the streams.

Pele

?

Hi Ray,

?

Non-removable batteries may also not be popular because users will typically own their Streams for longer than they own their phones (I believe there was a 10-year gap between the release of Streams 2 and 3), so a Stream may well outlast its battery.

?

As well as your shipping cost point, there’s also the rather obvious issue that you are without your device if you have to ship it off to get its battery replaced.? At least if the device – albeit with a dud or dying battery - is in your possession, you can still use it on mains power if you want to.

?

Cheers,

?

Ed

?

?

I think the issue or fear around changing to user none-replaceable batteries has much to do with the cost of replacement than anything else.? This came up on last week's Mosen at Large, and one comment from the UK cited the ?20 each way cost for postage charged by Humanware UK, not to mention the cost of the batteries as well.

?

If the price turns out to be even higher then factoring in total price of ownership over over say 3 - 4 years might weigh with some potential buyers.

?

More important to me is going to be if Humanware have come up with a solution to accessing BBC Sounds radio streams scemelessly, or is it going to be another case of the Beeb going out of its way to alienate even more listners?

?

Ray.

?

Hi Steve

?

Agreed, I have no issues with fixed batteries.

?

Regards

Adrien

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Steve Nutt
Sent: 10 February 2023 11:02
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [dap-uk] Interviews on Victor Stream 3

?

Hi,

?

The way battery technology is now, a non-removable battery should last a long time.

?

I have phones here that I have had for two or three years, without any battery issue. I don’t see what the fuss is about.

?

All the best

Steve

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Rea Lists
Sent: 10 February 2023 10:55
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [dap-uk] Interviews on Victor Stream 3

?

thanks for this claire.? Have listened to both of these.

?

I have heard that podcast chapter support will be included on the new Stream in forthcoming updates.? that was on Vision Australia's podcast I think.

?

Jonathan Mosen's forthcoming podcast wil include contributors who think not having a user-replaceable battery is a mistake.? I tend to agree, especially if it means we may end up paying more for replacement batteries.

?

Ray.

?

On 10/02/2023 10:41 am, claire amoroso wrote:

Hi everyone?

Here are a few links to interviews with Matthew Paquette on the VR Stream 3:

One on Talking Tech from Vision Australia Radio

?

And one from Mystic Access:

?

Happy listening!

Claire?

?

I think the issue or fear around changing to user none-replaceable batteries has much to do with the cost of replacement than anything else.? This came up on last week's Mosen at Large, and one comment from the UK cited the ?20 each way cost for postage charged by Humanware UK, not to mention the cost of the batteries as well.

?

If the price turns out to be even higher then factoring in total price of ownership over over say 3 - 4 years might weigh with some potential buyers.

?

More important to me is going to be if Humanware have come up with a solution to accessing BBC Sounds radio streams scemelessly, or is it going to be another case of the Beeb going out of its way to alienate even more listners?

?

Ray.

?

Hi Steve

?

Agreed, I have no issues with fixed batteries.

?

Regards

Adrien

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Steve Nutt
Sent: 10 February 2023 11:02
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [dap-uk] Interviews on Victor Stream 3

?

Hi,

?

The way battery technology is now, a non-removable battery should last a long time.

?

I have phones here that I have had for two or three years, without any battery issue. I don’t see what the fuss is about.

?

All the best

Steve

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Rea Lists
Sent: 10 February 2023 10:55
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [dap-uk] Interviews on Victor Stream 3

?

thanks for this claire.? Have listened to both of these.

?

I have heard that podcast chapter support will be included on the new Stream in forthcoming updates.? that was on Vision Australia's podcast I think.

?

Jonathan Mosen's forthcoming podcast wil include contributors who think not having a user-replaceable battery is a mistake.? I tend to agree, especially if it means we may end up paying more for replacement batteries.

?

Ray.

?

On 10/02/2023 10:41 am, claire amoroso wrote:

Hi everyone?

Here are a few links to interviews with Matthew Paquette on the VR Stream 3:

One on Talking Tech from Vision Australia Radio

?

And one from Mystic Access:

?

Happy listening!

Claire?

Hi Steve

?

Agreed, I have no issues with fixed batteries.

?

Regards

Adrien

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Steve Nutt
Sent: 10 February 2023 11:02
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [dap-uk] Interviews on Victor Stream 3

?

Hi,

?

The way battery technology is now, a non-removable battery should last a long time.

?

I have phones here that I have had for two or three years, without any battery issue. I don’t see what the fuss is about.

?

All the best

Steve

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Rea Lists
Sent: 10 February 2023 10:55
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [dap-uk] Interviews on Victor Stream 3

?

thanks for this claire.? Have listened to both of these.

?

I have heard that podcast chapter support will be included on the new Stream in forthcoming updates.? that was on Vision Australia's podcast I think.

?

Jonathan Mosen's forthcoming podcast wil include contributors who think not having a user-replaceable battery is a mistake.? I tend to agree, especially if it means we may end up paying more for replacement batteries.

?

Ray.

?

On 10/02/2023 10:41 am, claire amoroso wrote:

Hi everyone?

Here are a few links to interviews with Matthew Paquette on the VR Stream 3:

One on Talking Tech from Vision Australia Radio

?

And one from Mystic Access:

?

Happy listening!

Claire?

?

Hi,

?

The way battery technology is now, a non-removable battery should last a long time.

?

I have phones here that I have had for two or three years, without any battery issue. I don’t see what the fuss is about.

?

All the best

Steve

?

?

thanks for this claire.? Have listened to both of these.

?

I have heard that podcast chapter support will be included on the new Stream in forthcoming updates.? that was on Vision Australia's podcast I think.

?

Jonathan Mosen's forthcoming podcast wil include contributors who think not having a user-replaceable battery is a mistake.? I tend to agree, especially if it means we may end up paying more for replacement batteries.

?

Ray.

?

Hi everyone?

Here are a few links to interviews with Matthew Paquette on the VR Stream 3:

One on Talking Tech from Vision Australia Radio

?

And one from Mystic Access:

?

Happy listening!

Claire?

?

Well I don’t know if there is a Google Action as they call it, for TNs, I think they mainly concentrate on Alexa, which is a bit sad, because the Google system is much more reliable.

?

All the best

Steve

?

?

Yes Claire, I know there's a TN skill but be damned if I can recall the command you use to install it and the various prompts to navigate tracks.

?

Yes, we are on Alexa and I know some do listen that way.? As for the Google smart speakers not sure how you do it on that platform but I do have a Google Nest now, which so far is the easiest way around the BBC Sounds access for listening to BBC radio.

?

Ray.

?

Hi all

I believe there already is a UK Talking Newspapers Skill for Alexa.

Claire?

---

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Steve Nutt <steve@...>
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2023 3:11:30 PM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [dap-uk] Talking USB player

?

Hi Ray,

?

Have TNs considered smart speakers?

?

If for example, a TN created an Alexa skill, then one could say “Play The North Herts Talking Newspaper”, or whatever. Then you can jump forward and back by track etc.

?

Google devices would also do this, and they are really not expensive devices.

?

All the best

Steve

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Rea Lists
Sent: 15 February 2023 14:39
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [dap-uk] Talking USB player

?

For once I tend to agree with you Steve.

?

I was chided some time ago for criticising the first set of USB players that went out to TN listeners - and they were cheap, cheaper than the ones that Kings Audio no longer sell.

?

I am all too familiar with the problems of giving out players to our listners most of whom I am guessing would not be on our circulation list if we did not supply them free of charge.? Even to distribute them at a subsidised cost would be too much to many of them.? In fact we post out a dozen or more CD copies of our TN to listners who put them in a DVD player to listen.? Even taking into account free postage and donations we get toward running costs it is still a headache keeping it all going.

?

Very few listen on the internet - and some who do get help doing that.? I have often wished for an easy to use internet player with (dare I say) buttons! but no sign of a cheap one in the offing and come to that, an easy and really cheap internet connection to allow this to be done.

?

All that is just to flag up the issues we and so many talking newspapers have catering to what is, in the great majority, an elderly audience.

?

I could and often have been tempted to suggest making TNs more entertaining and maybe even getting a licence to use limited amounts of copyright music, but I fear that would go down like a led baloon!? Many of the groups producing TNs are a rather conservative lot who have been doing it for years, and want things to stay more or less as they are.? That's not to be overtly critical of them.? Many have given years to regularly putting out the news and for no financial gain.? I know that all too well.? I have been doing it for more than 20 years.? Given the regular comitment no wonder there are very few volunteers coming forward these days, though I will say that mobile phones and tablets have made the recruiting of readers much easier, and younger ones at that.

?

Enough of the nuts and bolts, but TN listener or not this Cobolt offering looks like a good alternative to the much higher priced alternatives, but I have doubts as to how durable it will turn out to be.

?

Ray.

?

?

?

On 15/02/2023 02:11 pm, Steve Nutt wrote:

Hi Ray,

?

I think the problem is that we are asking for cheap and bells and whistles. We are not going to get that.

?

For example, cheap USB players don’t folder hop.

?

So the question to all TNs really, is what would be the highest price one would pay for such a device.

?

I could be manufactured with folder hopping, but you wouldn’t get it for 20 quid.

?

All the best

Steve

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Rea Lists
Sent: 15 February 2023 13:50
To: [email protected]
Subject: [dap-uk] Talking USB player

?

This rather small and inexpensive player has had a mention recently on the Talking News Federation email list.? As you will see from the description pasted below, it does quite a lot for the ?19.95 asking price.? A downside? is it has a micro USB socket

?

Its smallness probably means those with dexerity problems might find it hard going to operate.

?

Many will be aware the Sovereign players formerly sold by a UK retailer are no more so talking newspapers are scouting around for a cheap replacement.? Other have been found but often the lack of a facility to skip between folders on a pendrive is lacking.? Many TNs use folder structures to separate the main news part of their papers from any additional magazine material they may offer.

?

Ray.

?

Talking USB Player

This compact 2” cube USB player will allow you to listen to audiobooks and music. With its sleek design, lightweight and rechargeable battery, it is ideal for travel. The unit has a built in FM radio, bluetooth connectivity, a micro SD card reader and an AUX port. The device has a loudspeaker and a headphone port for private listening. You can change modes with the touch of a button. The device will announce its current position ie: “play via USB”. The unit requires a Micro USB lead (included), and it supports MP3, MP4 and WAV files.

?

Yes Claire, I know there's a TN skill but be damned if I can recall the command you use to install it and the various prompts to navigate tracks.

?

Yes, we are on Alexa and I know some do listen that way.? As for the Google smart speakers not sure how you do it on that platform but I do have a Google Nest now, which so far is the easiest way around the BBC Sounds access for listening to BBC radio.

?

Ray.

?

Hi all

I believe there already is a UK Talking Newspapers Skill for Alexa.

Claire?

---

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Steve Nutt <steve@...>
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2023 3:11:30 PM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [dap-uk] Talking USB player

?

Hi Ray,

?

Have TNs considered smart speakers?

?

If for example, a TN created an Alexa skill, then one could say “Play The North Herts Talking Newspaper”, or whatever. Then you can jump forward and back by track etc.

?

Google devices would also do this, and they are really not expensive devices.

?

All the best

Steve

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Rea Lists
Sent: 15 February 2023 14:39
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [dap-uk] Talking USB player

?

For once I tend to agree with you Steve.

?

I was chided some time ago for criticising the first set of USB players that went out to TN listeners - and they were cheap, cheaper than the ones that Kings Audio no longer sell.

?

I am all too familiar with the problems of giving out players to our listners most of whom I am guessing would not be on our circulation list if we did not supply them free of charge.? Even to distribute them at a subsidised cost would be too much to many of them.? In fact we post out a dozen or more CD copies of our TN to listners who put them in a DVD player to listen.? Even taking into account free postage and donations we get toward running costs it is still a headache keeping it all going.

?

Very few listen on the internet - and some who do get help doing that.? I have often wished for an easy to use internet player with (dare I say) buttons! but no sign of a cheap one in the offing and come to that, an easy and really cheap internet connection to allow this to be done.

?

All that is just to flag up the issues we and so many talking newspapers have catering to what is, in the great majority, an elderly audience.

?

I could and often have been tempted to suggest making TNs more entertaining and maybe even getting a licence to use limited amounts of copyright music, but I fear that would go down like a led baloon!? Many of the groups producing TNs are a rather conservative lot who have been doing it for years, and want things to stay more or less as they are.? That's not to be overtly critical of them.? Many have given years to regularly putting out the news and for no financial gain.? I know that all too well.? I have been doing it for more than 20 years.? Given the regular comitment no wonder there are very few volunteers coming forward these days, though I will say that mobile phones and tablets have made the recruiting of readers much easier, and younger ones at that.

?

Enough of the nuts and bolts, but TN listener or not this Cobolt offering looks like a good alternative to the much higher priced alternatives, but I have doubts as to how durable it will turn out to be.

?

Ray.

?

?

?

On 15/02/2023 02:11 pm, Steve Nutt wrote:

Hi Ray,

?

I think the problem is that we are asking for cheap and bells and whistles. We are not going to get that.

?

For example, cheap USB players don’t folder hop.

?

So the question to all TNs really, is what would be the highest price one would pay for such a device.

?

I could be manufactured with folder hopping, but you wouldn’t get it for 20 quid.

?

All the best

Steve

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Rea Lists
Sent: 15 February 2023 13:50
To: [email protected]
Subject: [dap-uk] Talking USB player

?

This rather small and inexpensive player has had a mention recently on the Talking News Federation email list.? As you will see from the description pasted below, it does quite a lot for the ?19.95 asking price.? A downside? is it has a micro USB socket

?

Its smallness probably means those with dexerity problems might find it hard going to operate.

?

Many will be aware the Sovereign players formerly sold by a UK retailer are no more so talking newspapers are scouting around for a cheap replacement.? Other have been found but often the lack of a facility to skip between folders on a pendrive is lacking.? Many TNs use folder structures to separate the main news part of their papers from any additional magazine material they may offer.

?

Ray.

?

Talking USB Player

This compact 2” cube USB player will allow you to listen to audiobooks and music. With its sleek design, lightweight and rechargeable battery, it is ideal for travel. The unit has a built in FM radio, bluetooth connectivity, a micro SD card reader and an AUX port. The device has a loudspeaker and a headphone port for private listening. You can change modes with the touch of a button. The device will announce its current position ie: “play via USB”. The unit requires a Micro USB lead (included), and it supports MP3, MP4 and WAV files.

Hi all

I believe there already is a UK Talking Newspapers Skill for Alexa.

Claire?

---

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Steve Nutt <steve@...>
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2023 3:11:30 PM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [dap-uk] Talking USB player

?

Hi Ray,

?

Have TNs considered smart speakers?

?

If for example, a TN created an Alexa skill, then one could say “Play The North Herts Talking Newspaper”, or whatever. Then you can jump forward and back by track etc.

?

Google devices would also do this, and they are really not expensive devices.

?

All the best

Steve

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Rea Lists
Sent: 15 February 2023 14:39
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [dap-uk] Talking USB player

?

For once I tend to agree with you Steve.

?

I was chided some time ago for criticising the first set of USB players that went out to TN listeners - and they were cheap, cheaper than the ones that Kings Audio no longer sell.

?

I am all too familiar with the problems of giving out players to our listners most of whom I am guessing would not be on our circulation list if we did not supply them free of charge.? Even to distribute them at a subsidised cost would be too much to many of them.? In fact we post out a dozen or more CD copies of our TN to listners who put them in a DVD player to listen.? Even taking into account free postage and donations we get toward running costs it is still a headache keeping it all going.

?

Very few listen on the internet - and some who do get help doing that.? I have often wished for an easy to use internet player with (dare I say) buttons! but no sign of a cheap one in the offing and come to that, an easy and really cheap internet connection to allow this to be done.

?

All that is just to flag up the issues we and so many talking newspapers have catering to what is, in the great majority, an elderly audience.

?

I could and often have been tempted to suggest making TNs more entertaining and maybe even getting a licence to use limited amounts of copyright music, but I fear that would go down like a led baloon!? Many of the groups producing TNs are a rather conservative lot who have been doing it for years, and want things to stay more or less as they are.? That's not to be overtly critical of them.? Many have given years to regularly putting out the news and for no financial gain.? I know that all too well.? I have been doing it for more than 20 years.? Given the regular comitment no wonder there are very few volunteers coming forward these days, though I will say that mobile phones and tablets have made the recruiting of readers much easier, and younger ones at that.

?

Enough of the nuts and bolts, but TN listener or not this Cobolt offering looks like a good alternative to the much higher priced alternatives, but I have doubts as to how durable it will turn out to be.

?

Ray.

?

?

?

On 15/02/2023 02:11 pm, Steve Nutt wrote:

Hi Ray,

?

I think the problem is that we are asking for cheap and bells and whistles. We are not going to get that.

?

For example, cheap USB players don’t folder hop.

?

So the question to all TNs really, is what would be the highest price one would pay for such a device.

?

I could be manufactured with folder hopping, but you wouldn’t get it for 20 quid.

?

All the best

Steve

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Rea Lists
Sent: 15 February 2023 13:50
To: [email protected]
Subject: [dap-uk] Talking USB player

?

This rather small and inexpensive player has had a mention recently on the Talking News Federation email list.? As you will see from the description pasted below, it does quite a lot for the ?19.95 asking price.? A downside? is it has a micro USB socket

?

Its smallness probably means those with dexerity problems might find it hard going to operate.

?

Many will be aware the Sovereign players formerly sold by a UK retailer are no more so talking newspapers are scouting around for a cheap replacement.? Other have been found but often the lack of a facility to skip between folders on a pendrive is lacking.? Many TNs use folder structures to separate the main news part of their papers from any additional magazine material they may offer.

?

Ray.

?

Talking USB Player

This compact 2” cube USB player will allow you to listen to audiobooks and music. With its sleek design, lightweight and rechargeable battery, it is ideal for travel. The unit has a built in FM radio, bluetooth connectivity, a micro SD card reader and an AUX port. The device has a loudspeaker and a headphone port for private listening. You can change modes with the touch of a button. The device will announce its current position ie: “play via USB”. The unit requires a Micro USB lead (included), and it supports MP3, MP4 and WAV files.

?

?

For once I tend to agree with you Steve.

?

I was chided some time ago for criticising the first set of USB players that went out to TN listeners - and they were cheap, cheaper than the ones that Kings Audio no longer sell.

?

I am all too familiar with the problems of giving out players to our listners most of whom I am guessing would not be on our circulation list if we did not supply them free of charge.? Even to distribute them at a subsidised cost would be too much to many of them.? In fact we post out a dozen or more CD copies of our TN to listners who put them in a DVD player to listen.? Even taking into account free postage and donations we get toward running costs it is still a headache keeping it all going.

?

Very few listen on the internet - and some who do get help doing that.? I have often wished for an easy to use internet player with (dare I say) buttons! but no sign of a cheap one in the offing and come to that, an easy and really cheap internet connection to allow this to be done.

?

All that is just to flag up the issues we and so many talking newspapers have catering to what is, in the great majority, an elderly audience.

?

I could and often have been tempted to suggest making TNs more entertaining and maybe even getting a licence to use limited amounts of copyright music, but I fear that would go down like a led baloon!? Many of the groups producing TNs are a rather conservative lot who have been doing it for years, and want things to stay more or less as they are.? That's not to be overtly critical of them.? Many have given years to regularly putting out the news and for no financial gain.? I know that all too well.? I have been doing it for more than 20 years.? Given the regular comitment no wonder there are very few volunteers coming forward these days, though I will say that mobile phones and tablets have made the recruiting of readers much easier, and younger ones at that.

?

Enough of the nuts and bolts, but TN listener or not this Cobolt offering looks like a good alternative to the much higher priced alternatives, but I have doubts as to how durable it will turn out to be.

?

Ray.

?

?

?

Hi Ray,

?

I think the problem is that we are asking for cheap and bells and whistles. We are not going to get that.

?

For example, cheap USB players don’t folder hop.

?

So the question to all TNs really, is what would be the highest price one would pay for such a device.

?

I could be manufactured with folder hopping, but you wouldn’t get it for 20 quid.

?

All the best

Steve

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Rea Lists
Sent: 15 February 2023 13:50
To: [email protected]
Subject: [dap-uk] Talking USB player

?

This rather small and inexpensive player has had a mention recently on the Talking News Federation email list.? As you will see from the description pasted below, it does quite a lot for the ?19.95 asking price.? A downside? is it has a micro USB socket

?

Its smallness probably means those with dexerity problems might find it hard going to operate.

?

Many will be aware the Sovereign players formerly sold by a UK retailer are no more so talking newspapers are scouting around for a cheap replacement.? Other have been found but often the lack of a facility to skip between folders on a pendrive is lacking.? Many TNs use folder structures to separate the main news part of their papers from any additional magazine material they may offer.

?

Ray.

?

Talking USB Player

This compact 2” cube USB player will allow you to listen to audiobooks and music. With its sleek design, lightweight and rechargeable battery, it is ideal for travel. The unit has a built in FM radio, bluetooth connectivity, a micro SD card reader and an AUX port. The device has a loudspeaker and a headphone port for private listening. You can change modes with the touch of a button. The device will announce its current position ie: “play via USB”. The unit requires a Micro USB lead (included), and it supports MP3, MP4 and WAV files.