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Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

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Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#131

Post by idolaspecus »

acalzycalzy wrote: post #31

Just use your phone. If the temptations of checking your phone are that high that it’s affecting your life than I’m willing to wager their are other issues, too

I don't have specific references on hand, but I'm pretty sure that your wager would be ill-begotten. Studies have shown that simply abstaining from distraction takes mental energy (for lack of a better term) and reduces performance in a number of ways. This suggest that designing your environment ahead of time (what OP is trying to do) is more efficient/productive than resolving to maintain disciple in the moment. Again, I don't have specific references on hand, but I know that this phenomenon is discussed in both Thinking Fast and Slow[1] and the Craving Mind[2].

[1]https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11468377-thinking-fast-a...

[2]https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32714199-the-craving-min...

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#132

Post by pembrook »

Buy an unlocked iPhone 12 mini with no phone plan, problem solved. Or, simply leave airplane mode on at all times and hide all your other non-podcast apps in a folder on the home screen. Or, use a VPN app to kill internet access to every app except for your podcast player.

If you haven't tried Castro (podcast app) on iOS yet, you'll never go back after using that app. I assure you, the delightful user experience will far outweigh the nostalgic fuzzies of podcast listening with an old school MP3 player.

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#133

Post by virtual_void »

mywacaday wrote: post #84
cvburgess wrote: post #68

Have you tried Mighty? It supports anything on Spotify. I use it for podcasts daily and I sync playlists of music to it as well for offline listening. It’s been great for my 11 year old mentee as I can update his Mighty with new music every week when we meet and not worry about giving him a screen that can get him in trouble at school or with his mom. https://bemighty.com/

How does the menu work with no screen?

If you’re referring to the hamburger-looking button then that is the playlist button.

Hitting it cycles through the playlists and speaks the name of each one.

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#134

Post by ahstilde »

I'd be any old android device without a sim and load up pocketcasts on it. You can connect to wifi to download everything and disconnect otherwise.

I've used the OUKITEL WP5 as a device when going on multi day hikes. 8k battery + water resistance.

https://www.pocketcasts.com/

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#135

Post by dalke »

thebean11 wrote: post #103
dalke wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Which means then figuring out that process" means I have no experience with Android or the available apps. :S But it certainly is a nice looking device, and I like the homage to the tape cassette Walkman I had in the 1980s.

Eh, if you're technical enough to be posting on hackernews I don't think it will take you more than 15 minutes to install a podcasting app and figure out the software

While I could make all sorts of technical points, like how HN's interface is little different from trn I used in the 1990s, or how I dislike tinkering (as Godel_unicode commented), I'll point out one that's not so technical.

I am detail oriented, which contributes to the quality of the software I develop. That level of attention to detail extends to other areas. For example, I read all of the license agreements I'm told that I have to assent to. This makes it really hard for me to agree to all of the automatic software updates, which update the license agreement, so I disable updates until I have the time to read the new license.

(As an aside, OmniGroup has the best proprietary license I've read, and I've commended them for it. And I've complained to ORCId that they claim their signup takes only seconds, which means they don't expect people to read their license.)

So one reason I prefer FOSS is that I don't to read the #%^#$^ licenses.

If I switch to the Android ecosystem, and sign up to Google's app store, I expect have to read pages of legalese - which I don't care to do.

I understand that most people are not this way. I hope you understand that some people are not like you.

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#136

Post by idolaspecus »

Related: I'm looking for essentially the same product as OP but with the additional requirement that it's hackable. I'm trying to build a device that can play and record audio with a single hardware button that toggles between modes. For example, I'd like to be able to be listening to a podcast, push a single button once, record a memo to myself, push the same button again once, and be back to listening to the podcast.

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#137

Post by Shared404 »

idolaspecus wrote: post #136

Related: I'm looking for essentially the same product as OP but with the additional requirement that it's hackable. I'm trying to build a device that can play and record audio with a single hardware button that toggles between modes. For example, I'd like to be able to be listening to a podcast, push a single button once, record a memo to myself, push the same button again once, and be back to listening to the podcas…

Based on what you're describing, I'd think you'd have to build it yourself.

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#138

Post by dalke »

wishinghand wrote: post #121
dalke wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Which means then figuring out that process" means I have no experience with Android or the available apps. :S But it certainly is a nice looking device, and I like the homage to the tape cassette Walkman I had in the 1980s.

Ok you might need to meet us halfway here or DIY a device to do this for you.

Or, thanks to comments from several other here, I've found a device which appears to meet my needs. Already ordered it too.

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#139

Post by dalke »

Godel_unicode wrote: post #126
thebean11 wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Eh, if you're technical enough to be posting on hackernews I don't think it will take you more than 15 minutes to install a podcasting app and figure out the software

I think you're missing an important part of the use case. People who like iPods in particular are usually deep into "it just works" territory and have a visceral aversion to tinkering. It sounds like you have a pro-tinkering mindset, possibly subconsciously, and are discounting the degree to which some people hate tinkering with their personal setup.

Yup. I don't like to tinker. Don't like to tweak. Don't like to configure. It should indeed "just work."

Re: Ask HN: What can replace my iPod for podcast listening?

#140

Post by 019341097 »

dalke wrote: post #7
haspoken wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple does show they will do battery service on a 5g nano for $59, so it might be worth checking. Ifixit has a detailed guide, you might find a third party iphone repair shop willing to do the work. https://support.apple.com/ipod/repair/service/pricing

Nicely spotted (re: Apple battery service)! I saw the iFixit rating of "very difficult" and its need for specialized tools I don't have (at https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPod+Nano+5th+Generation+Batter... ) and say "nope!"

A local certified Apple repair shop would likely be able to do this for you. I'd recommend calling ahead to ask, and volunteering to order the battery yourself possibly. They will have the tools, expertise, and time.
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