h a l f b a k e r yWhy not imagine it in a way that works?
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requirements:
- what it does:
shuffle plays all MP3 files, then turns self off
- keep it simple, rugged & cheap, this device will
probably be dropped off a bed, stolen or lost..
- battery powered
- cigar box form factor is OK, ie small size not required
- single 3"
minimum internal speaker, headphone jack not desired
- accepts USB mem-stick for audio - please provide
physical room for this so the stick does not break off
( maybe a compartment & door )
- minimal user interface:
- either a 1 line display or none (use LED status lights?)
- a single momentary push button to turn on or off
- a knob-style volume control
- linux OS (or busybox) in firmware would be nice, but would
leave that up to you
my motivation:
have a mentally ill relative that is bright, but refuses
to deal w/electronic interfaces - I want him to listen
to MP3 audio lectures (I provide the media when I visit)
Chumby
http://www.chumby.com/
Maybe your relative could use this? [Noexit, Nov 18 2008]
Sansa Shaker
http://blog.wired.c...bargain-hunted.html
Sound like just what you're looking for. [phoenix, Dec 20 2008]
[link]
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Dunno, this is almost just a recipe for electronics, since so many permutations of mp3 players exist already. |
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If you disabled the auto-lock, and glued all the keys but the mp3 key off on my phone, it would be exactly what you suggest, even down to the memory stick (although excluding the knob) |
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But in the meantime I'd paint bright colors on the plus and minus buttons on an ipod shuffle and just use that. I'd imagine a big bright buttons would work just as well as turning a knob? |
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Is this idea not completely unlike the iPod Shuffle? |
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> ..Philips digital photo frame.. |
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I'm using that photo frame for this purpose now-
but it takes about 5(?) clicks or so after power
up before it's running the playlist - maybe someone will
chime in say there's and autostart -on power up feature.. |
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"I provide the media when I visit" |
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You could burn it to CD and loan him a portable CD player.
yeah, not new tech but you said "cigar box form factor is
OK, ie small size not required" Most of those things have a
"shuffle" switch. If you consider this, might I suggest a
SONY portable CD player- their portables are very rugged
and the batteries last a very long time. I still have one of
theirs, still sounds like it's fresh out of the box. |
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Creative labs makes a player called the "Zen Stone Plus"
and the newer version of this player has a speaker built in.
It has rechargeable batteries and a simple, "black and blue"
screen. |
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Coby also makes some "stick" style players which run on 1
AAA battery and have just a status light, but they don't
have built in speakers. |
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Ipod shuffle also a possibility but once again no speaker
built in |
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I'm still bunning this idea because this would be very
helpful to mentally impaired people, and if a player like
this were made, it would also appeal to people who just
want something not-so-advanced. |
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