I am trying to figure out the least expensive iOS device that can handle both the BARD library app and the Kindle app. My uncle, who is both blind and mostly deaf and who generally has resisted devices newer than the iPod Shuffle recently expressed an interest in the accessibility of Kindle books and was also intrigued when I told him that my iPhone also could be used to play books from the NLS via the BARD app. He is not interested in getting a phone and his budget is quite limited, I am hoping that if we can find a device that is inexpensive enough my mother and I could chip in to help him get it. I know the basics of the variety of devices in Apple's lineup, but I don't know which one's are too far out of date to run a recent enough version of iOS to do the job. Any advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris
Comments
The only thing I can think of
The only thing I can think of is the iPod Touch (I don't know the last generation), or the iPad.
But even the iPod touch i think it is quite expensive only for that purpose, around $229 plus taxes.
Equipment
Yes, the iPod Touch is the least expensive compatible device in Apple's line-up. But also -- you may want to visit ICanConnect.org and read about a pilot program that distributes equipment to deafblind individuals free of charge. If your uncle is mostly deaf, he probably qualifies - the program does support people with varying degrees of hearing loss, I think. The program provides communications equipment, which could include an internet-capable device and perhaps a braille display.
Memory on Device
Keep in mind that while the iPod touch is the least expensive device, memory is always at a premium for iOS. So BARD books will take up quite a bit of memory; I would recommend to 32 GB models at the least. You might be able to find them in the refurbished store. Or you could wait and hope they dropped the 16 GB model next year.
I have an iPad 2, and it runs the BARD app just fine.
The $50 Kindle
... is worth considering. It's inappropriate to talk about Android derivitaves here, but I use mine for Kindle, Bookshare, Bard and Learning Ally and keep all that data on a Micro SD card. I use my iPHONE for everything else, and don't have lots of books eating up my precious memory! The Kindle is the cheapest mainstream tablet that is accessible from a reliable manufacturer and lets you keep your ebooks and audio books on SD cards!