The beauty with audio books is that you have more than one option for listening to them.

There are many options when it comes to listening to to audio books, you are not forced into one option.

If you are someone who likes listening while seated on your favorite couch or seated on your desk, listening to your audio book on your cassette tape player (if the audio book is in audiocassette tape, of course) is the option for you.

But if you have a desktop or laptop computer, you might prefer listening to your audio book from it.

It is most likely that your PC already has some software for playing audio books. It's not very likely but, if your personal computer does not have any, you can still download them for free on the Internet. The 2 best digital audio players that you can get completely free to download from the Internet include:

- RealOne Player: This can be downloaded free of charger here; http://www.Real.com

- Windows Media Player: This is available for download free of charge on their website - http://www.Microsoft.com

But if you would rather listen to your audio book while doing your household chores, dancing, exercising, jogging, commuting to and fro work, etc, then you would need portable audio playback devices that you can carry around and listen to, preferably with an earphone.

With the ever expanding market of portable audio playback devices, it goes to show that more and more people are now using them, because of the wonderful benefits they provide.

CD players and CD Rom devices are the most common form of these portable audio playback devices. You can carry these around with you while you do your household chores, exercise, jog or commute to and fro work.

The more advanced form of portable players, used for playing audio books, include;

— Audio-ready PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants). Some of these PDAs include Casio CASSIOPEIA and Compaq iPAQ. Both can be pretty expensive, costing as much as about $500 for the Compaq iPAQ and about $400 for the Casio CASSIOPEIA.

— Compatible Portable Audio Players. Some of these include the Creative’s NOMAD Jukebox 3 and the SONICblue’s Rio 900. These are cheaper than PDAs. For example, you can get the SONICblue's Rio 900 for about $250 from sites such as Sonicblue.com

Finally, like I said in the start of this article, whatever tool you decide to use in listening to your audio books will depend largely on “how” you prefer listening to your audio books.

For example, for the "young and restless" teenagers they can't do without the PDAs. You wouldn't either, if you were their age, right? The 'good old' cassette tape could not be a better format for the "aged and rusty", who would rather just be sat on their favorite sofa!

A really good place that I have come across to download audio books is Spoken Network. You can get these at:

www.spokennetwork.com?cam=ama0017

Vestalife Ladybug Portable Speaker Dock for iPod Red Black

There’s simply nothing quite like the Vestalife Ladybug. Flip out the speaker “wings” on this sleek, high-tech device, and you have an iPod-based entertainment system featuring a built-in subwoofer for lots of bass, a digital amplifier, and one of the coolest soft-touch finishes you’ve ever experienced. Sit it on a counter. Take it with you. The Vestalife Ladybug is designed to be part of your life.

Flip out the speaker “wings” on this sleek, high-tech device, and you have an iPod-based entertainment system.

Click to enlarge. Fold-out speakers and controls in front…

…and the subwoofer, battery compartment, input, and outputs in back. Click to enlarge.

iPod Dock
The Ladybug includes an iPod universal dock, which is compatible with any iPod with a dock connector. It also charges your iPod while it’s connected.

Ladybug Sound
Thanks to digital amplifier technology and a built-in subwoofer, this Ladybug has a bark and a bite, giving you full sound in a small package.

Ladybug Motion
Because the Ladybug can run on both AC (US only) or battery power (4 AA batteries not included), you can take it wherever you go. Rock out at the beach, at a picnic, wherever you want to take your tunes. Just throw your Ladybug in the included Tote bag and be on your way.

If you’re forgetful, no worries–the battery-saving automatic shut-off will help you keep from draining those batteries. When you’re at home, stay on the couch, and use the included remote for controlling your Ladybug.

Ladybug Versatility
If you have a bunch of different devices in addition to your iPod, use the auxiliary-in jack to connect them–non-docking iPods, CD players, MP3 players, and more. You also can send video to your TV from video-enabled iPods using the AV output for sharing your favorite clips or photos. Finally, use the USB connector for synchronizing a docked iPod with your computer.

What’s in the Box
Vestalife Ladybug Portable Speaker Dock for iPod (Red/Black), AC adapter, remote control, five iPod dock adapters, audio patch cord, Tote bag, user guide, warranty card.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars love it!!
i am 30+ and i love this little bug! the only draw back i see (or hear) is in higher volume heavy bass songs. it has 5 lit up volume indicators each has a range of 5 sound increases before the next. it is perfect for a small room but not for a large one. it does get surprisingly loud and remains quite clear unless im listenin to biggie or uncle al or nas but my simon an garfunkel beatles and al green del phonics are all beautiful out of this small machine I listen to a lot of different kinds of music and i recommend you put your ipods’ EQ to the OFF position for normal use and with some old school rap or new school hip hop or even buju banton put the EQ on bass reducer and you will get alot of enjoyment outta this little bug for years to come…

4 Stars great look, not too great of a system
people say that the volume is amazing, its not that good, when my friends come over it doesn’t blast enough (im not just saying that because im 17) also it does not work with my ipod that good, i have the nano 4th generation. they said that it should work with it, i don’t know if my ipod is flipping on me because of the speaker or not, the remote is also extremely annoying, you have to hold it a certain way to change the song or whatever, I’m mainly sticking with it because its too cute!

5 Stars Excellent sound from one-of-a-kind device
I had no idea if this device would work with my 3G iPhone, but given the price, and cool design, I decided to give it a try. Upon opening the box, I found a card from Vestalife that says the Ladybug “uses the latest circuitry to make it compatible with your iPhone.” The card also says that Vestalife recommends that one place the iPhone in Airplane Mode to prevent audio interference.

When I docked my iPhone, I got a pop-up message on the phone that informed me that the device (the Ladybug) is not compatible with the phone; the message allowed me to place the phone in Airplane Mode.

The sound the ladybug puts out is terrific! I couldn’t want for a better sound from such a device. It’s cute, it’s cool, it’s small, and it’s portable. Other than the non-compatibility with my iPhone (which I really don’t care about) I have no hang-ups about this device. I highly recommend it.

I bought the Ladybug at Costco for $86.99. I got the blue Element Skateboards special edition model; this model sells on Vestalife’s web site for $125.

5 Stars Great Ipod Dock
For the price, this is a great little speaker system for your Ipod. I have the Ipod touch, and use this docking station in my baby’s nursery to play him music at night, and fun music during the day. It puts out some serious sound for being so little. We will enjoy this for years! I like that we can take it with us, as it is very portable, and doesn’t take up much space on the bookshelf. It’s a cute little system, and very unique in style! We have the red and black one, and it does resemble a ladybug. Very cute!

1 Star Crushed Box
I ordered this item for my mother for Christmas and once it came to me, the box was completely smashed. I guess that the item is okay, but based on the box, I’m not really sure if it will be. It came in bubble wrap, but wow!…the box was really smashed all to pieces. I was really disappointed. I would be embarrassed to give my mother this gift in such shape, but it fits perfectly in the box that it should originally come in. Very disappointed. Have emailed the company, but never heard back.

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INSTEN Black Folding Stereo Speaker for iPod video iPod nano iPod Photo iPod Mini and iPod Shuffle Microsoft Zune

Unique fold-up design offers protection and portability for your on the go music needs. Made to fit your Apple iPod Video, Touch, Classic, and nano models. Also works with other MP3 players and CD players.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars A nice little alarm clock!
The sound quality is well above what I expected for such a small device. It actually sounds quite good!

I’ve started using it (coupled with a USB wall charger) as my alarm clock. Much nicer to wake up to a song than to BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP.

Overall, excellent for it’s price. Portable. Kind of wonky when it comes to the ipod touch because it just won’t fit (the audio out is on the bottom, not the top) but you can invert it without much ado. Alternatively, just lay it down next to it.

I like it. Four stars (not five because, well, I very rarely give 5 stars for anything)

5 Stars Great for work!
If you are looking at this to get for your desk at work, get it. For the price, you can’t beat it. I have a Zune 120gig that I didn’t want to use headphones with all the time (I like to hear what is going on around me too) so I bought these. They don’t “dock” to your player, it has a headphone plug you can use. Also, mine came with a USB > Power adapter cord, so i set it next to my work computer and that USB port powers the speakers! The packaging they come in is a plain white box, but for the price, I would rather it be cheaper and not have fancy packaging. Plays nice and quiet or loud. I recommend it for work!

5 Stars Great litle speakers……
As I have said in the title great little speakers, if they came in white, they would make a killing. I got mine and I bought as a joke because one of my family members bought a freaking boss Ipod speaker for $380.00 I was shock I thought she got fool by the sales rep. So now I have this speakers the cool thing is that you can used them as notebooks speakers, the audio cord attach to it is really short since it’s made only to be able to reach the Ipod next to it, so it makes hard to place next my labtop because the audio jack in my computer is in the front of the compute not in the side like it should be.

Great things aboutit

#1 It comes with a usb power cord so you can plug to your computer.

#2 It has a good bass, for the price.

#3 Extremely portable it looks like a mini boom box.

#4 Run on AAA batteries which happen to be very cheap, I have not testing how long the last but guessing by the amount of sound they put out I’m pretty sure the batteries will last that long, regardless, even if that is the case this is a good buy for sure.

I guess the only con, is that at it’s loudest setting it does not sound as great, but again this speakers are good.

I wonder what would they sound like if the casing was made of wood.

5 Stars These are GREAT!!!!!
We looked at tons of ipod speakers,from these to the $300 dollar ones. For the low price of these plus shipping these little babies are FANTASTIC!!! Order placed received 3 days later! Amazingly fast! If you want $49 ipod speakers or $300 ones, i’m sure you would receive what you pay for. If you just need something to get the job done, for example speakers for the kids Christmas ipods, unless you really need to pump out something really loud these are perfect for one user or for a desk top! My kids love these and so do I!!!

4 Stars Great value, customer service
The first speakers we received were defective. A spring was missing from the battery compartment. I emailed the company, and within 24 hours they responded and immediately sent me another. I was very pleased with the customer service! The new speakers came, and they’re very good. They’re not like an expensive speaker system, but for the price and convenience of such a small unit, they’re an excellent value. My teenager is very happy with them.

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Altec Lansing inMotion COMPACT iM310 Portable Speakers for iPod and MP3 Players

Don’t keep your iPod’s music to yourself. Share it with the Altec Lansing IM310 inMotion iPod Dock/Speaker. It provides outstanding acoustic volume and audio performance for your iPod/MP3 player. With powerful, crystal-clear sound and surprisingly deep bass, the foldable design is ready to let you share your tunes anywhere you like via AC or battery power.

Input jack for second device connection, including CD, DVD, and MP3 players Universal dock recharges iPod Big, deep-bass speakers for a surprisingly deep sound Weighs only 2 pounds and 6 ounces

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star Save your money….
After purchasing this product, partly based on the some of the favorable customer reviews, I am very disappointed with these speakers.

The speakers sound very muffled and the bass sounds terrible! save your money and go with something else…

4 Stars portable speaker fort IPod
Altec Lansing inMotion COMPACT iM310 Portable Speakers for iPod and MP3 Playersso far, a good product…..bought for workplace so employees could bring their own music as oposed to the radio…..being enjoyed by all

1 Star DO NOT BUY FROM SOUNDS PERFECT
I ordered this product from SOUNDS PERFECT over a month ago. SOUNDS PERFECT never delivered the product. SOUNDS PERFECT would never answer my emails. I have filed a claim with Amazon with respect to SOUNDS PERFECT.

Please never, never order any product from SOUNDS PERFECT!

Frankly, I am surprised that Amazon would partner with a firm such as SOUNDS PERFECT. At least I have the assurance that Amazon is investigating this serious matter and will do what is necessary to protect me.

4 Stars Good sound, good value
These speakers sound great and can get LOUD. Everything about them is great, the only thing I wish they had was a remote. Overall, I am very happy with this purchase and would reccommend the product.

4 Stars Excellent value
You will be extremely hard presssed to find a better compact speaker solution for you IPOD for around $60. The sound is very fully spectrumed without any harsh frequency and you’d really have a spend a good bit more to get a better sound. Having both an AC or DC powered option and the amount of volume you can squeeze out of the unit makes it a tremendous value.

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