Being an engineer, I try to find solutions. This morning, my wife asked if she could use the six-year old iPod that I threw away in our bedroom trash at her workplace as a music source. I related to her that I felt that I understood her goals, and that the ancient iPod would not function. I further related that it did not work in our home at all, would not connect reliably, did not have cloud connectivity (Apple), and could not use the current apps for Pandora.

I'm not sure what to make of a spouse who goes through the trash, inadvertently noting the shiny silver object therein, and trying to make something positive out of it. That's another concern.

The question at hand is -- what do I purchase for my wife? I will try to summarize the customer requirements, which did take a long time to relate.
1. Connects reliably to a wireless network
2. Not as big as a boom box
3. Not as loud as a boom box
4. Not desirable, as the cleaning people will take it at night for their very own
5. Displays at least one internet music source, such as Pandora, iHeart Radio, etc.
6. Operates on battery power (no outlets nearby, for whatever reason, in a health clinic)
7. Rechargeable
8. Affordable

I would really like to buy one or more of these things so that my wife does not take my Bose equipment to her work and leave her iPhone there, connected to the Bose, overnight.

The latest and most expensive iPhone with a Bose docking station at work and at home, and with a new car sound system that wirelessly links to said iPhone in a brand new Mercedes convertible.

You asked what she wants.

Grace mondo

https://gracedigital.com/shop/mondo

Wife has one and likes it. Battery would need charged daily. Needs access to internet wifi. You can use cell phone for remote.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
This morning, my wife asked if she could use the six-year old iPod.....

You should of said Yes and made a run for it.

If you have an old smartphone and some computer speakers, that would work. I picked up a Lumia 640 a couple of years ago for $30 when they were clearing them out. It can still connect to wifi and I downloaded the Iheartradio app from the store. I plug the computer speakers into the 3.5mm headphone jack for stereo sound. It accepts microsd cards, so you can put as many mp3s on it as you need. If you can't power the computer speakers, she can just use headphones.

I use a Bluetooth speaker that is synced to my smart phone. I have about 15gb of music on my smart phone as well different streaming services.

They come in a price range for any budget and the smart phone goes with me when I leave for the day.

Sonos Play 1

Walmart sells a Straight Talk iPhone 5s for $99 or you can get the iPhone se for $149 and it has a faster processor and more storage. Just don't activate the phone and use it as an iPod.

quote:

What sound source does my wife want?

One that plays back: "Yes, dear...", consistently and reliably on demand.

I agree, an old smartphone with no sim card.

Does everything.

Could even throw in a $10 bluetooth speaker

You don't have an old smart phone laying around?

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:

The question at hand is -- what do I purchase for my wife? I will try to summarize the customer requirements, which did take a long time to relate.
1. Connects reliably to a wireless network
2. Not as big as a boom box
3. Not as loud as a boom box
4. Not desirable, as the cleaning people will take it at night for their very own
5. Displays at least one internet music source, such as Pandora, iHeart Radio, etc.
6. Operates on battery power (no outlets nearby, for whatever reason, in a health clinic)
7. Rechargeable
8. Affordable

I would really like to buy one or more of these things so that my wife does not take my Bose equipment to her work and leave her iPhone there, connected to the Bose, overnight.

My suggestion involves an Amazon Alexa type product. See warning toward end of post.

The amazon tap checks all requirements except #4. Potentially #4 could be lowered with camouflage of some sort.

Warning it is an amazon echo (alexa) device. Insert potential privacy issue arguments.

Why not just her existing phone + a bluetooth speaker?

If it's six years old it may very well be a much sought after 5th Gen iPod with the Wolfson computer chip in it. If it is in fact one of the, sell it on fleabay. They used to sell pretty quick and were very desirable. I happened to purchase one of these 5th Gens just off the shelf at an Apple store. I would learn later it contained the Wolfs chip which is claimed to be the best sounding iPods.

I know sound is very subjective but for what it's worth, many seem to favor these 5th Gens. Mine sounds pretty good. Here's a link to being able to distinguish these iPods from others..
How to Determine if you have a 5th Gen iPod w/Wolfson sound chip

quote:

Originally posted by rusbro:
Why not just her existing phone + a bluetooth speaker?

That would be my solution.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

quote:

Originally posted by rusbro:
Why not just her existing phone + a bluetooth speaker?

That would be my solution.

I gotta agree, this makes the most sense to me.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
I'm not sure what to make of a spouse who goes through the trash, inadvertently noting the shiny silver object therein, and trying to make something positive out of it. That's another concern.

The question at hand is -- what do I purchase for my wife?

I'd say she's a keeper. I'll take frugal and practical any day over frivolous and high maintenance, and twice on Sunday.

In the same situation except for the night crew concern which I don't know how to address unless she has a place to secure the device.

I'm buying a an 8" Fire HD tablet. Just waiting for the sale (although it's somewhat reasonable at $97 w/o ads).

quote:

Originally posted by Warhorse:

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

quote:

Originally posted by rusbro:
Why not just her existing phone + a bluetooth speaker?

That would be my solution.

I gotta agree, this makes the most sense to me.

Yeah, this question makes little sense. I can't believe she doesn't have a work computer or cellphone made in last 10 years. Either one can play MP3 files or be used to stream music.

For speakers we are using these Exogear ones. Way too loud for work, but awesome. Can buy two and use them in stereo, great for camping/beach. For office just get cheap $20 Bluetooth one on Amazon.

For cheap Bluetooth speakers with all day battery, the Anker Soundcore leads the pack on Amazon right now.

The $30 Soundcore 1 should be plenty loud for a workplace. If you want something louder for rocking out at home, they have a 20 Watt version, and an updated Soundcore 2 with improved bass.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d...YM%2BEeWL&ref=plSrch

you can listen to spotify or pandora for free on a computer. wired connection to a speaker and voila.

or, her phone and a bluetooth speaker.