Uploaded May 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In 2006 the world was introduced to the Playaway - an all-in-one audiobook player, where each device held a single pre-loaded book which could not be swapped out. It seems inevitable that this would be another of those single-use gadgets replaced by the smartphone...and yet in 2022 the Playaway lives on. In this video you'll see a demo and discover how and why it survived.
Here’s a link to a teardown - it turns out the audio format isn’t MP3 after all - mitsake.net/2019/06/playaway-audiobook-teardown
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Over Time - Vibe Tracks youtu.be/VSSswVZSgJw
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ThatSFXGuy - youtu.be/5M3-ZV5-QDM
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All links are Affiliated where possible.
When you click on links to various merchants posted here and make a purchase, this can result in me earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network & Amazon.
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Regularly asked question
Q) Why are there comments from days ago when this video has just gone live today?
A) Patrons patreon.com/techmoan usually have early access to videos. I'll show the first version of a video on Patreon and often the feedback I get results in a video going through further revisions to improve it. e.g. Fix audio issues, clarify points, add extra footage or cut extraneous things out. The video that goes live on youtube is the final version. If you want to see the videos early too, you can sign up to Patreon here: patreon.com/techmoan
In 2006 the world was introduced to the Playaway - an all-in-one audiobook player, where each device held a single pre-loaded book which could not be swapped out. It seems inevitable that this would be another of those single-use gadgets replaced by the smartphone...and yet in 2022 the Playaway lives on. In this video you'll see a demo and discover how and why it survived.
Here’s a link to a teardown - it turns out the audio format isn’t MP3 after all - mitsake.net/2019/06/playaway-audiobook-teardown
------------- Merchandise -----------------
Updated Techmoan Merchandise is now available. etsy.com/uk/shop/nerdkeyz?ref=seller-platform-mcnav§ion_id=37136753
--------------- SUBSCRIBE ------------------
youtube.com/user/Techmoan?sub_confirmation=1
------------- SUPPORT ---------------
This channel can be supported through Patreon
patreon.com/techmoan
*******Patrons usually have early access to videos*******
---------- Outro Music -----------
Over Time - Vibe Tracks youtu.be/VSSswVZSgJw
------ Outro Sound Effect ------
ThatSFXGuy - youtu.be/5M3-ZV5-QDM
------ AFFILIATED LINKS/ADVERTISING NOTICE -------
All links are Affiliated where possible.
When you click on links to various merchants posted here and make a purchase, this can result in me earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network & Amazon.
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to AMAZON Sites (including, but not limited to Amazon US/UK/DE/ES/FR/NL/IT/CAN)
Regularly asked question
Q) Why are there comments from days ago when this video has just gone live today?
A) Patrons patreon.com/techmoan usually have early access to videos. I'll show the first version of a video on Patreon and often the feedback I get results in a video going through further revisions to improve it. e.g. Fix audio issues, clarify points, add extra footage or cut extraneous things out. The video that goes live on youtube is the final version. If you want to see the videos early too, you can sign up to Patreon here: patreon.com/techmoan
